JP2007508732A - Image projection device - Google Patents

Abstract

  In the image projection device (1), the image (2) is projected onto the projection surface (3) by the electro-optical device (10) that generates light based on the image data (PD). The projection mode setting stage (32) is responsible for setting various projection modes based on the projection mode parameters. For each projection mode parameter, the variable action device (11, 13, 21, 22, 28) can be controlled by the projection mode setting stage (32), and at least one of the projection modes is the projection surface (3 ) At least characterized by different image sizes of the projected image (2). When the projection mode selection device (30) outputs a projection mode selection signal (PMS) to the projection mode setting stage (32), it is possible to select a projection mode from possible projection modes.

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for projecting an image on a projection surface in various projection modes, and in particular, includes an electro-optical device that generates and outputs light based on image data representing the projection image. Both relate to an apparatus having optical altering means for changing the size and also having controllable variable action means for controllably acting on at least one physical variable occurring in the apparatus.

  Such a device for projecting an image on a projection surface is known, for example, from US Pat. No. 5,658,062. Described in this known document is a projector that can change the image size of a projected image within a certain continuous range by means of a zoom optical system that can be actuated electromechanically. The optical system projects light emitted from the light source onto the projection wall. In a known aspect, different brightness or light intensity of the projected image is obtained by the position of the zoom optical system. In this known projector, the light emitted from the light source is controlled in terms of its intensity as a function of the position of the zoom optical system so that approximately the same brightness is obtained in the image projected on the projection wall.

  Recently, projectors have been used more and more frequently for home theater purposes. For example, video movie images output by a DVD player are usually projected onto the wall of a living room. Since the image data to be projected can be obtained from the TV tuner as well, the TV program can be shown by such a projector. In such use of projectors for home theater purposes, users often want to see different program content with different image sizes. For example, in the case of a video movie, it would be preferable to play it as large as possible, that is, to watch the movie with the maximum image size, while in other programs such as news broadcasts, A small image size may be desirable. The use of the known projector is only possible for that purpose to a limited extent. Although it is possible to set various image sizes, this can only be done by relatively complicated handling or manipulation of the operating elements of the projector, which is disadvantageous. Furthermore, it is difficult to quickly set a desired image size and always set the same desired size.

  Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for projecting an image on a projection surface that avoids the disadvantages described above.

  In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides an apparatus that can be characterized as follows.

  That is, an apparatus for projecting an image on a projection surface in various projection modes, including an electro-optical device that generates light based on image data from an image data source representing the projection image, and the image of the projection image A controllable variable actuating means having controllable variable action means which in any case controllably act on at least one physical variable occurring in the device, with different changing modes based on the projection mode parameter A projection mode setting stage capable of performing the setting, and for each projection mode parameter, the variable action means can be controlled by the projection mode setting stage, and at least one of the variable action means is Obtaining at least a different image size of the projected image at the projection surface in at least one of the projection modes A projection capable of selecting a projection mode from a plurality of different possible projection modes and generating a projection mode selection signal in accordance with the selected projection mode. The apparatus has a mode selection means, and the projection mode selection signal can be output to the projection mode setting stage for the purpose of setting the selected projection mode.

  Therefore, in the apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to quickly set the projection mode from a number of projection modes in a very simple and convenient form, and the desired image size can be set quickly and always according to the projection mode or application. Can be set to the same size for different purposes.

  The projection mode parameter may be transmitted to the device according to the invention, for example by means of an infrared remote control device. It is particularly effective when the measures according to claims 2 and 3 are provided in a device according to the invention, which leads to a simple and simplified operation of the device and also makes a selection of the projection mode directly to the device. Turned out to be possible.

  Changing means may be provided to process the image data electrically or digitally before projection so as to obtain a changed image size.

  Providing the measures as claimed in claims 4 and 5 proves to be very effective and offers the advantage that the projected image does not exhibit a loss of quality with respect to resolution. Further, this improves the brightness of the projected image.

  As claimed in the measure of claim 6, there is an effect that an appropriate image brightness of the projected image can be always obtained according to the use, and as a result, the service life of the apparatus is remarkably increased.

  As claimed in the measure of claim 7, there is the advantage that different image data sources can be selected depending on the projection mode.

