JP2007279623A - Image projection system and projector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily make appropriate video signal correction in response to a user's use environment in a projector. <P>SOLUTION: Setup data on timing to perform calibration processing is stored in a memory, and the personal computer is instructed to output the image calibration signals at the timing matching the setup data (S3). The calibration is automatically made by using the image calibration signals inputted from the personal computer (S8). Thus, appropriate image signal correction is made in response to a user's use environment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image projection system including a personal computer and a projector that projects an image based on a video signal input from the personal computer, and a projector.

  Conventionally, a projector corrects a video signal input from an input device such as an AV device or a personal computer, and then displays an image based on the corrected video signal on a screen or the like. The video signal correction data is generated by a calibration process executed at the time of factory shipment. Therefore, the video signal correction data described above may be optimal for the input device and projector used in the calibration process at the factory, but in the user usage environment, the actual image display (projection) Etc.) are not optimal for input devices and projectors used in the above.

Therefore, in the conventional projector, the user can change the brightness, contrast, and the like using a setting menu for image correction.
However, the above-described method requires complicated processing using the image correction setting menu every time the user corrects the brightness and contrast of the image.

  Also, in a conventional projector, a user executes a data generation process (calibration process) for correcting an appropriate video signal according to the use environment in the user's use environment using a menu or the like. There are known ones that can perform (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  However, the projector as described above has a problem that the calibration process cannot be easily performed because the user needs to perform a complicated process every time the calibration process is performed.

In addition, in the field of personal computers connected to a network, there is known one in which a profile for each display is created in order to receive a service for accurate color reproduction through the network (see Patent Document 3). However, according to the present invention, the complexity of the processing necessary for executing the calibration processing cannot be eliminated.
JP 2003-50572 A JP 2004-228948 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-60082

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and can easily perform calibration processing and easily correct an appropriate video signal according to a user's usage environment. An object of the present invention is to provide an image projection system and a projector capable of performing the above.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 comprises a personal computer and a projector that projects an image based on a video signal input from the personal computer, and the personal computer adjusts an image projected by the projector. A calibration image recording means for recording a calibration image used for the output, and an output control means for controlling the output of the calibration image recorded in the calibration image recording means to the projector. An image generating unit that generates an image using light from the light source and a video signal input from the personal computer, a projection lens for projecting the image generated by the image generating unit, and the projection lens To detect the brightness etc. of the calibration image projected by An optical sensor, image correction data generation means for generating image correction data based on a signal output from the optical sensor, and image correction data generated by the image correction data generation means. Image correction data storage means for storing, video signal correction means for correcting a video signal input from the personal computer based on image correction data stored in the image correction data storage means, and image correction data generation An image projection system comprising: an execution control unit that controls execution of a calibration process including a process of generating image correction data by the unit and a process of storing the image correction data in the image correction data storage unit The projector stores setting data of timing for executing the calibration process. The execution control means on the projector side instructs the output control means of the personal computer to output a video signal of the calibration image at an execution timing according to the content of the setting data, and the personal computer The calibration process is automatically executed by using the video signal of the calibration image input from.

  The invention of claim 2 comprises a personal computer and a projector that projects an image based on a video signal input from the personal computer, and the personal computer captures a calibration image used for adjusting an image projected by the projector. Calibration image recording means for recording, and output control means for controlling the output of the calibration image recorded in the calibration image recording means to the projector, the projector comprising a light source and light from the light source And an image generation means for generating an image using the video signal input from the personal computer, a display means for displaying the image generated by the image generation means, and a calibration image displayed by the display means A sensor for detecting brightness and the like from the sensor Based on the received signal, image correction data generation means for generating image correction data, image correction data storage means for storing image correction data generated by the image correction data generation means, and the image Based on the image correction data stored in the correction data storage means, the video signal correction means for correcting the video signal input from the personal computer, and the image correction data generation processing by the image correction data generation means, And an execution control means for controlling execution of a calibration process including a storage process of the image correction data in the image correction data storage means. In the image projection system, the execution control means on the projector side includes: Instructs the output control means of the personal computer to output the video signal of the calibration image. Using the image signals of the calibration images, in which to automatically execute the calibration process.

