JP2008058627A - Projector and projection system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a projector or the like capable of more appropriately adjusting the reflectance of a screen. <P>SOLUTION: The projector 100 includes: a light separation part 140 separating light from a light source 130 to visible light and invisible light; a control part 120 generating visible light control information for increasing the transmittance of the visible light in accordance with the brightness value of every pixel of an image signal, and also generating invisible light control information for decreasing the transmittance of the invisible light in accordance with the brightness value; a visible light control part 150 adjusting the quantity of the visible light for every pixel based on the visible light control information; an invisible light control part 160 adjusting the quantity of the invisible light for every pixel based on the invisible light control information; and a projection part 190 projecting the visible light output from the visible light control part 150 and the invisible light output from the invisible light control part 160 toward the screen 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a projector and a projection system.

  The portion that appears black in the image projected by the projector is a portion where light is not actually projected, and is a portion that is reflected by the color of the screen. Generally, a screen having a large reflection coefficient is used.

  In order to make black appear blacker, it is considered that the black portion on the screen is detected and the reflection coefficient of the portion of the screen is lowered. This improves the contrast ratio and black-and-white ratio of the observed image.

  For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-365730, the surface of a fine element that exists in a black portion of a projected image is in a low reflectance state, and the surface of a fine element that exists in a portion other than black in a projected image. A projector screen that is in a highly reflective state is described.

  Further, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-62042 describes a projector screen in which the reflectance for visible light in a specific wavelength band is different from the reflectance for visible light in other wavelength bands.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-114763 describes that the amount of reflected light incident on the screen is adjusted by controlling the screen based on a control signal based on a video signal.
JP 2002-365730 A JP 2004-62042 A JP 2005-114763 A

  However, in the method of changing the reflectance by detecting the color or wavelength on the screen side as in JP-A-2002-365730 and JP-A-2004-62042, the influence of external light or shadow on the screen is affected. Easy to receive. For example, in the case of the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-365730, when a shadow appears on the screen, it is misrecognized that black is projected on the portion where the shadow is reflected and is set to a low reflectance so that the shadow becomes more noticeable. End up.

  In addition, the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-114763 is a control method based on the maximum value, the average value, and the number of appearances of the brightness value in the entire image, and thus performs control according to the brightness value for each pixel. It is not possible.

  The objective of this invention is providing the projector and projection system which can adjust the reflectance of a screen more appropriately.

In order to solve the above problems, a projector according to the present invention provides:
In a projector that projects projection light toward a screen formed so that the reflectance decreases as the amount of invisible light increases,
The projector is
A light separation unit that separates light from the light source into visible light and invisible light;
Visible light control information for increasing the transmittance or reflectance of the visible light according to the brightness value for each pixel of the image signal or for each pixel block composed of a plurality of pixels is generated, and the brightness value is set to the brightness value. A control unit for generating invisible light control information for reducing the transmittance or reflectance of the invisible light according to
Based on the visible light control information, a visible light dimming unit that adjusts the amount of visible light for each pixel or each pixel block;
Based on the invisible light control information, an invisible light dimming unit that adjusts the amount of the invisible light for each pixel or each pixel block;
A projection unit that projects visible light output from the visible light dimming unit and invisible light output from the invisible light dimming unit toward the screen;
It is characterized by including.

  A projection system according to the present invention includes the projector and the screen.

  According to the present invention, when a single light source is used, the projection system projects a portion with a low brightness value with invisible light, and the screen decreases the reflectance of the screen as the amount of invisible light increases. By doing so, display with high contrast can be performed. In addition, according to the present invention, the projection system can adjust the reflectance for each pixel or pixel block, and therefore can perform a display more suitable for an actual image.

The projector according to the present invention is
In a projector that projects projection light toward a screen formed so that the reflectance decreases as the amount of invisible light increases,
The projector is
A visible light source that emits visible light;
An invisible light source that emits invisible light; and
Visible light control information for increasing the transmittance or reflectance of the visible light according to the brightness value for each pixel of the image signal or for each pixel block composed of a plurality of pixels is generated, and the brightness value is set to the brightness value. A control unit for generating invisible light control information for reducing the transmittance or reflectance of the invisible light according to
Based on the visible light control information, a visible light dimming unit that adjusts the amount of visible light for each pixel or each pixel block;
Based on the invisible light control information, an invisible light dimming unit that adjusts the amount of the invisible light for each pixel or each pixel block;
A projection unit that projects visible light output from the visible light dimming unit and invisible light output from the invisible light dimming unit toward the screen;
It is characterized by including.

  A projection system according to the present invention includes the projector and the screen.