  The measure of claim 9 provides the advantage that the automatic selection of the projection mode can be performed very simply. All that is needed to do this is to determine which image data source is involved, with the addition of so-called metadata or additional information output via the image data source. This is because it may be used.

  The measure of claim 10 provides the advantage that a very high degree of state automation can be achieved and the projection mode can be set for a very large number of purposes and / or conditions.

  It has proved to be very effective if a measure as claimed in claim 13 is provided. This is because, as a result, the brightness and contrast settings always remain in a state adapted to the user's situation at a certain moment. For example, in the case of high ambient luminance, for example, in the case of a small image size that does not need to be enhanced and the content of the image, it is beneficial to reduce the contrast setting value. As a result, the power of the lamp of the electro-optical device that emits light (with the same image brightness) can be reduced. In general, the intended use of the projection mode allows the lamp power to always be kept at the minimum required value. Since the heat generated by the lamp is usually cooled by the fan, the fan can be controlled as a function of the power of the lamp. Thereby, noise generated by the fan can be effectively reduced. The lamp control operation effectively extends the service life of the entire device.

  Hereinafter, although the present invention is further explained based on the example shown in a drawing, the present invention is not limited to this.

  FIG. 1 shows a first device 1 for projecting an image 2 to be projected onto a wall 3 of a room 5, which wall is located at a distance D from the device 1. The first device 1 is hereinafter referred to as a projector 1, but in this example, as is known per se, a standing unit (standing ring) having a base 6 for placing the device on the floor 7 of the room 5. unit). The image 2 to be projected or to be projected is represented by image data, and this image data is electronically transmitted from the DVD player (not shown in FIG. 1) to the projector 1. Note that the image data and possibly audio data can be supplied to the projector 1 from an online PC, a CD or DVD player, or directly via an Internet connection. Furthermore, the video and audio data may be supplied in a wireless manner via an antenna input, and the electronic means of the projector has an audio and video input stage in a conventional manner with a tuner or the like. Such devices have long been known and therefore need not be described in further detail here.

  Such devices or projectors for projecting images are increasingly used in home theater systems, which use a very wide range of technologies or projections that generate the light beams necessary for image formation. ing. In this example, an LDC panel is used in the projector 1 to generate a light beam modulated by image data. Note that another device such as a DMD panel or a cathode ray tube may be used to generate a light beam modulated by image data.

  The projector 1 has a vertical beam path, that is, a vertical optical main axis 14 in a configuration as a stance unit, and has an appropriate height of, for example, about 1.5 m to 2 m, and an image 2 on the wall 3. Guarantees proper projection. In this case, the image 2 is projected on the wall surface 3 by the deflecting means belonging to the optical system of the projector 1, and the deflecting means takes the form of a deflecting mirror 8 having a reflecting area, and is shown in FIG. The deflecting mirror 8 in the correct deflection position can make an angle of generally 45 ° with respect to the horizontal line 16 '. The deflecting mirror 8 is configured as a rotating mirror, and is rotated counterclockwise downward with respect to the deflecting position shown in FIG. 1 at a horizontal protection position (not shown), and the top of the projector 1 as a cover. On. In the protection position, the deflection mirror 8 protects the components in the projector 1 against dust and the like. On the other hand, at the deflection position, the reflection area allows precise vertical setting of the position of the image 2 on the wall 3, and a screen or the like can be provided there if necessary. Therefore, since the vertical image positioning on the wall 3 is performed by fine adjustment of the tilt angle of the deflecting mirror 8, it is not necessary to adjust the height of the projector 1 as a whole. In the case of such tilt adjustment, as described above, it is also known to perform basic correction by a correction algorithm based on the tilt angle of the deflection mirror 8.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the projector 1 in the form of a functional assembly or block. The projector 1 has an electro-optical device 10 configured to generate light based on image data, as will be described in more detail below. The electro-optical device 10 includes a light source 11, an LCD panel 12, and an optical system 13, which forms changing means 13 for changing the image size of the projected image, as will be described in more detail below. To do. The light source 11 is formed of an incandescent lamp in this example, and the optical system 13 has an objective lens 16.

