JP2007310194A - Image projector and transportable image projector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To project an image on a desk top easily by projecting the image on a device installation surface, save the trouble of looking for a place to be used as a screen. <P>SOLUTION: An image is projected on an installation surface 9 of the image projector 10 in a first installation position. The image formed by a liquid crystal light valve is magnified by a projection lens 6, and the direction of its light path is changed by a reflective optical element 7. The image is then projected on the installation surface 9 on which the image projector 10 is installed, and a user sees the image reflected on a projection surface 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image projection apparatus, and more particularly to a small, lightweight, thin image projection apparatus and a portable image projection apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an example of an image projection apparatus, an image projection apparatus that synthesizes image light using a light modulation device such as a liquid crystal light valve and enlarges and projects the synthesized image light on a screen through a projection optical system including a projection lens or the like There is. FIG. 15 shows an example of an image projection apparatus. In FIG. 15, 110 is a light source, 113 and 114 are dichroic mirrors, 115, 116 and 117 are reflection mirrors, 122, 123 and 124 are liquid crystal light valves (light modulation means), 125 is a cross dichroic prism, and 126 is a projection lens. Show. The light source 110 includes a lamp 111 such as a metal halide and a reflector 112 that reflects the light of the lamp. The dichroic mirror 113 for reflecting blue light / green light transmits the red light LR and reflects the blue light LB and the green light LG out of the light flux from the light source 110. The transmitted red light LR is reflected by the reflecting mirror 115 and enters the red light liquid crystal light valve 122. On the other hand, of the color light reflected by the dichroic mirror 113, the green light LG is reflected by the dichroic mirror 114 for reflecting green light and enters the liquid crystal light valve 123 for green light. On the other hand, the blue light LB also passes through the dichroic mirror 114 and enters the blue light liquid crystal light valve 124 through the reflection mirrors 116 and 117.

  The three-color light modulated by the liquid crystal light valves 122, 123, and 124 is incident on the cross dichroic prism 125. In this prism, four right-angle prisms are bonded, and a dielectric multilayer film that reflects red light and a dielectric multilayer film that reflects blue light are formed in a cross shape on the inner surface. These dielectric multilayer films combine the three color lights to form light representing a color image. The synthesized light is projected on the projection screen 127 by the projection lens 126 which is a projection optical system, and an enlarged image is displayed.

  However, the above configuration requires a large number of optical components, and it is difficult to reduce the size, weight, and thickness of the device. As a solution to this problem, for example, an LED array in which a plurality of light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as LEDs) capable of emitting red R, green G, and blue B light are arranged in a planar shape or a curved shape. A rod lens array in which a plurality of rod lenses for uniformizing the illuminance of each color light emitted from each LED is arranged in a planar shape or a curved surface, and a PBS that performs polarization conversion of the light emitted from the rod lens array Proposed is an image projection device composed of an array, a liquid crystal light valve that synthesizes an image by modulating each color light emitted from the PBS array, and a projection lens that enlarges and projects the image synthesized by the liquid crystal light valve onto the screen (See Patent Document 1).

  An example in which such a small image projector is built in a portable device is shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 2, FIG. 1 of Patent Document 3, and the like.

JP 2003-295315 A JP 2004-247804 A JP 2003-66528 A "Latest Projector Technology" (CMC Publishing) p77

  Since Patent Documents 2 and 3 adopt a configuration of projecting onto a projection surface (screen surface) facing a projection lens, like a normal projector (image projection device), a wall or screen substantially perpendicular to the projector installation surface. Is required. However, in the case of a projector mounted on a portable device such as a mobile phone, since the device itself is small, it is difficult to obtain the same brightness as that of a normal projector. It is impossible in terms of lens performance.

  As a form of use of a projector built in a mobile phone or the like, a composition in which a projected image is surrounded and discussed by several people is conceivable. In such a case, a very large image is not necessary, and it is reasonable to project the projection destination onto a desk or a hand-held board. However, the conventional example does not adopt such a configuration.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image projection apparatus and a portable image projection apparatus that project an image onto an installation surface of the apparatus.