  The invention of claim 3 is connectable to a personal computer, and is generated by a light source, an image generating means for generating an image using light from the light source and a video signal input from the personal computer, and the image generating means. Display means for displaying the image, a sensor for detecting the luminance or the like of the calibration image displayed by the display means, and data for image correction based on the signal output from the sensor. The image correction data generation means to be generated, the image correction data storage means for storing the image correction data generated by the image correction data generation means, and the image correction data stored in the image correction data storage means Based on this, video signal correcting means for correcting the video signal input from the personal computer, and image correction data by the image correction data generating means An execution control unit that controls execution of calibration processing including generation processing and storage processing of the image correction data in the image correction data storage unit, wherein the execution control unit is provided in the personal computer. An instruction is given to output the video signal of the calibration image, and the calibration process is automatically executed using the video signal of the calibration image input from the personal computer.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the calibration process is automatically executed using the video signal of the calibration image input from the personal computer at the execution timing according to the contents of the setting data. Thus, it is possible to easily correct an appropriate video signal according to the user's usage environment.

  According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, the calibration process is automatically executed using the video signal of the calibration image input from the personal computer, so that the appropriate processing according to the use environment of the user can be achieved. The video signal can be easily corrected.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, embodiment described below does not cover this invention, and this invention is not limited only to the following form.

  FIG. 1 shows an image projection system according to the present embodiment. The image projection system 8 includes a projector 1 and a notebook personal computer 2 connected to the projector 1. The projector 1 is an apparatus that generates an image based on a video signal input from an input device such as an AV device or a personal computer, and projects and displays the image on a screen or the like. The projector 1 and the personal computer 2 are connected by a USB cable 3 for transmitting a USB (Universal Serial Bus) signal and an RGB cable 4 for transmitting a video signal of a VGA (Video Graphics Array).

  As shown in the figure, the projector 1 has a projection lens 7 (display means) for projecting an image and an infrared ray for receiving various instruction signals from a remote controller (not shown) on the front surface of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 6. And a signal receiving unit 28. Further, the projector 1 includes an operation unit 38 including buttons for instructing various operations on the upper surface of the housing 6, and an optical sensor for detecting brightness and the like of the calibration image projected by the projection lens 7. The color light sensor 9 is.

  FIG. 2 shows an electrical block configuration of the projector 1. The projector 1 includes a microcomputer 10 that controls the entire apparatus, an AD converter 11 that converts image data in the form of analog signals into image data in the form of digital signals, and an S video (Separate Video) terminal 35 or a composite video terminal 36. A video decoder 12 that converts moving image data in the form of an analog signal input from the digital signal into moving image data in the form of a digital signal, and a DMD controller chip 13 that mainly controls a DMD (digital micromirror device) 16. It has. The AD converter 11 receives the VGA signal input from the RGB terminal 32 and the component signal input from the component terminal 33, and converts the image data in the analog signal format into image data in the digital signal format.

  Further, the projector 1 includes an image processing IC 40 for performing various image correction processes, a mirror driving waveform generator 14 for generating a waveform of a micromirror driving signal in the DMD, a personal computer 2 and a video. A DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 15 for temporarily storing image data obtained by assembling a video signal input from an input device such as a camera via the AD converter 11 or the video decoder 12, and a DMD controller chip DMD 16 (image generating means) that generates an image based on the image data transferred from 13 and the light incident from the lamp 18 is provided. The DMD controller chip 13 reads the image data that is the basis of the image generated by the DMD 16 from the DRAM 15 and transfers it to the DMD 16 by the DDR (Double Data Rate) method.

  The projector 1 also stores a memory 17 (setting data storage means) that stores data such as programs used by the microcomputer 10 and an ARM software 31 that is a program for controlling the DMD controller chip 13. A flash memory 30. The memory 17 stores a USB driver PG 24, a calibration execution control program (calibration execution control PG) 25, and calibration process execution timing setting data 26. The calibration execution control PG 25 controls execution of calibration processing including processing for generating image correction data (correction LUT (look-up table)), storage processing of these data, and the like. The calibration execution control PG 25 and the microcomputer 10 correspond to execution control means in the claims.

  Furthermore, the projector 1 includes a lamp 18 serving as a light source, a color wheel 19 for color separation, a motor driver 20 for rotating the color wheel 19, and positioning for feedback control of the rotation of the color wheel 19. Sensor 21, a rod integrator 22 for making the illuminance of light passing through the color wheel 19 uniform, and a reflection optical system 23 for guiding the light emitted from the rod integrator 22 to the DMD 16.