  The projector 1 further has an A / V signal input 20 to which a plurality of image signal sources are connected, and a plurality of audio / video (A / V) signals are input via the A / V signal input 20. V) A signal can be received and output to the A / V input module 21. The A / V input module 21 forms a series of functional stages (not individually shown) such as an A / D conversion stage, a decoding stage, a synchronization stage, and a processing stage for processing image data of a video signal. The A / V input module 21 further forms a selection circuit (not shown) provided for the user to select an A / V signal from a large number of A / V signals by input means. In this example, such an input means is formed by a direction key (not shown) arranged on the projector 1, and a menu is guided in a conventional manner by selecting in a so-called on-screen display (OSD) menu with this direction key. It can be performed. The A / V input module 21 is further configured to output a possibly processed digital A / V signal to the A / V signal processing circuit 22. The A / V signal processing circuit 22 is configured to control the LCD panel 12 via the LCD panel driving circuit 23 in a conventional manner based on the image data PD corresponding to the received A / V signal. Has been. A selection circuit formed in the A / V input module 21 and capable of outputting various A / V signals to the signal processing circuit 22 can be used to select an image signal source for each projection mode. An image signal source selection device is formed, and the most suitable image signal source can be selected for each projection mode.

  The LCD panel 12 is configured as a light modulator (light valve) for modulating light emitted by the light source 11 as a function of the image data PD. The light modulated by the LCD panel 12 is projected onto the wall 3 along the optical principal axis 14 by the optical system 13, and as a result, an image 2 projected onto the wall 3 is obtained. Furthermore, the audio signal obtained from the received A / V signal can be output to the loudspeaker 25 by the A / V signal processing circuit 22 via the audio signal output 24. In this example, the 5.1 multi-channel is used. The surround system according to the standard can be controlled.

  An optical element necessary for improving the optical characteristics of the electro-optical device 10 can be included in the beam path or the optical main shaft 14. For example, in addition to integrators, polarizers, infrared filters, and UV filters, so-called beam splitters, analyzers, and prisms can be used.

  Further, the projector 1 has a central control unit 26. The central control unit 26 is formed by a microcomputer. The microcomputer has a CPU (not shown in further detail) and conventional ROM and RAM for known purposes. The central control unit 26 executes a number of tasks, that is, executes program instructions of a program stored in the memory ROM and controls the A / V input module 21 and the A / V signal processing circuit 22 via the bus 27. , Provided to control other functional blocks as described in more detail below.

  Connected to the central control unit 26 is a projection mode selection means 30, which has a key block 31 in this example. The key block 31 has a first mode key 31a, a second mode key 31b, and a third mode key 31c. In any case, the projection mode selection means 30 is configured to output a projection mode selection signal PMS assigned to the desired and selected projection mode to the central control unit 26. Such an output of the respective projection mode output signal PMS can be implemented in addition or as an option via the remote control receiver 29 in the present example, and the remote control receiver 29 is an infrared remote according to the RC standard. The infrared remote control signal can be received from a remote control device (not shown) configured to receive the control signal. Such a projection mode selection means 30 can be formed by a sound control device or by a PC connected to the projection device 1.

  A storage means 36 is also connected to the central control unit 26, which will be described in more detail below.

  In particular, a projection mode setting stage 32 is formed by the central control unit 26. With this projection mode setting stage 32, setting of various projection modes can be performed on the basis of the projection mode parameters. Each projection mode selection signal PMS is supplied to 32. In this example, the projection mode parameters are stored in the storage area of the storage means 36, and there are a zoom position parameter storage area 36a, a light intensity parameter storage area 36b, a fan speed parameter storage area 36c, and an A / V setting parameter storage area 36d. There is. Each projection mode parameter is assigned variable action means, and each variable action means can be controlled by the projection mode setting stage 32. Each of the variable action means can be provided in this example as an electrical or electromechanical means and / or as a software application through which parameter values can be transmitted. In this example, four variable action means can be controlled. The first variable action means is formed by the optical system 13, and the optical system 13 can be controlled by the motor 15 via the motor drive circuit 33, and in particular, the projection mode parameter stored in the zoom position parameter storage area 36a. Based on. In this aspect, the image size of the projected image can be changed. Therefore, the optical system 13 forms the changing means 13 for changing the image size of the projection image. The second variable action means is formed by the light source 11, and this light source 11 is controlled via the light source driving circuit 34, particularly based on the projection mode parameter stored in the light intensity parameter storage area 36b. In this aspect, the image brightness of the projected image can be changed. The third variable action means is formed by the fan 28. The fan 28 is controlled via the fan drive circuit 35 based on projection mode parameters stored in the fan speed parameter storage area 36c. In this embodiment, the cooling effect can be changed. The fourth variable action means is formed by an A / V input module 21 and an A / V signal processing circuit 22, and the A / V input module 21 and the A / V signal processing circuit 22 are particularly connected via a bus 27. Control is performed based on the projection mode parameters stored in the A / V setting parameter storage area 36d. In this aspect, it is possible to act on the A / V signal and data obtained therefrom.