  That is, an object of the present invention is to provide an image projection apparatus with a built-in portable device that can be projected on a desk by projecting on an installation surface, can save the trouble of searching for a place to be a screen, and can easily project an image. There is to do.

  An object of the present invention is to protect the reflective optical element portion when carrying it by storing the reflective optical element, and to make it easy to carry the image projection apparatus itself.

  An object of the third aspect is to project an appropriate image by correcting image distortion at the time of projection by using a reflective optical element as a curved mirror.

  An object of the present invention is to project an appropriate image by correcting image distortion at the time of projection by a planar element by using a reflective optical element as a reflective optical element.

  The purpose of claim 5 is to enable normal wall projection.

  An object of the present invention is to realize a hand-held display by combining an image projection device capable of projecting an installation surface on a portable planar member, and to project an image by providing a battery function on the portable planar member side. The object is to eliminate the battery function from the apparatus or reduce the capacity, and to further reduce the size of the image projection apparatus.

  An object of the present invention is to make the battery easy to charge, to be easily stored, and to be replaceable by making the battery detachable.

  The object of the present invention is to realize a hand-held display by combining an image projection device capable of projecting an installation surface on a portable planar member, and to project an image by providing a memory function on the portable planar member side. The memory function is deleted from the apparatus, and the image projection apparatus is further downsized.

  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily rewrite the contents of a memory by making the memory device detachable, to allow the memory device to be replaced, and to use another memory device.

  The object of the present invention is to realize a hand-held display by combining an image projection device capable of projecting an installation surface on a portable planar member, and to provide an image by providing a wireless communication means on the portable planar member side. An object is to further reduce the size of the image projection apparatus by deleting a part of the memory function and the control function from the projection apparatus.

  The object of the eleventh aspect is to make the wireless communication means detachable by making the wireless communication means detachable, making it easy to store.

  The purpose of claim 12 is to realize a hand-held display by combining a portable planar member with an image projection device capable of projecting an installation surface, and to provide an operation unit function on the portable planar member side. It is to make it easier to do.

  The purpose of the thirteenth aspect is to make it easy to store by making the operation instruction section detachable.

  An image projection apparatus according to the present invention includes a light modulation device (light valve) that forms an image projected on a projection surface by a projection lens from input image information, an illumination optical system that illuminates the light valve, and a light valve. It consists of a projection optical system that projects modulated light. The projection optical system is arranged in the order of the lens element and the reflective optical element from the side close to the light valve, and the projected image is parallel to the installation surface or the installation surface of the image projector. It is projected onto a surface. The lens element is specifically a projection lens, and the reflective optical element is a mirror or a diffractive optical element.

  The illumination optical system includes at least one light emitting unit that emits R, G, and B, can emit R, G, and B colored light sequentially in time, and the light sources are arranged in a planar or curved shape. In synchronization with the emission timing of each color light emitted in a time sequence from the light source through the uniform illumination means, and a uniform illumination means that emits the illuminance of the color light emitted from the planar light source. A light modulation unit including a light valve driven in a time-sharing manner, and a projection unit that projects light modulated by the light modulation unit. The projection unit includes a projection lens including one or more lenses, and a projection lens. And a reflection optical element that deflects the light beam emitted from the light source.

  As a specific form of the illumination optical system, an LED array in which LEDs each including at least one LED each capable of emitting R, G, and B are arranged in a planar shape or a curved shape can be used. Currently, high-power LEDs are provided for each color light of R, G, and B, and this type of LED is arranged in a planar or curved surface in an array form, which is suitable for a thin and small image projector. A planar light source can be obtained.

