JP2007047529A - Image display device and laser equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image display device that, with simple constitution, prevents a laser beam from being emitted outside in excess of requirement for display and that enables reliability to be improved over the entire apparatus, and also to provide laser equipment. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus includes: a light source unit for emitting a laser beam to a projection surface 52; a scanning means for scanning a laser beam emitted from the light source unit; an external force detecting means 5 for detecting an external force imparted to a member 52 which is arranged on the extension of the optical path of the laser beam emitted from the light source unit; and a light control means for stopping or reducing the laser beam emitted to the projection surface 52 upon detection of the external force by the external force detecting means 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display device and a laser device that perform image display by projecting light emitted from a light source device onto a projection surface.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a rear projection type projector that displays an image by scanning a laser beam on a screen (projected surface) has been proposed. In this projector, since the complete black can be displayed by stopping the supply of laser light, for example, display with higher contrast is possible compared to a projector using a liquid crystal light valve. Further, since the laser beam has high directivity, the projection optical system can be simplified. Therefore, the projector can be made small and simple. Furthermore, it can be easily colored by combining a plurality of laser beams such as red, green, and blue, and since the laser beam has high monochromaticity, color display with high color purity is possible.
By the way, when an image is displayed using laser light, it is necessary to give sufficient consideration to safety so that laser light more than necessary for display is not irradiated to the outside of the apparatus. For this reason, a technique related to a safety mechanism of a projector has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

The rear projection display device described in Patent Literature 1 includes a plurality of transparent conductive films provided on a transmissive screen, and a voltage determination block that determines whether or not a voltage is applied to each transparent conductive film. Yes. And if the transmissive screen is damaged accidentally or intentionally, the transparent conductive film in the damaged area will not conduct, so the voltage judgment block turns off the output from the laser beam light source. It is.
In addition, the projector disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a screen monitoring unit that receives reflected light from the entire screen, and a beam light supply stop that stops the supply of beam light from the laser light source in accordance with the output from the screen monitoring unit. Part. When the screen monitoring unit detects a screen abnormality, the beam light supply stop unit stops the laser light source oscillation. Further, the laser light emitted from the laser light source is shielded by using a shutter as the beam light supply stop unit.
JP 2002-281532 A JP 2004-341210 A

However, in Patent Document 1, since the output from the laser beam light source is turned off after the transmissive screen is damaged, there is a possibility that more laser light than necessary for display is emitted to the outside. Further, since the projector described in Patent Document 2 detects the state of the entire screen using the screen monitoring unit, the entire apparatus becomes larger and more complicated, resulting in an increase in cost.
The image display device has been described above as an example, but other laser devices such as a laser processing device have similar problems.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and with a simple configuration, the laser beam more than necessary for display is prevented from being irradiated to the outside, and the reliability of the entire apparatus is improved. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image display device and a laser device that can be used.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means.
An image display device according to the present invention includes a light source device that emits laser light toward a projection surface, a scanning unit that scans the laser light emitted from the light source device, and an optical path of the laser light emitted from the light source device. An external force detecting means for detecting an external force applied to a member disposed on the extension of the light, and a light control means for stopping or reducing the laser light emitted to the projection surface when the external force is detected by the external force detecting means. It is characterized by providing.

  The inventor of the present application has paid attention to the fact that an external force is often applied to a member before the member constituting the apparatus is damaged. In the image display device according to the present invention, the laser light emitted from the light source device is scanned by the scanning unit and projected onto the projection surface. Then, when an external force is applied to a member arranged on the extension of the optical path of the laser light emitted from the light source device for some reason, the laser light emitted to the projection surface is stopped or dimmed by the light control means. . Therefore, the external force detection means detects that an external force has been applied to the member, that is, detects a warning of the abnormality of the apparatus, and the light control means controls the light source device, so measures should be taken before the abnormality actually occurs. become. Therefore, it is simpler to detect whether an external force has been applied than to detect whether it has actually been damaged. And the reliability of the entire apparatus can be improved.