  Next, the setting data 26 in the memory 17 will be described. When the user selects a desired execution timing from the calibration processing execution timing candidates displayed on the menu using the operation unit 38 or a remote controller (not shown), the microcomputer 10 changes the selected content to the selected content. The setting data 26 of the timing of execution of the corresponding calibration process is generated, and this setting data 26 is stored in the memory 17. The calibration process execution timing candidates are “every VGA signal input (every time VGA signal input is started)” and “every time the VGA input is changed (with different resolutions). 3) each time another type of VGA signal is received) and “only when the first VGA signal is input after the device is started”.

  Next, functions of the image processing IC 40 will be described with reference to FIG. The image processing IC 40, based on the signal output from the color light sensor 9, a correction LUT generation unit (image correction data generation unit) 41 that generates a correction LUT that is data for image correction, and a correction LUT in the correction LUT. It has a video signal correction unit 42 (video signal correction means) that corrects the video signal input from the personal computer 2 based on the data. In the configuration example shown in the figure, the video signal correction unit 42 includes a correction LUT storage unit 43 (image correction data storage unit) that stores the correction LUT. Need not be arranged in the video signal correction unit 42, and may be arranged in the memory 17, for example.

  FIG. 4 shows an electrical block configuration of the personal computer 2. The personal computer 2 includes a microprocessor 51 that controls the entire apparatus, an HDD 52 (calibration image recording means) that stores various programs and data, and a memory 53 into which the programs and data in the HDD 52 are loaded. ing. The program stored in the HDD 52 includes a USB driver PG 61 and a calibration image output PG 62 for controlling processing for outputting a calibration image to the projector 1. Further, the data stored in the HDD 52 includes calibration image data 63 used for adjusting an image projected by the projector 1. The calibration image output PG 62 and the microprocessor 51 correspond to output control means in the claims.

  The calibration image output PG 62 and the calibration image data 63 are installed in the HDD 52 of the personal computer 2 together with the USB driver PG 61.

  Further, the personal computer 2 includes an input / output interface unit 54, an operation unit 55 such as a keyboard, a monitor unit 57, a network interface unit 56, a USB terminal 58, and a VGA terminal 59. The microprocessor 51 transmits and receives control signals to and from the projector 1 side via the USB terminal 58, and transmits VGA format video signals to the projector 1 side via the VGA terminal 59.

  Next, a method for controlling the execution of the calibration process by the projector 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, a case will be described in which the calibration process execution timing selected by the user is “only when the first VGA signal is input after the apparatus is started”. After startup, the projector 1 is connected to the personal computer 2 with the USB cable 3 and the RGB cable 4 (YES in S1), and the microcomputer 10 on the projector 1 side confirms the input of the VGA signal from the personal computer 2 (YES in S2). ) Based on the setting data 26 in the memory 17, the microcomputer 10 on the projector 1 side determines that the timing for executing the calibration process has arrived, and issues a start command for instructing the start of output of the calibration image. It transmits to the personal computer 2 (S3). When the microprocessor 51 on the personal computer 2 side receives this start command (S4), it starts outputting the video signal of the calibration image from the VGA terminal 59 to the projector 1 (S5), and also through the USB terminal 58, the projector 51 A calibration execution command is transmitted to 1 (S6). When the microcomputer 10 on the projector 1 side receives this calibration execution command (S7), it executes a calibration process (S8), and uses the image processing IC 40 to correct a correction LUT based on the signal output from the color light sensor 9. Generation and storage.

  When the above calibration process is completed (YES in S9), the microcomputer 10 on the projector 1 side transmits a calibration complete command to the personal computer 2 (S10). When receiving the calibration complete command (S11), the microprocessor 51 on the personal computer 2 side transmits a normal video signal from the VGA terminal 59 to the projector 1 (S12). When the projector 1 receives a normal video signal from the personal computer 2 (S13), the projector 1 projects a normal image based on the normal video signal (S14).

  As described above, according to the image projection system 8 according to the present embodiment, the calibration process is performed using the video signal of the calibration image input from the personal computer 2 at the execution timing according to the contents of the setting data 26. Executed automatically. Thereby, the correction | amendment of the suitable video signal according to a user's use environment can be performed easily.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the embodiment described above, the user can select the execution timing from the calibration timing execution candidates displayed on the menu. However, the user can always select the execution timing. There is no need to perform the calibration process automatically every predetermined period. Further, the method for selecting the timing for executing the calibration process is not limited to the method for selecting from the menu displayed above. For example, a button for switching the timing for executing the calibration process is provided on the remote control. A method in which the user switches the execution timing using the switching button may be used. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a configuration using a cable 60 (for example, an M1-D / A cable) in which a USB cable and an RGB cable are integrated may be used.