  As a specific form of the uniform illumination means, it is desirable to use a rod lens array in which a plurality of rod lenses are arranged in a planar shape or a curved shape. Fly eye integrators are also well known as uniform illumination means used in image projection devices, but in the case of fly eye integrators, a space is required between two fly eye lenses or between a fly eye integrator and a light valve. This is an obstacle to downsizing and thinning of the apparatus. In contrast, in the case of a rod lens array in which multiple rod lenses are arranged in a flat or curved shape, the principle of uniform illuminance differs from that of a fly eye integrator, and incident light is emitted by repeating internal reflection within the rod lens. Light with already uniform illuminance is obtained at the end face. Therefore, there is no need for a space like a fly-eye integrator, and it can be brought into close contact with a planar light source, a subsequent light valve, etc., which is advantageous for downsizing and thinning.

  Furthermore, it is desirable to provide polarization conversion means for aligning the polarization state of light incident from the planar light source in one direction. As a specific form, a reflection plate provided on the rear side with respect to the light emission direction of the light source body is provided, and polarized light having a predetermined vibration direction is transmitted to the emission end face of the uniform illumination unit, and the vibration direction A reflective polarizer function for reflecting polarized light in different vibration directions is superimposed. By providing the polarization conversion means, the light emitted from the planar light source can be aligned with the polarized light in one polarization direction that contributes to display by the light valve, so that the light use efficiency can be improved.

  As a specific form of the projection means, it is composed of a normal projection lens that enlarges and projects an image on a light valve on a screen, and a reflective optical element arranged on the screen side of the projection lens, and the reflective optical element Thus, the projection light emitted from the projection lens is deflected and projected onto the image projection device installation surface or a plane parallel thereto. A movable mechanism is formed in the reflective optical element, and the reflective optical element has a predetermined position that deflects the projection light emitted from the projection lens so as to be projected onto the image projection apparatus installation surface or a plane parallel thereto. It is configured so that it can be stored in the image projector main body.

  In the state in which the reflective optical element is stored, the image on the light valve is placed on the projection surface by arranging the image projection device so that the projection surface is substantially in front of the projection lens, as in a normal image projection device. Can be enlarged and projected. In other words, the image projection apparatus according to the present invention has two installation postures, and in the case of one installation posture, the reflection optical element is installed at a predetermined position, so that the image projection apparatus installation surface or a surface parallel thereto is provided. In the case of projecting the image on the other side and in the other installation posture, the reflection optical element is stored in the image projection apparatus main body, and the image is projected onto the surface facing the projection lens.

  At this time, it is desirable that the reflective optical element is composed of an appropriate curved surface or diffractive surface that corrects the distortion of the projected image when the image is projected onto the image projection device installation surface or a surface parallel thereto. Even if it is not constituted by such a curved surface or diffractive surface, there is no problem if the system of the image projection apparatus has means for correcting the projection image by image processing or the like.

  In addition, a portable display can be configured using such an image projection apparatus. As a specific form, the image projecting device and a flat plate member functioning as a display are formed, and an installation mechanism for joining each of the image projecting device and the flat plate member or both is formed. Further, it is desirable that a power supply device (battery) for driving the image projection device is mounted on the flat plate member side. Further, it is desirable that a terminal for connecting a memory device for storing image data to be projected by the image projection device or information necessary for control or an external memory device is installed on the flat plate member side. Further, it is desirable that a terminal capable of connecting a wireless communication means for transmitting / receiving image data of the image projection apparatus and information necessary for control or an external apparatus having a communication function is installed on the flat plate member side. Moreover, it is desirable that an instruction unit for operating the image projection apparatus is formed on the flat plate member side. Therefore, it is desirable that an electrical contact is formed at the joint between the flat plate member and the image projection apparatus. With such a configuration, the main body of the image projection apparatus can be reduced in size, and the form as a portable display can be simplified.

  According to the present invention (Claim 1), a portable device (cell phone, digital camera) that can be projected on a desk by projecting on an installation surface, can easily project an image, saving the trouble of searching for a screen location. , Notebook computers, electronic notebooks, etc.) can be provided.

  According to the present invention (Claim 2), by storing the reflective optical element, the reflective optical element portion is protected when being carried, and the image projection apparatus itself can be easily carried.

  According to the present invention (Claim 3), it is possible to provide an image projection apparatus with little image distortion at the time of projection even when projected onto an installation surface by using a reflective optical element as a curved mirror.

