JP2006140839A - Projector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that the adjustment of white balance is not easy but complicated even though the white balance of an exchanged projection lamp has to be adjusted when projection lamps are exchanged, or the like. <P>SOLUTION: When a lamp exchange sensor 7S detects that projection lamps 7 are exchanged or when a predetermined operation input is performed, a projection device 8 converts an outgoing light from the projection lamp 7 into modulated light for representing an image for white balance adjustment outputted by a pattern output circuit 13 for white balance adjustment, a projection lens 5 projects the modulated light, an optical sensor 14 detects the modulated light, and a driver circuit 4 corrects the gain of each different color of R, G and B of image data on the basis of a detection result to adjust white balance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a projector, and more specifically, the color tone of a projected image, for example, white balance, chromaticity of each color, or the like does not change according to the characteristics of individual image projection lamps (hereinafter referred to as projection lamps). In particular, the present invention relates to a projector that can be adjusted as described above when a projection lamp is replaced.

  In the field of presentation or video projection, a projector is used that projects and displays an image based on image data input from a personal computer or various video playback devices on an external screen or the like. Such a projector modulates light from an internal light source (projection lamp) based on image data by providing image data to a spatial light modulation means, specifically a liquid crystal panel or a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device). The modulated light representing the image is generated, and the generated modulated light is projected to an external screen or the like through a projection lens system.

  By the way, in the projector as described above, a projection lamp for projecting an image is equipped as an important part. However, basically, such a projection lamp is inevitable to be in a so-called bulb-out state as in a normal light bulb. Therefore, as long as other spatial light modulation devices such as DMD or liquid crystal panel, projection lens, etc. can be used semi-permanently, there is no need for replacement. It is necessary to replace them relatively frequently, and the fact is that they are treated as consumables. For this reason, although the white balance of the projection image is adjusted in accordance with the characteristics of the projection lamp installed at the time of factory shipment, there is a problem that the white balance changes every time the projection lamp is replaced.

  In addition, as with ordinary light bulbs, projection lamps for projectors inevitably change in characteristics, such as illuminance, over time, and the white balance of the projected image changes with changes in the characteristics over time. I must.

  Conventionally, when the projection lamp of the projector is replaced, a professional service person uses a dedicated adjustment device to adjust the white balance each time. By the way, although it is not a projector, the invention disclosed by the following patent documents 1 and 2 etc. is known regarding the imaging device (imaging device) which uses a special light source.

The invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 is an invention of an imaging apparatus for a microscope, and is an invention for making it possible to perform imaging with the imaging apparatus by readjusting the white balance when the light source of the microscope is replaced. The invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 is an invention of an ophthalmologic photographing apparatus, which is an invention that displays a warning prompting readjustment of white balance when a so-called strobe tube is replaced. No adjustments are made.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-292208 JP 2001-275984 A

  However, the inventions disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2 aim to make the white balance of an image captured (captured) by an imaging apparatus (imaging apparatus) appropriate, and particularly cited document 1. In the invention disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-208, the color balance of the light source is directly detected, and a gain for each color on the image pickup apparatus side is set based on the detected color balance. For this reason, in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, an appropriate white balance is not always set on the imaging device side.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a projector capable of automatically adjusting the white balance of an actually projected image to an appropriate state.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a projector capable of automatically adjusting the white balance of an image actually projected by the replaced projection lamp to an appropriate state, particularly when the projection lamp is replaced. To do.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a projector capable of automatically adjusting the white balance of an image actually projected at an arbitrary time desired by a user to an appropriate state.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a projector capable of completely eliminating the influence of external light rays in order to achieve the above object.

  In short, the present invention allows the color tone of the white balance adjustment image actually projected from the projection lens to be changed on the emission side of the projection lens when the projection lamp is replaced or when there is an instruction from the user. A configuration is adopted in which white balance is adjusted by detecting and adjusting the gain of each color of the image data based on the result.