Further, the image display device of the present invention is a screen in which the member forms the projection surface,
It is preferable that the external force detection means includes a switch unit that is provided at one end of the screen and is connected or disconnected according to the movement of the screen when an external force is applied to the screen.

  In the image display device according to the present invention, the laser light emitted from the light source device is scanned by the scanning unit and projected onto the screen. Then, when an external force is applied to the member arranged on the extension of the optical path of the laser light emitted from the light source device, that is, the screen for some reason, the switch portion is cut and emitted to the screen by the light control means. Stop or reduce the laser beam. Accordingly, since it is possible to detect that an external force is applied to the screen by the switch unit, it is possible to prevent a laser beam more than necessary for display from being irradiated to the outside with a simple configuration.

  In the image display device according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the external force detection unit includes a hinge that is provided at the other end of the screen and rotates the screen when an external force is applied to the screen.

  In the image display device according to the present invention, the laser light emitted from the light source device is scanned by the scanning unit and projected onto the screen. When an external force is applied to a member disposed on the extension of the optical path of the laser light emitted from the light source device, that is, the screen for some reason, the screen rotates via the hinge. As a result, the switch unit is disconnected, and the laser light emitted to the screen is stopped or reduced by the light control means. Therefore, when an external force is applied to the screen, the screen rotates via the hinge. Therefore, the screen can be prevented from being damaged with a certain amount of external force.

In the image display device of the present invention, the light control unit is provided in a part of the power supply circuit of the power source of the light source device, and the external power supply circuit is in an open state when an external force is applied to the member. It is preferable that the switch part is also used as the external force detecting means.
In the image display device according to the present invention, when an external force is applied to the member for some reason, the external force detection means is provided in a part of the power supply circuit of the power source of the light source device. Open state. Thereby, since the power from the power source is not supplied to the light source device, the laser beam is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the laser light more than necessary to display from the light source device from being reliably irradiated to the outside, and to improve the reliability of the entire device.

In the image display device according to the aspect of the invention, the light control unit may include a light shielding member capable of shielding the laser light projected onto the projection surface, and the laser light emitted from the light source device may be shielded. It is preferable to control the operation of the light shielding member.
In the image display device according to the present invention, the laser light emitted from the light source device is scanned by the scanning unit and projected onto the projection surface. When an external force is applied to the member for some reason, the light control unit controls the operation of the light shielding member so as to stop the laser light emitted to the projection surface by the light shielding member. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the laser light more than necessary to display from the light source device from being reliably irradiated to the outside by the light shielding member, and to improve the reliability of the entire device. Note that the oscillation of the light source device itself may be stopped before or after the laser beam is stopped by the light shielding member.

The image display device of the present invention further includes a breakage detection unit that detects whether or not the member is broken. When the breakage detection unit detects breakage of the member, the light control unit detects the laser beam. Is preferably stopped, or the laser beam is kept dimmed.
In the image display device according to the present invention, by detecting whether or not the member is damaged by the breakage detecting means, the light source device is restored when the member is broken but the external force is lost. Risk can be avoided.

In the image display device according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the breakage detection unit includes an imaging unit that images a part of the projection surface while scanning the projection surface.
In the image display device according to the present invention, when the external force is detected by the external force detection means and the laser beam is stopped or dimmed, the image pickup unit picks up an image while scanning the projection surface. And when abnormality has not arisen in the to-be-projected surface, the laser beam inject | emitted from the light source device is projected on a to-be-projected surface. Thereby, it is possible to reliably detect abnormality of the projection surface. Therefore, in the present invention, since the projection surface is scanned by the imaging unit after the laser beam is stopped or dimmed, the projection surface can be verified over a certain amount of time. The entire projected surface may not be detected at once. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the laser beam more than necessary for display from being emitted to the outside.