  According to the present invention (Claim 4), the reflective optical element is a reflective diffractive element, which facilitates the creation of the element itself.

  According to the present invention (Claim 5), normal wall projection can be performed, and an image projection apparatus having a high degree of freedom in selecting a projection plane can be provided.

  According to the present invention (Claim 6), an inexpensive hand-held display can be realized by combining a portable planar member with an image projection apparatus capable of projecting an installation surface. Further, by providing a battery function on the portable planar member side, the battery function can be deleted or the capacity can be reduced from the image projection apparatus, and a more compact image projection apparatus can be provided. It is possible to provide a portable image projector having a small size.

  According to the present invention (Claim 7), by making the battery detachable, it is easy to charge the battery, and it is easy to store, and a portable image projection apparatus that can easily replace the battery is provided. be able to.

  According to the present invention (Claim 8), by providing a memory function on the portable planar member side, the memory function can be deleted from the image projection apparatus, and a more compact image projection apparatus can be provided. It is possible to provide a portable image projector having a small image projector unit.

  According to the present invention (Claim 9), by making the memory device detachable, the memory contents can be easily rewritten and the memory device can be easily replaced. In addition, another person's memory device can be used easily, and a portable image projection device that is easy to use can be provided.

  According to the present invention (Claim 10), by providing the wireless planar communication means on the portable planar member side, a part of the memory function and the control function can be deleted from the image projecting device, and a more compact image can be obtained. A projection device can be provided, and a portable image projection device having a small image projection device portion can be provided.

  According to the present invention (Claim 11), by making the wireless communication means detachable, it is possible to provide a portable image projection apparatus that is attached only when the wireless communication means is necessary and is easy to use. In addition, when the wireless communication means breaks down, the replacement becomes easy and the storage becomes easy.

  According to the present invention (claim 12), it is possible to provide an easy-to-operate portable image projection apparatus by providing an operation unit function on the portable planar member side.

  According to the present invention (Claim 13), it is possible to provide a portable image projection apparatus that can be easily accommodated by making the operation instruction section detachable.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Example 1:
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, an example of a color sequential driving projection type color liquid crystal display device is shown. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image projection apparatus, in which an image is projected onto an installation surface of the image projection apparatus. This installation posture is defined as a first installation posture. In FIG. 1, 10 is an image projection apparatus main body, 11 is a projection surface on which an image is projected, 12 is a hinge portion, 13 is a housing for holding a reflective optical element, 6 is a projection lens, 7 is a reflective optical element, and 8 is a reflective optical element. Projection light 9 is an image projection apparatus installation surface.

  FIG. 2 shows another installation posture of the image projection apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram in which an image is projected onto the surface 11 facing the projection lens 6 in a state where the hinge 12 is bent and the reflective optical element 13 is stored in the main body 10. This posture is the second installation posture.

  FIG. 3 shows an optical system of the image projection apparatus (first installation posture). In the figure, 2 is an LED array (planar light source), 3 is a rod lens array (uniform illumination means), 4 is a polarizer, 5 is a liquid crystal light valve (light modulation means), 6 is a projection lens (projection means), 7 Is a reflective optical element (projection means).

  Details of the light source portion of FIG. 3 are shown in FIG. The LED coupled to one rod lens is composed of LED chips 23 (red), 24 (green), and 25 (blue) that can emit light of R, G, and B colors. The LED group 22 including individual, two green, and one blue LED chips is used as one light source unit. An LED array 2 in which the LED group 22 is arranged on a flat or curved single substrate 21 (FIG. 5), and a rod lens for making the illuminance of each color light emitted from the LEDs 23, 24, and 25 uniform. A rod lens array 3 in which a plurality of 31 are arranged in a plane and integrally molded with resin or glass, a liquid crystal light valve 5 that synthesizes an image by modulating each color light emitted from the rod lens array 3, and a liquid crystal light A projection lens 6 for enlarging and projecting an image synthesized by the bulb 5 and a reflection optical element 7 for deflecting projection light in the direction of the installation surface 9 of the image projection apparatus are roughly constituted.