  A projector according to the present invention includes an image projection lamp, spatial light modulation means for converting light emitted from the lamp into modulated light representing an image corresponding to image data, and modulated light modulated by the spatial light modulation means. The projector includes: a projection lens that projects an optical image formed by the light source; and a white balance adjustment unit that adjusts a white balance of image data applied to the spatial light modulation unit to a predetermined state. White balance adjustment image data output means for supplying image data to the spatial light modulation means for converting the image data into modulated light representing an image for white balance adjustment, and the spatial light modulation means outputs the light emitted from the lamp to the white balance. When converted to modulated light representing an image for adjustment, the color tone of the modulated light projected from the projection lens is detected. And a white balance setting means for setting the white balance adjustment means to adjust the white balance of the image data to the predetermined state based on the detection result of the color tone detection means. Features.

  In such a projector of the present invention, light emitted from the lamp is converted into modulated light representing an image for white balance adjustment by the image data output from the image data output means for white balance adjustment, and is projected from the projection lens. The color tone of the projection light is detected by the color tone detection unit, and based on the result, the white balance adjustment unit is set to adjust the white balance of the image data to a predetermined state.

  The projector according to the present invention further comprises lamp replacement detection means for detecting that the lamp has been replaced in the above invention, and when the lamp replacement detection means detects that the lamp has been replaced, White balance adjustment image data output means provides the spatial light modulation means with image data for converting light emitted from the lamp into modulated light representing an image for white balance adjustment, and the color tone detection means includes the projection lens. The white balance setting unit adjusts the white balance of the image data to the predetermined state based on the detection result of the color tone detection unit. It is comprised by these.

  In such a projector according to the present invention, in the above invention, when the lamp replacement detecting means detects the replacement of the lamp, the light emitted from the lamp is white balanced by the image data output from the image data output means for white balance adjustment. It is converted into modulated light representing an image for adjustment and projected from the projection lens, and the color tone of the projection light is detected by the color tone detecting means. Based on the result, the white balance adjusting means sets the white balance of the image data in a predetermined state. Is set to adjust.

  Furthermore, the projector according to the present invention further includes a receiving unit that receives an operation input in the above invention, and when the receiving unit receives a predetermined operation input, the image data output unit for white balance adjustment is supplied from the lamp. Image data for converting the emitted light into modulated light representing an image for white balance adjustment is applied to the spatial light modulation means, and the color tone detection means detects the color tone of the modulated light projected from the projection lens, and The white balance setting means is configured such that the white balance adjustment means adjusts the white balance of the image data to the predetermined state based on the detection result of the color tone detection means.

  In such a projector according to the present invention, in the above invention, when the receiving unit receives a predetermined operation input, the light emitted from the lamp is white balance adjusted by the image data output by the image data output unit for white balance adjustment. Is converted into modulated light representing an image for projection and projected from the projection lens, and the color tone of the projection light is detected by the color tone detecting means. Based on the result, the white balance adjusting means sets the white balance of the image data to a predetermined state. Set to adjust.

  Furthermore, the projector according to the present invention further includes a light shielding unit that shields an emission side of the projection lens from the outside, and the color tone detection unit is provided on the projection lens side of the light shielding unit. It is characterized by being.

  In such a projector according to the present invention, in any one of the above-described inventions, the exit side of the projection lens is shielded from the outside by the light shielding unit, and the color detection unit is provided on the projection lens side of the light shielding unit. The color tone detection means does not detect noise light from the outside.

  According to the projector of the present invention as described above, it is possible to automatically adjust the white balance that varies depending on the characteristics of the projection lamp to a predetermined state based on the image data output by the image data output means for white balance adjustment. become.

  According to the projector of the present invention, in the above invention, when the projection lamp is replaced, the white balance can be automatically adjusted to a predetermined state in accordance with the characteristics of the projection lamp after replacement.

  Furthermore, according to the projector according to the present invention, in the above-described invention, it is possible to automatically adjust the white balance to a predetermined state in accordance with the characteristics of the projection lamp at the time point desired by the user.