  The laser apparatus of the present invention includes a light source device that emits laser light and a scanning unit that scans the laser light emitted from the light source device, and the laser equipment that scans the laser light emitted from the light source device. The external force detecting means for detecting an external force applied to a member disposed on the extension of the optical path of the laser light emitted from the light source device, and when the external force is detected by the external force detecting means, the external force is emitted to the projection surface. And a light control means for stopping or dimming the laser light.

  In the laser apparatus according to the present invention, the laser light emitted from the light source device is scanned by the scanning unit and projected onto the projection surface. Then, when an external force is applied to a member arranged on the extension of the optical path of the laser light emitted from the light source device for some reason, the laser light emitted to the projection surface is stopped or dimmed by the light control means. . Therefore, it is detected that an external force is applied to the member by the external force detecting means, that is, the light source device is controlled by detecting a sign of abnormality of the device, so that measures are taken before the abnormality actually occurs. Therefore, with a simple configuration, it is possible to prevent external laser light from being irradiated to the outside and improve the reliability of the laser device.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing used for the following description, the scale of each member is appropriately changed to make each member a recognizable size.

[First embodiment of projector]
Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As a projector according to the present embodiment, a description will be given using a rear-type laser projector that emits laser light from the back of the screen.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the projector (image display device) 1 is provided in the housing 2 and scans the laser light emitted from the light source device 10 in a two-dimensional direction. A mirror device (scanning means) 20, a projection lens 30 that projects laser light scanned by the mirror device 20 onto a reflection mirror 51, a light source device 10, and a control unit 40 that controls the mirror device 20 are provided. The reflection mirror 51 is provided on the housing rear portion 2 b of the housing 2 facing the screen (projected surface) 52 provided on the housing front portion 2 a of the housing 2, and is emitted from the projection lens 30. Laser light is projected onto the screen 52. The projection lens 30 enlarges the laser beam scanned by the mirror device 20 and projects it onto the reflection mirror 51.

  The mirror device 20 is a device that forms an image by scanning laser light emitted from the light source device 10 in a two-dimensional direction. The operation of the mirror device 20 is performed by the control unit 40 so as to synchronize with the image output of, for example, red, green, and blue laser diodes (not shown) as the light source device 10.

In the present embodiment, as the external force detection means, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hinge 3 is provided at the lower part (the other end) 52b of the screen 52 and rotates the screen 52 when an external force is applied to the screen 52. And an interlock switch (switch unit) 5 provided at an upper portion 52a (one end) of the screen 52 and connected or disconnected according to the rotation of the screen 52.
The hinge 3 is provided on the housing 2 so as to connect the housing front portion 2 a and the screen 52. When an external force is applied to the screen 52 from the outside by the hinge 3, the screen 52 can rotate toward the housing rear part 2 b of the housing 2 with the hinge 3 as a fulcrum. In addition, an L-shaped stopper 4 that restricts the amount of movement of the screen 52 is provided on the top of the housing 2.

Next, the interlock switch 5 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the interlock switch 5 is provided on the upper part 52 a of the screen (member) 52, and is connected to the screen 52 disposed on the extension of the optical path of the laser light emitted from the light source device 10. An external force applied from the outside is detected. The external force in this case is assumed to be an external force when a person or an object hits the screen 52 and the screen 52 is damaged.
As shown in FIG. 2, the interlock switch 5 is in close contact with the housing front part 2 a of the housing 2 through the interlock switch 5 when the screen 52 is in a normal state. The interlock switch 5 is in the ON state. The screen 52 can be attached to and detached from the housing 2 by a magnet or the like provided on the housing front portion 2a of the housing 2.
On the other hand, when an external force is applied to the screen 52 and the screen 52 becomes in an abnormal state, the screen 52 is separated from the housing 2 as shown in FIG. ing.
When the interlock switch 5 is turned off, the screen 52 automatically returns to the housing front part 2a of the housing 2 by pressing a button or the like. Further, the elastic member (spring or the like) may be arranged so as to be biased so that the screen 52 returns naturally even when an external force is applied to the screen 52.