  According to the present invention, when the projection system uses a plurality of light sources, the projector projects a portion with a low brightness value with invisible light, and the screen reduces the reflectance of the screen as the amount of invisible light increases. By doing so, display with high contrast can be performed. In addition, according to the present invention, the projection system can adjust the reflectance for each pixel or pixel block, and therefore can perform a display more suitable for an actual image.

The projector according to the present invention is
In a projector that projects projection light toward a screen formed so that the reflectance decreases as the amount of invisible light increases,
The projector is
A light separation unit that separates light from the light source into visible light and invisible light;
A dimming unit that adjusts the amount of the visible light and the invisible light for each pixel of the image signal or for each pixel block composed of a plurality of pixels;
A projection unit that projects visible light and invisible light output from the light control unit toward the screen;
Including
The light control unit performs light control opposite to that at the time of projecting the image during control before projecting the image.

  A projection system according to the present invention includes the projector and the screen.

  According to the present invention, when a single light source is used, the projection system projects a portion with a low brightness value with invisible light, and the screen decreases the reflectance of the screen as the amount of invisible light increases. By doing so, display with high contrast can be performed. In addition, according to the present invention, the projection system can adjust the reflectance for each pixel or pixel block, and therefore can perform a display more suitable for an actual image.

The projector according to the present invention is
In a projector that projects projection light toward a screen formed so that the reflectance decreases as the amount of invisible light increases,
The projector is
A visible light source that emits visible light;
An invisible light source that emits invisible light; and
A dimming unit that adjusts the amount of the visible light and the invisible light for each pixel of the image signal or for each pixel block composed of a plurality of pixels;
A projection unit that projects visible light and invisible light output from the light control unit toward the screen;
Including
The light control unit performs light control opposite to that at the time of projecting the image during control before projecting the image.

  A projection system according to the present invention includes the projector and the screen.

  According to the present invention, when the projection system uses a plurality of light sources, the projector projects a portion with a low brightness value with invisible light, and the screen reduces the reflectance of the screen as the amount of invisible light increases. By doing so, display with high contrast can be performed. In addition, according to the present invention, the projection system can adjust the reflectance for each pixel or pixel block, and therefore can perform a display more suitable for an actual image.

  Hereinafter, an example in which the present invention is applied to a projector will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the Example shown below does not limit the content of the invention described in the claim at all. In addition, all of the configurations shown in the following embodiments are not necessarily essential as means for solving the problems described in the claims.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the relationship between the image 10 and the reflectance of the screen 20 in the first embodiment.

  The image 10 is assumed to be composed of a white area 12 and a black area 14. The white area 12 is a bright area whose luminance value is a predetermined value (for example, 30, 10, 1, etc. in 8-bit representation) or more, and the black area 14 is a dark area whose luminance value is less than the predetermined value. . In practice, there are also an image composed of only the white region 12 and an image composed of only the black region 14.

  The projector projects the image 10 on the screen 20. In the screen 20, the white area 12 is a highly reflective area 22 having a high reflectance, and the black area 14 is a low reflecting area 24 having a low reflectance. In the following embodiment, the projector projects visible light on the white region 12 and invisible light (also referred to as invisible light) on the black region 14, thereby reducing the high reflection region 22 on the screen 20. A reflection region 24 is formed.

  Examples of the screen 20 include a screen formed of a liquid crystal panel described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-114763, a screen having a different reflectance for each wavelength band described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-62042, and the like. It may be adopted.

  The projector configuration and projection procedure for implementing such functions will be described below.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the projector 100 in the first embodiment.

  The projector 100 includes a light source 130, a light separation unit 140 that separates light from the light source 130 into visible light and invisible light, an image signal input unit 110 that inputs an image signal from an external device such as a PC (Personal Computer), Visible light control information for increasing the transmittance of visible light as the luminance value for each pixel of the image signal increases, and invisible light control information for decreasing the transmittance of invisible light as the luminance value increases. The control part 120 to produce | generate is comprised.

  The projector 100 also includes a visible light dimming unit 150 that adjusts the amount of visible light for each pixel based on visible light control information, and an invisible light that adjusts the amount of invisible light for each pixel based on invisible light control information. The light control unit 160 includes a projection unit 190 that projects the visible light output from the visible light control unit 150 and the invisible light output from the invisible light control unit 160 toward the screen 20. Yes.

  Note that, for example, the following can be adopted as hardware for mounting the functions of these units in the projector 100. For example, the image signal input unit 110 is an input port, the control unit 120 is a CPU, the light source 130 is a lamp, the light separation unit 140 transmits invisible light (for example, infrared light), and the like. The visible light dimming unit 150 includes a visible light filter that transmits only visible light, a liquid crystal panel whose transmittance changes according to voltage application, and the like. A prism, a lens, or the like may be employed as the projection unit 190, such as an invisible light filter that only transmits light, a liquid crystal panel whose transmittance changes according to voltage application, and the like. Moreover, you may use the mirror for adjusting the optical axis of visible light and invisible light.