  Further, according to the projector of the present invention, in any one of the above-described inventions, since the exit side of the projection lens is shielded from the outside by the light shielding means, it is not affected at all by noise from the outside. The effects of the above inventions can be achieved.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration example of an embodiment of a projector according to the present invention. The projector of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 can be applied to a so-called front projection system that projects an image onto an external screen or the like, and a rear projection system that projects from the back of the screen.

  The projector 1 processes a video signal (more specifically, a TV signal) received by a tuner 2 connected to an external antenna 2A by a signal processing circuit 3, and performs a gain adjustment for each color by a driver circuit 4. Thus, the white balance is adjusted according to the characteristics of the projection lamp 7 used at that time. The video signal adjusted by the driver circuit 4 in this way is supplied to the projection device 8. In addition to the tuner 2, it is of course possible to input video signals output from various devices that output video signals, such as video tape decks, DVD players, hard disk recorders, video cameras, etc., to the signal processing circuit 3. is there.

  The projection device 8 includes a spatial light modulation element that optically modulates an image signal, and the spatial light modulation element is in a state corresponding to image data supplied from the driver circuit 4. When the light from the projection lamp 7 is projected onto the spatial light modulation element of the projection device 8, the spatial light modulation is performed by the spatial light modulation element, and the modulated light corresponding to the image data is projected to the outside through the projection lens 5. An image is displayed on a screen (not shown). A liquid crystal panel, DMD (Digital Micromirror Device), or the like can be used as the light modulation element.

  The power supply circuit 6 supplies power to the system control unit 10 described later when connected to an external commercial power outlet (not shown) with a cable 6C and a plug 6P, and a main switch provided in the operation unit 12 described later. When it is turned on, power is supplied to each part of the projector. Therefore, when the plug 6P of the power supply circuit 6 is connected to a commercial power supply, power is supplied to at least the system control unit 10, and when the main switch is turned on, power is supplied to the entire projector 1, and in this state the main switch is When it is turned off, power is supplied only to the system control unit 10. Of course, when the power supply circuit 6 is cut off from the commercial power supply, specifically, when the plug 6P is removed from the outlet of the commercial power supply, the power supply to the system control unit 10 is also cut off.

  The system control unit 10 is an MPU incorporating a ROM 10a, a RAM 10b, etc., and functions as a control means. The ROM 10a stores in advance a control program and constants for executing processing to be described later, and the RAM 10b is used to temporarily store various data generated during execution of the control program by the system control unit 10. Is done.

  In addition to the main switch described above, the operation unit 12 is provided with various keys, buttons, and the like, and is a means for receiving instructions for operating the projector 1 by the user. Adjustment, focus adjustment, keystone adjustment, etc. can be performed. The instruction received by the operation unit 12 is given to the system control unit 10. Although not shown, it is of course possible to operate the projector 1 using a remote control device in which various keys, buttons and the like similar to the operation unit 12 are arranged.

  By the way, the exit side of the projection lens 5, specifically, the side facing the outside of the projector 1 is driven by the shutter drive circuit 11 so that the exit side of the projection lens 5 is controlled by the shutter 15 that functions as a light shielding unit. It is configured to be able to take either a state of being completely closed and shielded from the outside, or a state of being completely opened. Further, an optical sensor 14 as a color tone detecting means for detecting the color tone of the modulated light emitted from the projection lens 5 is provided inside the shutter 15, that is, the side facing the projection lens 5. Therefore, when the shutter 15 closes the emission side of the projection lens 5, the optical sensor receives the projection light projected from the projection lens 5.

  The shutter drive circuit 11 drives the shutter 15 by a control signal from the system control unit 10 to close the position (position where the exit side of the projection lens 5 is closed) and the open position (position where the exit side of the projection lens 5 is opened). ). The open position of the shutter 14 is called a home position. The detection result by the optical sensor 14 is given to the white balance setting circuit 9 through the shutter drive circuit 11.

  Based on the detection result of the optical sensor 14, the white balance setting circuit 9 provides information for setting the gain for each color so that the driver circuit 4 functioning as the white balance adjusting means can set an appropriate white balance. The result is output to the system control unit 10.