  When the external force is detected by the interlock switch 5 (when the screen 52 is in an abnormal state), that is, when the interlock is turned off, the control unit 40 stops or reduces the laser light emitted to the screen 52. As the light control means, for example, a laser driver (not shown) is provided.

Next, the operation of the projector 1 of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described.
When the state of the screen 52 is normal, that is, when the interlock switch 5 is in the ON state, the light source device 10 is turned on by the laser driver. On the other hand, when an external force is applied to the screen 52 and the interlock switch 5 is in an abnormal state, that is, the interlock switch 5 is turned off, an abnormal signal is input to the laser driver. Upon receiving this abnormal signal, the laser driver stops or attenuates the laser light emitted from the light source device 10. Thereafter, the screen 52 automatically returns to the housing front part 2 a of the housing 2.

According to the projector 1 according to the present embodiment, it is detected that an external force is applied to the screen 2 by the interlock switch 5, that is, a sign of abnormality of the projector 1 is detected, and the light source device 10 is controlled by the laser driver. Measures will be taken before any abnormalities actually occur. Therefore, rather than detecting whether the screen 52 is actually damaged, it is simpler as a device to detect whether an external force has been applied, and more laser light than is necessary for display is emitted to the outside. This makes it possible to improve the reliability of the projector 1 as a whole. Further, even if an external force is applied to the screen 52, the screen 52 can be prevented from being damaged if the external force is a certain level by rotating the screen 52 via the hinge 3.
In the present embodiment, the screen 52 is configured to rotate via the hinge 3, but the hinge 3 is not necessarily required.

[Second Embodiment of Projector]
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In each embodiment described below, portions having the same configuration as those of the projector 1 according to the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
The projector 55 according to the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the configuration of the control unit 40 and a breakage detection unit that detects whether or not the screen is broken are provided.

  In the present embodiment, as a breakage detection unit, as shown in FIG. 4, a camera (imaging unit) 53 that images a part of the screen 52 while scanning the screen 52 is used. When the breakage of the screen 52 is detected by the camera 53, a laser driver (light control means) 11 described later stops the laser light or keeps the laser light dimmed. .

Next, the configuration of the control unit 40 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.
When the external force is detected by the interlock switch 5 (when the screen 52 is in an abnormal state), that is, when the interlock is turned off, the control unit 40 stops or reduces the laser light emitted to the screen 52. A light control means (laser driver) 11 is provided. The laser driver 11 controls the light source device 10 based on an electrical signal from the image recognition and detection circuit 43. In other words, the laser driver 11 turns on the light source device 10 when the electrical signal output from the image recognition and detection circuit 43 is a normal signal.

Further, when the interlock switch 5 is normal, the start and return detection circuit 41 that sends a drive signal to the camera driver 42 that controls the camera 53 and the image captured by the camera 53 are recognized, and the state of the screen 52 is verified. The image recognition and detection circuit 43 is provided. The determination signal verified by the image recognition and detection circuit 43 is sent to the camera driver 42 and the laser driver 11.
Further, the camera 53 is provided with a scanner that can move in two axial directions, and the camera 53 images the sensing area A with the scanner, as shown in FIG. Scanning is possible.

  Further, the image recognition and detection circuit 43 is configured to send a drive signal for driving the camera driver 42 to the camera driver 42 even when the power switch 6 that activates the projector 1 is turned on. That is, when the power switch 6 that activates the projector 1 is turned on, the state of the screen 52 is verified.