  In this case, the non-patent document 1 mentioned above was used as a reference for setting one red, two green, and one blue. When three primary color LED light sources of chromaticity coordinates (0.700, 0.299), (0.206, 0.709), and (0.152, 0.026) are used, a white color having a color temperature of 9000K is obtained. Therefore, since the luminous flux ratio is red: green: blue = 21: 76: 4, two green colors were used. However, since the number of LEDs is not a problem, and the light flux ratio is a problem, the number of LEDs that can obtain a necessary light flux ratio may be set. In addition, when full color is not required, a light source of two colors or one color can be used. On the other hand, when higher-definition color expression is required, it is possible to use light sources of four or more colors.

  The LED array 2 is connected to a light source drive circuit (light source drive means) (not shown). The light source drive circuit controls the timing at which each LED 23, 24, 25 emits light. From each LED 23, 24, 25, for example, R, G, B, R, G, B,... Can emit color light in time sequence. At this time, wiring can be simplified by connecting the same terminals of the LEDs of the same color on the substrate 21.

  The rod lens array 3 is bonded to the LED substrate 21 with a transparent resin adhesive or the like. The details are shown in FIG. 4 and 5, the left side surface (light source side surface) of the rod is an incident end surface 32, and the right side surface (light valve side) is an output end surface 33. The incident end face 32 of the rod lens 31 does not need to be a flat surface, and a form as shown in FIG. At this time, by encapsulating the transparent resin 34 between the rod lens and the LED chip, total reflection in the LED chip is suppressed, and the light extraction efficiency from the LED chip can be improved. The transparent resin 34 may be an adhesive itself, but by filling a transparent medium such as silicon resin that is hardly deteriorated by light or heat, a decrease in transmittance due to deterioration of the sealing resin is suppressed even when used for a long time. Can do.

  The light emitted from each LED chip 23, 24, 25 reaches the incident end face 32 of the rod lens array 3 via a filler or an adhesive made of transparent resin, and is coupled to the rod lens. The coupled light beam repeatedly undergoes internal reflection at each rod lens 31, and the illuminance is uniformed when it is emitted from the emission end face 33. The light beam emitted from the rod lens array 3 is incident on the light valve 5 with the polarization direction aligned in one direction by the polarizer 4. At this time, by forming a reflection film or structure that reflects the light beam having the wavelength of the light source light on the surface connecting the first surface (incident end surface 32) and the second surface (output end surface 33), that is, the side surface of the rod, The light use efficiency of the emitted light from the light source can be improved. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, by making the side surface an appropriate curved surface, the side surface satisfies the total reflection condition even for light rays emitted at a large angle with respect to the optical axis, and there is no reflection film or reflection structure. Loss passing through the rod can be reduced and light utilization efficiency can be improved. Further, by making the side surface of the rod a curved surface, the divergence angle of the emitted light can be kept narrow.

The liquid crystal light valve 5 uses a TN mode active matrix transmission type liquid crystal cell using a thin film transistor (hereinafter referred to as TFT) as a pixel switching element, and an incident-side polarization is formed on the outer surface of the liquid crystal cell. A plate and an output-side polarizing plate are provided so that their transmission axes are orthogonal to each other. For example, in the off state, s-polarized light incident on the liquid crystal light valve 5 is converted into p-polarized light and emitted, while in the on state, light is blocked. The LED array 2, the rod lens array 3, the polarizer 4, and the liquid crystal light valve 5 may be arranged apart from each other, but in order to reduce the size and thickness of the apparatus, all may be arranged in close contact. desirable.
The liquid crystal light valve 5 is connected to a liquid crystal light valve drive circuit (light modulation drive means) (not shown). The liquid crystal light valve drive circuit causes the liquid crystal light valve 5 to sequentially correspond to each incident color light. It has a structure that can be driven. In addition, the image projection apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a synchronization signal generation circuit (synchronization signal generation means). The synchronization signal generation circuit generates a synchronization signal to drive the light source drive circuit and the liquid crystal light valve. By inputting to the circuit, the timing of emitting the color light from each LED 23, 24, 25 and the timing of driving the liquid crystal light valve 5 corresponding to the color light can be synchronized.