  By the way, when the projection lamp 7 is replaced, generally, after opening the door of the lamp chamber in which the projection lamp 7 is housed and taking out the projection lamp that has been mounted so far, a new projection lamp is mounted. Will do. Therefore, for example, it is possible to detect that the projection lamp 7 has been replaced by providing a sensor or the like for detecting that the lamp chamber door has been opened. A sensor for detecting such replacement of the projection lamp 7, that is, a detection signal of the lamp replacement sensor 7 </ b> S as lamp replacement detection means is also given to the system control unit 10. It should be noted that the lamp replacement sensor 7S is not limited to, for example, a configuration that detects that the projection lamp 7 has been replaced by detecting the presence or absence of the projection lamp 7 itself, or the main switch is on. Of course, a configuration for detecting that the projection light from the projection lamp 7 is not detected is also possible.

  The projection device 8 is usually supplied with image data from the driver circuit 4, but the image data of the white balance adjustment pattern stored in advance in the white balance adjustment pattern output circuit 13 under the control of the system control unit 10. Can also be output to the projection device 8. When the image data of the white balance adjustment pattern is supplied from the white balance adjustment pattern output circuit 13 to the projection device 8, the projection device 8 transmits the modulated light of the optical image forming the white balance adjustment image from the projection lens 5. Project.

  In the projector of the present invention having the above-described configuration, when the lamp replacement sensor 7S detects that the projection lamp 7 has been replaced, specifically, the projection lamp 7 (of course, it has been replaced immediately after that). When the later new projection lamp) is turned on, the system control unit 10 gives a control signal to the shutter drive circuit 11 to drive the shutter 15 to move it from the home position to the closed position, and to output a white balance adjustment pattern. A control signal is given to the circuit 13 so that the image data of the white balance adjustment pattern is given to the projection device 8. As a result, the projection lens 5 projects modulated light that forms an image of a white balance adjustment pattern modulated by the projection device 8. However, since the exit side of the projection lens 5 is already closed by the shutter 15, the color tone of the emitted light from the projection lens 5 is detected by the optical sensor 14.

  Incidentally, the shutter 15 is provided for the purpose of blocking (shielding) the incident light from the outside of the projector 1 to the optical sensor 14. Therefore, when the projector 1 is a so-called rear projector, that is, a projector of a type that projects an image from the inside of the housing to the back of the screen provided in one surface of the housing, the shutter 15 is Not so important. Accordingly, such a projector includes only the optical sensor 14 and selectively moves to either a position where the optical sensor 14 can detect the projection light outside the projection lens 5 or a position where the projection light is not blocked. What is necessary is just to comprise so. When it is not necessary to provide the shutter 15, the optical sensor 14 is fixed at an appropriate position, and the projection light from the projection lens 5 is incident on the optical sensor 14 using a reflecting mirror. Is also possible.

  Next, the processing of the projector of the present invention at the time of replacement of the projection lamp 7 executed by the system control unit 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2 showing the processing procedure of the main routine. The processing shown in the following flowchart is stored in advance in the ROM 10a of the system control unit 10 when the plug 6P of the power supply circuit 6 is connected to a commercial power outlet and power is supplied to the system control unit 10. The system control unit 10 executes the control program according to the control program.

  The system control unit 10 stands by until the main switch of the operation unit 12 is turned on (NO in step S11). When the main switch is turned on (YES in step S11), the lamp replacement sensor 7S is turned on. It is checked whether or not (step S12). If the lamp replacement sensor 7S is not turned on (NO in step S12), the system control unit 10 next checks whether or not there is an operation input by operating the operation unit 12 (step S13). If there is no operation input (NO in step S13), the system control unit 10 checks whether or not the main switch is turned off (step S23). If the main switch is turned off (YES in step S23), the system control unit 10 returns the process to step S11 described above.