  The optical system 13 includes a position sensor (not shown) for determining (measuring) position information about the objective lens 16 with respect to the LCD panel 12, and this position sensor is a position sensor matching circuit (not shown). ) To output the position information to the central control unit 26. Such position information is used as feedback to operate the motor 15 during the setting of the zoom position. The optical system 13 has a sharpness setting device (not shown) for setting the sharpness of an image.

Table 1 below shows a list of projection mode parameters in this example of three projection modes. The projection mode parameter is stored in binary format in each storage area of the storage means 36.

  It is advantageous for the user of the projector 1 to be able to set the desired projection mode in a very simple and convenient manner. As an example, the user can set the first projection mode MOD1 by pressing the first mode key 31a. When the first mode key 31a is pressed, the first projection mode selection signal PMS is activated. This first projection mode selection signal PMS has a first mode key information item corresponding to the first mode key 31 a, and this first mode key information item is transferred to the projection mode setting stage 32. In the projection mode setting stage 32, in particular, the variable action means is present based on such projection mode parameters defined by the first mode key information item and stored in the respective storage areas of the storage means 36. Be made to work. For example, in the case of the first projection mode MOD1 of this example, the zoom position of the optical system 13 is automatically set by the first variable action unit so that a relatively small image 2 is projected onto the wall 3. The Further, the light source 11 is controlled via a light source driving circuit so that the projected image 2 has a relatively high luminance. In this first projection mode MOD1, and particularly in the case of the light source 11 set to a high light intensity in this case, in order to cool the light source 11 or the projector 1 as effectively as possible in view of the large amount of heat generated. It is necessary to control the fan 28 at a relatively high fan speed. By controlling the light source 11 via the light source drive circuit 34, it is possible to always obtain an appropriate image luminance of the projected image according to the application, and as a result, there is an advantage that the service life of the apparatus 1 is significantly increased.

  The A / V setting parameter is formed by three A / V setting sub-parameters in this example, one sub for the bass (bass) setting, the 5.1 surround setting, and the image data source. The parameter is stored for each projection mode. In the first projection mode MOD1, the A / V signal processing circuit 22 for setting the bus is set so that no bus signal is output. Furthermore, the 5.1 surround setting is set to a so-called 2 × 5 mix. The TV tuner is set as an image data source by the A / V input module 21. The first projection mode MOD1 is usually used by the user to watch news transmitted via TV programs. Since a smaller image size is usually sufficient for viewing such a news program, a smaller image size of the projected image will be recommended as appropriate.

  Note that the variable action means may be operated in different orders, and the variable action means may be operated simultaneously.

  In addition to the projection mode parameters listed in Table 1, other parameters for each projection mode may be used. For example, there are parameters of image contrast, color characteristics or color temperature, and these other parameters are used by the projection mode setting stage 32 to control other variable action means. Further, a parameter relating to the image position of the projection image is also possible, and the variable action means is formed by the electric drive of the deflection mirror 8 thereafter, so that a different image position of the projection image 2 can be set. In this connection, a second device according to the invention having a modified configuration with respect to the device 1 described above can be mounted on two different room walls or preferably two which extend perpendicular to each other or with a slight inclination. The image may be configured to be projected onto a larger number of different projection surfaces, for example three or four projection surfaces. If necessary, it may be a projection mode parameter for keystone correction. Such trapezoidal correction may be necessary particularly when adjusting the image position.

  In a third configuration (not shown) according to the present invention having a modified configuration with respect to the apparatus 1 described above, the image data source determination means is formed by the central control unit 26, and the image data source determination means is activated. Alternatively, it is configured to determine the set image data source, that is, the image data source outputting the image data, and is connected to the projection mode setting stage 32. The setting of the projection mode is performed in an advantageous manner that the user of the third configuration, that is, the user of such a projector only has to select an activated image data source, and in particular, the selection is made. The projection mode is automatically set based on the image data source. The projection mode parameters in Table 1 can be used according to the parameters except for the image data source parameters. The image data source determination means can be further configured to evaluate so-called metadata, which can be output together with the image data by the image data source and used to set the projection mode. Such metadata related to image data is widely known among experts and will not be described in further detail here.