The operation of the control unit 40 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of a procedure for verifying the state of the screen 52 of the projector 1.
First, since the screen 52 may be damaged while the projector 1 is turned off, the state of the interlock switch 5 is confirmed when the power switch 6 is turned on (step S1). When the interlock switch 5 is normal (Step S 1, “Normal”), a drive signal is sent from the activation and return detection circuit 41 to the camera driver 42. The camera driver 42 receives this drive signal, drives the camera 53 and the scanner, and detects the state of the screen 52 (step S2). And the image imaged with the camera 53 is recognized by the image recognition and detection circuit 43, and verification is performed (step S3). This verified determination signal is always sent to the camera driver 42 and the laser driver 11, and when the state of the screen 52 is normal (step S3, "normal"), the camera 53 is stopped (step S4), and the laser driver 11 turns on the light source device 10 (step S7). On the other hand, when the state of the screen 52 is abnormal (step S3, “abnormal”), after stopping the camera 53 (step S5), an error display is performed (step S6).

  Then, after the screen 52 becomes normal and is activated, the control unit 40 always detects the state of the interlock switch 5 (step S8). Here, when the interlock switch 5 is in an abnormal state (step S8, “abnormal”, that is, when the interlock switch 5 is in an OFF state), an abnormal signal is input to the laser driver 11. The laser driver 11 receives the abnormal signal. In response, the laser light emitted from the light source device 10 is stopped or attenuated (step S9), and then the screen 52 automatically returns to the housing front part 2a of the housing 2. Thereby, the interlock switch 5 is operated. Is in a normal state, the process returns to step S1, and the above-described flow is executed.

  According to the projector 55 according to the present embodiment, when the external force is detected by the interlock switch 5 and the laser beam is stopped or dimmed, the camera 53 captures an image while scanning the screen 52. Abnormalities can be detected. Therefore, in the present invention, since the screen 52 is scanned by the camera 52 after the laser beam is stopped or dimmed, the projection surface can be verified over a certain amount of time. It is not necessary to detect the entire projection surface at once. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the laser beam more than necessary for display from being emitted to the outside. Further, by detecting whether or not the screen 52 is damaged by the camera 53, the risk that the light source device 10 is restored when the external force is lost although the screen 52 is damaged is avoided. be able to.

[Third embodiment of the projector]
Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The projector 60 according to the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a switch unit (light control means) 61 is provided instead of the interlock switch 5.

As shown in FIG. 8, the switch unit 61 is provided in a part of a power supply circuit 63 of a power supply 62 that supplies power to the light source device 10. And the screen 52 is closely_contact | adhered to the housing | casing front part 2a via the switch part 61 in the normal state.
On the other hand, when an external force is applied to the screen 52 and the screen 52 is in an abnormal state, the screen 52 is separated from the housing 2 as shown in FIG. The power supply from the power source 62 to the device 10 is cut off. That is, the switch unit 61 also serves as an external force detection unit.

  In the projector 60 according to the present invention, when an external force is applied to the screen 52 for some reason, the switch unit 61 is provided in a part of the power supply circuit 63 of the power supply 62 of the light source device 10. Becomes open. Thereby, since the power from the power source 62 is not supplied to the light source device 10, the laser beam is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the laser light more than necessary for display from the light source device 10 from being reliably irradiated to the outside, and to improve the reliability of the projector 60 as a whole.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, the projector described above is used as a laser device that has a light source device that emits laser light and a scanning unit that scans the laser light emitted from the light source device, and that scans the laser light emitted from the light source device. As described above, the laser beam drawing device, laser processing machine, laser microscope, and other laser devices having a structure in which the light source device is disposed in a casing having a sealed space extend the optical path of the laser light emitted from the light source device. An external force detecting means for detecting an external force applied to a member disposed above; and a light control means for stopping or dimming the laser light emitted to the projection surface when the external force is detected by the external force detecting means. It is also possible to adopt a configuration provided with a laser device.

  In this configuration, the laser light emitted from the light source device is scanned by the scanning unit and projected onto the projection surface. Then, when an external force is applied to a member arranged on the extension of the optical path of the laser light emitted from the light source device for some reason, the laser light emitted to the projection surface is stopped or reduced by the light control means. . Therefore, the external force detection means detects that an external force has been applied to the housing, that is, detects the precursor of the device abnormality and controls the light source device, so that measures are taken before the abnormality actually occurs. Therefore, with a simple configuration, it is possible to prevent the laser beam more than necessary from being irradiated to the outside and improve the reliability of the laser device.