1 is a perspective view showing a projector and a personal computer that constitute an image projection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an electrical block configuration diagram of the projector. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the image processing IC in FIG. The electrical block block diagram of the said personal computer. 7 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling execution of calibration processing by the projector. The perspective view which shows the projector and personal computer which comprise the image projection system by other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Projector 2 Personal computer 7 Projection lens (display means)
8 Image projection system 9 Color light sensor (optical sensor, sensor)
10 Microcomputer (execution control means)
16 DMD (image generation means)
17 Memory (setting data storage means)
18 Lamp (light source)
25 Calibration execution control PG (execution control means)
41 LUT generator for correction (image correction data generation means)
42 Video signal correction unit (video signal correction means)
43 LUT storage unit for correction (image correction data storage means)
51 Microprocessor (output control means)
52 HDD (calibration image recording means)
62 Calibration image output PG (output control means)

Claims (3)

A personal computer and a projector that projects an image based on a video signal input from the personal computer;
The personal computer
Calibration image recording means for recording a calibration image used for adjustment of an image projected by the projector;
Output control means for controlling the output of the calibration image recorded in the calibration image recording means to the projector,
The projector is
A light source;
Image generating means for generating an image using light from the light source and a video signal input from the personal computer;
A projection lens for projecting the image generated by the image generation means;
An optical sensor for detecting brightness and the like of the calibration image projected by the projection lens;
Image correction data generation means for generating image correction data based on a signal output from the optical sensor;
Image correction data storage means for storing data for image correction generated by the image correction data generation means;
Video signal correction means for correcting a video signal input from the personal computer based on image correction data stored in the image correction data storage means;
And an execution control unit that controls execution of a calibration process including a process of generating image correction data by the image correction data generation unit and a process of storing the image correction data in the image correction data storage unit. ,
In an image projection system,
The projector further includes setting data storage means for storing setting data of timing of execution of the calibration process,
The execution control means on the projector side instructs the output control means of the personal computer to output the video signal of the calibration image at the execution timing according to the contents of the setting data, and is input from the personal computer An image projection system, wherein the calibration processing is automatically executed using a video signal of a calibration image. A personal computer and a projector that projects an image based on a video signal input from the personal computer;
The personal computer
Calibration image recording means for recording a calibration image used for adjustment of an image projected by the projector;
Output control means for controlling the output of the calibration image recorded in the calibration image recording means to the projector,
The projector is
A light source;
Image generating means for generating an image using light from the light source and a video signal input from the personal computer;
Display means for displaying the image generated by the image generation means;
A sensor for detecting brightness and the like of the calibration image displayed by the display means;
Image correction data generating means for generating image correction data based on the signal output from the sensor;
Image correction data storage means for storing data for image correction generated by the image correction data generation means;
Video signal correction means for correcting a video signal input from the personal computer based on image correction data stored in the image correction data storage means;
And an execution control unit that controls execution of a calibration process including a process of generating image correction data by the image correction data generation unit and a process of storing the image correction data in the image correction data storage unit. ,
In an image projection system,
The execution control unit on the projector side instructs the output control unit of the personal computer to output the video signal of the calibration image, and uses the video signal of the calibration image input from the personal computer to An image projection system characterized in that processing is automatically executed. It can be connected to a computer,
A light source;
Image generating means for generating an image using light from the light source and a video signal input from the personal computer;
Display means for displaying the image generated by the image generation means;
A sensor for detecting brightness and the like of the calibration image displayed by the display means;
Image correction data generating means for generating image correction data based on the signal output from the sensor;
Image correction data storage means for storing data for image correction generated by the image correction data generation means;
Video signal correction means for correcting the video signal input from the personal computer based on the image correction data stored in the image correction data storage means;
An execution control unit that controls execution of calibration processing including generation processing of image correction data by the image correction data generation unit and storage processing of the image correction data in the image correction data storage unit; Projectors
The execution control unit instructs the personal computer to output a video signal of the calibration image, and automatically executes the calibration process using the video signal of the calibration image input from the personal computer. A projector characterized by the above.

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