That is, in the image projection apparatus according to the present embodiment, one frame is time-divided, each color light of R, G, B is emitted from the LEDs 23, 24, 25 in time order, and the color light is emitted from each LED 23, 24, 25. By synchronizing the timing of driving and the timing of driving the liquid crystal light valve 5, the liquid crystal light valve 5 is driven sequentially in time according to the color light emitted from each LED 23, 24, 25, and each LED 23, 24, 25 is driven. The color image can be synthesized by outputting an image signal corresponding to the color light emitted from the.
The image formed by the liquid crystal light valve 5 is enlarged by the projection lens 6, the optical path is turned back by the reflective optical element 7, and is projected onto the installation surface 9 on which the image projection device 10 is installed. The user sees the image reflected on the projection surface. Further, the reflection surface or diffraction surface of the reflective optical element 7 is made to have an appropriate curved surface (curved surface mirror) or diffraction structure (reflection type diffraction grating) to correct image distortion when projected onto the installation surface 9. It has become.

Example 2:
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7A shows the entire portable image projector. Reference numeral 10 denotes an image projection apparatus capable of projecting onto an installation surface, 40 denotes a planar member having portability, and 50 denotes a battery, and these constitute a portable image projection apparatus as a whole. The image projection apparatus 10 projects a projection image 41 on the planar member 40 on which the image projection apparatus is installed. Here, it is assumed that the image projection apparatus 10 capable of projecting onto the installation surface has an optical system that is basically equivalent to that shown in the first embodiment. That is, the image projector 10 is in the first installation posture, and the user is configured to view the image reflected on the projection surface.

  FIG.7 (b) shows the right view of (a). Reference numeral 15 denotes an image projection apparatus installation mechanism, which has a clip-like structure made of a material having appropriate elasticity, and is configured to install the image projection apparatus with the planar member interposed therebetween. There is an electrical contact on the surface 16 where the image projection device 10 and the planar member 40 are in contact, and the battery and the image projection device are connected by a conductor (not shown) formed on the planar member. Power is supplied to the projection apparatus 10. Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, the battery 50 is formed with a plug hole 51 for charging, and can be charged when the storage amount of the battery 50 decreases.

  FIG. 8A shows a configuration example in which the battery is detachable. FIG. 8B is a right side view thereof, and FIG. 8C is an enlarged view of a battery mounting portion of a planar member used as a screen in combination with a removable battery. In FIG. 8B, the battery 50 has a hinge portion 52, and an electrode pin 53 and a positioning pin 54 are formed. As shown in the figure, the battery 50 is configured to be fixed with the planar member 40 interposed therebetween. A positioning hole 42 and an electrode 43 are formed on the planar member side shown in FIG. 8C. By sandwiching the planar member 40 so that the positioning pin 54 coincides with the positioning hole 42, the electrode pin 53 is formed. The electrode 43 is in contact with the electrode 43. Further, with the configuration as shown in FIG. 8A, the battery 50 itself serves as a grip when the portable image projector is held by hand.

  Further, it is more preferable that a film or a structure that efficiently reflects each color light of R, G, and B is formed on the surface on which the image of the planar member 40 having a function as a screen is projected.

Example 3:
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a view of the entire portable image projection device as seen from above. Reference numeral 10 denotes an image projection apparatus capable of projecting onto an installation surface, 40 denotes a planar member having portability, and 60 denotes a memory device, and these constitute a portable image projection apparatus as a whole. Here, it is assumed that the image projection apparatus 10 capable of projecting onto the installation surface has an optical system that is basically equivalent to that shown in the first embodiment. That is, the image projector 10 is in the first installation posture, and the user is configured to view the image reflected on the projection surface.