  If it is determined in step S13 that an operation input has been made (YES in step S13), the system control unit 10 checks whether the operation input is an operation input for instructing white balance adjustment (step S13). S14). If there is an operation input for instructing white balance adjustment (YES in step S14), the system control unit 10 executes a white balance adjustment processing subroutine described later (step S22). If the operation input is an operation input other than the operation input instructing white balance adjustment in step S14 (NO in step S14), the system control unit 10 executes a process according to the operation input (step S15). Then, the process proceeds to step S23 described above.

  On the other hand, when the lamp replacement sensor 7S is on in the previous step S12 (YES in step S12), the system control unit 10 checks whether the main switch is on (step S21). If the main switch is not on (NO in step S21), the system control unit 10 waits until the main switch is turned on (NO in step S21). When the main switch is also turned on when it is determined that the lamp replacement sensor 12 is turned on, or when the main switch is turned on after standby (YES in step S21), the system control unit 10 performs white balance adjustment processing. The subroutine is executed (step S22). When the process returns from the white balance adjustment process subroutine, the system control unit 10 advances the process to step S23 described above to determine whether or not the main switch is turned off.

  The reason for waiting until the main switch is turned on in step S21 described above is that the replacement of the projection lamp 7 is normally performed with the main switch turned off. That is, if it is found in step S12 that the lamp replacement sensor 7S is on, it means that the main switch is turned off once and the projection lamp 7 is replaced. Therefore, the lamp replacement sensor 7S is on. If the main switch is turned on after detecting, it can be considered that the replacement of the projection lamp 7 has been completed.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the subroutine of the white balance adjustment process in step S22 described above. The processing shown in this flowchart is stored in advance in the ROM 10a of the system control unit 10 when the plug 6P of the power supply circuit 6 is connected to a commercial power outlet and power is supplied to the system control unit 10. The system control unit 10 executes according to the control program.

  When an instruction by the operation of the operation unit 12 or a subroutine of white balance adjustment processing by turning on the lamp replacement sensor 7S is started, the system control unit 10 first closes the shutter 15 (step S31). Specifically, the system control unit 10 provides a control signal to the shutter drive circuit 11 to completely close the shutter 15 from the home position (the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 1) to the exit side of the projection lens 5. The position is moved to a light shielding position (a position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1). Thereby, the projection light from the projection lens 5 is completely blocked.

  Next, the system control unit 10 projects a white balance adjustment pattern (step S32). Specifically, the system control unit 10 gives a control signal to the white balance adjustment pattern output circuit 13, whereby the image data of the white balance adjustment pattern is transferred to the projection device stored in the white balance adjustment pattern output circuit 13. Are output to the projection device 8. Accordingly, the projection device 8 modulates the light emitted from the projection lamp 7 into a white balance adjustment pattern and projects the light from the projection lens 5 to the outside. However, as described above, the outside of the projection lens 5 is closed by the shutter 15.

  Next, the system control unit 10 obtains a white balance setting value (step S33). Specifically, the system control unit 10 sets the projection light that forms the white balance adjustment test pattern projected from the projection lens 5 as described above to light positioned inside the shutter 15 (on the projection lens 5 side). The sensor 14 detects the amount of light for each color (R, G, B) and gives the detection result to the white balance setting circuit 9. The white balance setting circuit 9 obtains a gain correction value for each color so that the white balance of the projection light projected from the projection lens 5 by the current projection lamp 7 is appropriate based on the detection result of the optical sensor 14. Specifically, the white balance setting circuit 9 obtains a correction value in the driver circuit 4 for returning to an appropriate white balance based on the light amount for each color component of the projection light detected by the optical sensor 14.

  Next, the system control unit 10 sets a white balance correction value in the driver circuit 4 (step S34). Specifically, the system control unit 10 inputs the correction value obtained by the white balance setting circuit 9 as described above and gives it to the driver circuit 4. As a result, correction values for the respective colors in the driver circuit 4 are set, and the image data supplied from the signal processing circuit 3 to the driver circuit 4 is thereafter corrected in accordance with the correction values and then supplied to the projection device 8. .