Further, although the laser driver 11 is used as the light control means and the laser light is stopped or dimmed, the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 10, the projector 70 includes a light shielding member 71 capable of shielding the laser light projected on the screen 52, and the laser light emitted from the light source device 10 by the light control means provided in the control unit 40. The operation of the light shielding member 71 is controlled so that is shielded from light.
In this configuration, when an external force is applied to the screen 52 for some reason, the operation of the light shielding member 71 is controlled by the above-described laser driver 11 so that the laser light emitted to the screen 52 by the light shielding member 71 is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the laser light more than necessary to display from the light source device 10 from being reliably irradiated to the outside by the light shielding member 71, and to improve the reliability of the projector 70 as a whole. Note that the oscillation of the light source device 10 itself may be stopped before or after the laser beam is stopped by the light blocking member 71.

The interlock switch 5 is not limited to the screen 52, and is only required to detect an external force applied to a member disposed on the extension of the optical path of the laser light emitted from the light source device 10, and is provided, for example, at the housing rear portion 2b. An external force applied to the reflecting mirror may be detected.
Further, although the interlock switch 5 is used as the external force detection means, the present invention is not limited to this, and a pressure sensor or the like may be used.

1 is a plan view showing a projector according to a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a normal state of a screen of the projector in FIG. 1. It is the schematic which shows the state where the screen of the projector of FIG. 1 is abnormal. It is a top view which shows the projector which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control means of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the sensing area | region with respect to the screen of the camera of FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the projector of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the state with the normal screen of the projector which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the state where the screen of the projector which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention is abnormal. It is a top view which shows the modification of the projector which concerns on each embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,60,70 ... Projector (image display apparatus), 2 ... Housing | casing, 2a ... Housing front part, 2b ... Housing | casing rear part, 3 ... Hinge, 5 ... Interlock switch (switch part), 10 ... Light source device, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Laser driver (light control means) 52 ... Screen (member), 53 ... Camera (imaging part), 61 ... Switch part (external force detection means), 71 ... Light-shielding member

Claims (8)

A light source device that emits laser light toward the projection surface;
Scanning means for scanning the laser light emitted from the light source device;
An external force detecting means for detecting an external force applied to a member disposed on an extension of the optical path of the laser light emitted from the light source device;
An image display device comprising: a light control unit that stops or reduces the laser light emitted to the projection surface when an external force is detected by the external force detection unit. The member is a screen forming the projection surface;
2. The image according to claim 1, wherein the external force detection unit includes a switch unit that is provided at one end of the screen and is connected or disconnected according to the movement of the screen when an external force is applied to the screen. Display device.   The image display apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the external force detection unit includes a hinge that is provided at the other end of the screen and rotates the screen when an external force is applied to the screen.   The light control means is provided in a part of a power supply circuit of a power source of the light source device, and is configured by a switch unit that opens the power supply circuit when an external force is applied to the member. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the image display device is also used.   The light control means includes a light shielding member capable of shielding the laser light projected on the projection surface, and controls the operation of the light shielding member so that the laser light emitted from the light source device is shielded. The image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the image display device is characterized. A breakage detecting means for detecting whether or not the member is broken;
2. When the breakage detecting means detects breakage of the member, the light control means stops the laser light or keeps the laser light dimmed. The image display device according to claim 5.   The image display device according to claim 6, wherein the breakage detection unit includes an imaging unit that images a part of the projection surface while scanning the projection surface. In a laser device that has a light source device that emits laser light and a scanning unit that scans the laser light emitted from the light source device, and that scans the laser light emitted from the light source device,
An external force detecting means for detecting an external force applied to a member disposed on an extension of the optical path of the laser light emitted from the light source device;
And a light control means for stopping or dimming the laser light emitted to the projection surface when an external force is detected by the external force detection means.

Images