  Reference numeral 61 denotes an interface for connecting the memory device 60 to an external personal computer or the like. An image to be projected from the external memory is stored in the memory device 60 through the interface 61, and control means (not shown) in the portable image projection device. Thus, the image is read from the memory device 60 and projected by the image projection device 10.

  FIG. 10 shows an example in which the memory device is an external memory, 62 is an external memory terminal, and 63 is an external memory. By connecting the external memory 63 to the terminal 62, an image is read from the external memory device 63 and projected by the image projecting device 10 by a control means (not shown) in the portable image projecting device.

  Further, the memory device may be configured to be detachable like the battery of FIG. 8A, and may also be configured to be used as a grip when the portable image projector is held by hand.

Example 4:
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 is a view of the entire portable image projection device as seen from above. Reference numeral 10 denotes an image projection apparatus capable of projecting onto an installation surface, 40 denotes a planar member having portability, 70 denotes wireless communication means, and 71 denotes an antenna of the wireless communication means. All of these constitute a portable image projector. Here, it is assumed that the image projection apparatus 10 capable of projecting onto the installation surface has an optical system that is basically equivalent to that shown in the first embodiment. That is, the image projector 10 is in the first installation posture, and the user is configured to view the image reflected on the projection surface.

  An external personal computer or the like is accessed by the wireless communication means 70, an image to be projected from the external memory is stored in a memory device on a portable image projection device (not shown), and control means (not shown) in the portable image projection device is used. Then, the image is read out from the memory device and projected by the image projection device 10. Further, it is also possible to access the Internet via the wireless communication means 70 by a control means (not shown) and project an image by the image projection apparatus 10 without going through the memory device.

  Further, the wireless communication means may be configured to be detachable like the battery of FIG. 8A, and may also be configured to be used as a grip when the portable image projector is held by hand.

  FIG. 12 shows an example in which the wireless communication means 73 is externally attached, where 72 is an attachment terminal of the wireless communication means, and 73 is the wireless communication means. By connecting the wireless communication means 73 to the terminal 72, the control means (not shown) in the portable image projection apparatus wirelessly accesses the memory of the external personal computer or the Internet, reads the image, and projects the image by the image projection apparatus 10. .

Example 5:
A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram of the entire portable image projection apparatus as seen from above. Reference numeral 10 denotes an image projection apparatus capable of projecting onto an installation surface, 40 denotes a planar member having portability, and 80 denotes an operation instruction unit. All of these constitute a portable image projector. Here, it is assumed that the image projection apparatus 10 capable of projecting onto the installation surface has an optical system that is basically equivalent to that shown in the first embodiment. That is, the image projector 10 is in the first installation posture, and the user is configured to view the image reflected on the projection surface.

  By operating the button of the operation instruction unit 80, the image projection device 10 projects an image obtained from a memory device (not shown) or a wireless communication unit via a control unit (not shown) on the portable image projection device. If the image is forwarded or returned, or if it is a moving image, playback, fast forward, rewind, stop, etc. are executed.

  Further, the operation instructing unit 80 may be configured to be detachable like the battery of FIG. 8A, and may also be configured to be used as a grip when the portable image projector is held by hand. Further, a configuration in which the battery, the memory device, the wireless communication unit, and the operation instruction unit are integrated into a removable operation instruction unit is also possible.

Example 6:
A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14A is a diagram of the entire portable image projector as viewed from the side. FIG. 14B is a diagram viewed from the lower side (the back side of the surface where the user views the image). Reference numeral 10 denotes an image projecting apparatus capable of projecting onto an installation surface, and 40 denotes a portable planar member made of a light-transmitting material, and the surface has a structure in which light is scattered. Reference numeral 80 denotes an operation instruction unit. All of these constitute a portable image projector. Here, it is assumed that the image projection apparatus 10 capable of projecting onto the installation surface has an optical system that is basically equivalent to that shown in the first embodiment. That is, the image projection apparatus 10 is in the first installation posture, and the user sees an image transmitted through the projection plane (viewed from the direction of the arrow in FIG. 14A).