  In the fourth apparatus 1 (not shown) according to the present invention, an image data analysis unit may be provided in place of the image data source determination unit or in combination with the image data source determination unit. Such image data analysis means are provided to analyze the image data for semantic or semantic content and can perform automatic selection of the projection mode as a function of the analyzed image data.

  In a fifth configuration (not shown) according to the present invention having a configuration modified with respect to the first device 1 described above, parameter operating means for the fifth configuration to act on at least one projection mode parameter. In addition. The parameter action means in this example has a measurement means for measuring the ambient brightness of the projector 1, and at least one projection mode parameter can be acted on by the parameter action means as a function of the measured ambient brightness. In this case, the measuring means for measuring the ambient luminance is formed by a photo register, and this photo register outputs a luminance signal to the central control unit 26 via the adaptation circuit. Note that the measurement means for measuring the ambient luminance can be formed by other elements such as a photodiode or a phototransistor, for example.

  In this embodiment, the contrast parameter can be changed as a projection mode parameter by the parameter operating means. When the photoresistor provides a signal corresponding to high ambient brightness, the contrast parameter is reduced for small image sizes and image content that does not need to be noticeable. As a result, the power of the light source 11 that emits light (with the same image brightness) can be reduced. The heat generated by the light source 11 is cooled by the fan 28, and the fan can reduce its speed. This is advantageous because it reduces noise generated by the fan 28.

  A temperature sensor may be attached to the projector 1, preferably in the vicinity of the electro-optical device 10. Thereby, the temperature information of the temperature sensor can be output to the central control unit 26 via the temperature sensor compatible circuit. Such temperature information can also be used to affect at least one projection mode parameter by the parameter application means.

1 schematically shows an apparatus according to the invention for projecting an image on a wall of a room, configured as a stationary unit. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the electronic optical means of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a block diagram.

Claims (13)

An apparatus for projecting an image on a projection surface in various projection modes,
An electro-optical device that generates light based on image data from an image data source representing the projected image;
Changing means for changing the image size of the projected image;
Controllable variable action means that controllably act in any case on at least one physical variable occurring in the device,
A projection mode setting stage capable of setting various projection modes based on the projection mode parameters;
For each projection mode parameter, the variable action means can be controlled by the projection mode setting stage, and at least one of the variable action means differs at least in the projection image in at least one of the projection modes. Configured such that an image size can be obtained at the projection surface;
The apparatus has a projection mode selection means capable of selecting a projection mode from a plurality of possible different projection modes and generating a projection mode selection signal in accordance with the selected projection mode. The projection mode selection signal can be output to the projection mode setting stage for the purpose of setting the selected projection mode.
apparatus.   The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projection mode selection unit is configured to allow a user to manually select the projection mode.   The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit, wherein the projection mode parameter can be stored in the storage unit.   2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changing means is formed by an optical system held in an adjustable manner.   5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the optical system forming the changing means is adjustable by an electrically activatable motor.   The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the variable operation means is configured to additionally obtain different image luminances of the projection image in at least one of the projection modes. ,apparatus.   The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image signal source selection device for selecting an image signal source from a plurality of image signal sources, wherein the image signal source is selected for each projection mode by the image signal source selection device. A device that is selectable.   The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projection mode selection means is configured to automatically select a projection mode from a plurality of possible projection modes.   9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an image data source determining unit, the image data source determining unit being configured to determine an activated image data source, and automatically selecting the projection mode. The apparatus can be based on the determined activated image data source and possibly metadata associated with the image data source.   9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein image data analysis means for analyzing the image data for semantic content is provided, wherein the automatic selection of the projection mode is a function of the analyzed image data. The device that can be done.   The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising parameter action means for acting on at least one projection mode parameter.   12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the parameter action means comprises measuring means for measuring the ambient brightness of the device, wherein at least one projection mode parameter is a function of the measured ambient brightness. A device that can be actuated by an actuating means. 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the parameter action means is arranged to act on a decisive parameter for contrast setting.

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