  Finally, the system control unit 10 opens the shutter 15 (step S35) and returns to the main routine shown in FIG. The opening of the shutter 15 is executed when the shutter driving circuit 11 moves the shutter 15 to the home position described above by giving a control signal from the system control unit 10 to the shutter driving circuit 11.

  In the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 1, the white balance adjustment pattern data stored in the white balance adjustment pattern output circuit 13 is directly supplied to the projection device 8. May be provided to the projection device 8. In this case, if the white balance adjustment pattern is projected while adjusting the white balance in the driver circuit 4, the detection result in the optical sensor 14 can be immediately fed back to the driver circuit 4. More precise adjustment is possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, a slide-type shutter is used as a light-shielding unit that shields the outside of the projection lens, but it is of course possible to use a hinge-supported cap-shaped light-shielding unit. When the user manually needs the light shielding means, it may be fixed by covering the projection side tip of the projection lens.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the power supply circuit is connected to a commercial power supply, the system controller can be operated by supplying power even when the main switch is off. However, the system control unit may be configured to be operable by a backup power supply (for example, a battery) even when the power supply circuit is not connected to a commercial power supply, and at least to detect that the projection lamp has been replaced.

  As described above, according to the projector according to the present invention, when the projection lamp is replaced, the white balance is automatically adjusted with respect to the new projection lamp after the replacement. become.

  Further, according to the projector according to the present invention, the white balance of the projection lamp can be automatically adjusted at an arbitrary time desired by the user. It is possible to adjust the white balance at any time according to gradual reduction or the like.

  Furthermore, the projector according to the present invention is configured to shield the projection lens from the outside, so that accurate adjustment is possible.

It is a block diagram which shows the internal structural example of one Embodiment of the projector which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence at the time of replacement | exchange of the projection lamp of the projector which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence at the time of replacement | exchange of the projection lamp of the projector which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Projector 4 Driver circuit 5 Projection lens 7 Projection lamp 7S Lamp replacement sensor 8 Projection device 9 White balance setting circuit 10 System control part 12 Operation part 13 White balance adjustment pattern output circuit 14 Optical sensor 15 Shutter

Claims (4)

An image projection lamp, spatial light modulation means for converting emitted light from the lamp into modulated light representing an image corresponding to image data, and an optical image formed by the modulated light modulated by the spatial light modulation means In a projector comprising a projection lens for projecting and white balance adjusting means for adjusting white balance of image data given to the spatial light modulating means to a predetermined state,
White balance adjustment image data output means for giving image data for converting the emitted light from the lamp to modulated light representing an image for white balance adjustment to the spatial light modulation means;
A color tone detection unit for detecting a color tone of the modulated light projected from the projection lens when the spatial light modulation unit converts the emitted light from the lamp into modulated light representing the image for white balance adjustment; ,
A projector comprising: white balance setting means for setting the white balance adjusting means to adjust the white balance of the image data to the predetermined state based on a detection result of the color tone detecting means. Further comprising lamp replacement detection means for detecting that the lamp has been replaced, and when the lamp replacement detection means detects that the lamp has been replaced,
The white balance adjustment image data output means provides the spatial light modulation means with image data for converting light emitted from the lamp into modulated light representing an image for white balance adjustment,
The color tone detection means detects the color tone of the modulated light projected from the projection lens;
The white balance setting means is configured such that the white balance adjustment means adjusts the white balance of the image data to the predetermined state based on a detection result of the color tone detection means. The projector according to 1. In addition, a receiving unit that receives an operation input is further provided, and when the receiving unit receives a predetermined operation input,
The white balance adjustment image data output means provides the spatial light modulation means with image data for converting light emitted from the lamp into modulated light representing an image for white balance adjustment,
The color tone detection means detects the color tone of the modulated light projected from the projection lens;
The white balance setting means is configured such that the white balance adjustment means adjusts the white balance of the image data to the predetermined state based on a detection result of the color tone detection means. The projector according to 1. Further comprising a light shielding means for shielding the emission side of the projection lens from the outside,
The projector according to claim 1, wherein the color tone detection unit is provided on the projection lens side of the light shielding unit.

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