  In this case, since the image projecting device unit is behind the projection surface, the image projecting device can be used when the portable image projecting device is placed on a desk or the like by adding a structure like the protective member 90 of the image projecting device. It can be prevented from being destroyed. Further, it is more preferable that a film or a structure that efficiently transmits light of each color of R, G, and B is formed on the surface on which the image of the planar member 40 having a function as a screen is projected.

  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, as the planar light source, a semiconductor laser, an organic EL element, an inorganic EL element, or the like can be used in addition to the LED. In addition, the number of LED chips of each color in each LED group is not limited to one red, two greens, and one blue. Can be configured. Furthermore, the number of buttons of the operation instruction unit is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure, and can be configured with a necessary number of buttons.

1 shows an overall configuration of an image projection apparatus (first installation posture) according to a first embodiment. 1 shows an image projection apparatus (second installation posture) according to a first embodiment. 1 shows an optical system of an image projection apparatus of Embodiment 1. The detail of a light source part is shown. A state where the rod lens array is bonded to the LED substrate is shown. The rod lens array which made the side surface of the rod into the curved surface is shown. The whole portable image projector of Example 2 is shown. The structural example (Example 2) which made the battery part removable is shown. The whole portable image projector of Example 3 is shown. Example 3 which used the memory device as the external memory is shown. The whole portable image projector of Example 4 is shown. Example 4 is shown in which the wireless communication means is externally attached. The whole portable image projector of Example 5 is shown. The whole portable image projector of Example 6 is shown. An example of a conventional image projector

Explanation of symbols

6 Projection Lens 7 Reflective Optical Element 8 Projection Light 9 Image Projection Device Installation Surface 10 Image Projection Device Body 11 Projection Surface 12 Hinge Part 13 Housing

Claims (13)

  In an image projection apparatus comprising: an illumination optical system; a light modulation device that modulates a light beam from the illumination optical system to form an image; and a projection optical system that projects an image formed by the light modulation device onto a projection surface; The projection optical system can take the first installation posture in which the optical elements are arranged in the order of the lens element and the reflective optical element from the side closer to the light modulation device, and the installation surface of the image projection device and the projection surface are parallel to each other. An image projection apparatus characterized by the above.   The reflective optical element has a hinge portion, and a first installation posture when projecting an image onto a plane parallel to the installation plane of the image projection device, the illumination optical system, the light modulation device, The image projection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image projection apparatus can take a second installation posture integrated with a casing in which a lens element of the projection optical system is arranged.   The image projection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reflective surface of the reflective optical element is a curved mirror.   The image projection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reflective surface of the reflective optical element is a reflective diffraction grating.   The image projection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the image projection apparatus projects an image in the second installation posture, a projection optical system is configured by only the lens element.   A portable type comprising a planar member, the image projecting device according to any one of claims 1, 3, and 4 capable of projecting on an installation surface, and an installation mechanism for installing the image projection device on the planar member. A portable image projection apparatus comprising a battery on the planar member side in the image projection apparatus.   The portable image projection apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the battery has an attachment / detachment mechanism.   A portable type comprising a planar member, the image projecting device according to any one of claims 1, 3, and 4 capable of projecting on an installation surface, and an installation mechanism for installing the image projection device on the planar member. An image projection apparatus, comprising a memory device on the planar member side.   The portable image projection apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the memory device has an attachment / detachment mechanism.   A portable type comprising a planar member, the image projecting device according to any one of claims 1, 3, and 4 capable of projecting on an installation surface, and an installation mechanism for installing the image projection device on the planar member. An image projection apparatus, comprising: a wireless communication unit on the planar member side.   The portable image projection apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the wireless communication unit includes an attachment / detachment mechanism.   A portable type comprising a planar member, the image projecting device according to any one of claims 1, 3, and 4 capable of projecting on an installation surface, and an installation mechanism for installing the image projection device on the planar member. In the image projection apparatus, the portable image projection apparatus is characterized in that an operation instruction unit of the image projection apparatus is installed on the planar member side.   The portable image projection apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the operation instruction unit includes an attachment / detachment mechanism.

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