  Next, an image projection procedure by the projector 100 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a projection procedure in the first embodiment.

  First, the light separation unit 140 separates light from the light source 130 into visible light and invisible light (step S1).

  The image signal input unit 110 receives an image signal from a PC or the like, and the control unit 120 generates visible light control information based on the image signal (step S2). More specifically, for example, the control unit 120 generates visible light control information for transmitting visible light so that the transmittance increases as the luminance value increases for a pixel whose luminance value is a predetermined value or more. The visible light control information may be information indicating the driving voltage of the liquid crystal panel, for example.

  Moreover, the control part 120 produces | generates invisible light control information based on an image signal (step S3). More specifically, for example, the control unit 120 generates invisible light control information for transmitting invisible light so that the transmittance decreases as the luminance value increases for a pixel having a luminance value less than a predetermined value. The invisible light control information may be information indicating a driving voltage of the liquid crystal panel, for example.

  The visible light dimming unit 150 adjusts the amount of visible light by setting the transmittance of the liquid crystal panel for each pixel based on the visible light control information from the control unit 120 (step S4).

  The invisible light dimming unit 160 adjusts the amount of invisible light by setting the transmittance of the liquid crystal panel for each pixel based on the invisible light control information from the control unit 120 (step S5).

  Then, the projecting unit 190 projects the visible light from the visible light dimming unit 150 and the invisible light from the invisible light dimming unit 160 toward the screen 20 (step S6). For example, when the liquid crystal panel includes three liquid crystal panels of R, G, and B, the projection unit 190 may synthesize and project the light transmitted through the liquid crystal panels.

  The screen 20 controls the elements, the deflection direction, and the like in the screen 20 so as to reduce the reflectance of the invisible light detection portion (step S7). Thereby, for example, when the projector 100 projects the image 10 shown in FIG. 1, the high reflection region 22 and the low reflection region 24 are formed on the screen 20.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the projector 100 uses one light source 130, a portion having a low luminance value is projected with invisible light, and the screen 20 increases as the amount of invisible light increases. By reducing the reflectance, high contrast display can be performed. In addition, according to the present embodiment, the projector 100 can adjust the reflectance for each pixel, and therefore can perform a display more suitable for an actual image than when adjusting the reflectance for each image.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the projector 102 in the second embodiment.

  The projector 102 of the second embodiment includes a visible light source 132 that emits visible light and an invisible light source 134 that emits invisible light instead of the light source 130 and the light separation unit 140 described above.

  As described above, even when the visible light source 132 and the invisible light source 134 are used, the projection system including the projector 102 can display a high-contrast image as in the first embodiment.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the projector 104 in the third embodiment.

  The projector 104 is different from the projector 100 in that it includes a control unit 122 instead of the control unit 120 and a light control unit 170 instead of the visible light light control unit 150 and the invisible light light control unit 160.

  Here, the light control unit 170 has a function of adjusting the light transmittance for each pixel regardless of visible light or invisible light. Further, the control unit 122 has a function of generating control information (specifically, for example, information indicating a driving voltage of the liquid crystal panel) for adjusting the transmittance.

  Next, an image projection procedure using the light control unit 170 and the like will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a projection procedure in the third embodiment.

  First, the light separation unit 140 separates the light from the light source 130 into visible light and invisible light (step S11).

  The image signal input unit 110 receives an image signal from a PC or the like, and the control unit 122 generates control information for control based on the image signal (step S12). More specifically, for example, the control unit 122 blocks light for pixels having a luminance value equal to or higher than a predetermined value (for example, 30, 10, 1, etc.), and performs light for pixels whose luminance value is less than the predetermined value. The control information for transmitting is generated. For example, when the control information is information indicating the driving voltage of the liquid crystal panel, the control unit 122 displays information indicating V2 for a pixel having a luminance value equal to or higher than a predetermined value and V1 for a pixel having a luminance value lower than the predetermined value. Generated as control information.

  The dimmer 170 adjusts the transmittance so as to transmit invisible light and block visible light by setting the transmittance of the liquid crystal panel for each pixel based on the control information from the control unit 122 (step). S13).

  And the projection part 190 projects the projection light from the light control part 170 toward the screen 20 (step S14).

  The screen 20 controls the elements, the deflection direction, and the like in the screen 20 so as to reduce the reflectance of the invisible light detection portion (step S15). Thereby, for example, when the projector 104 projects the image 10 shown in FIG. 1, the high reflection region 22 and the low reflection region 24 are formed on the screen 20. Further, the screen 20 maintains the set reflectance until the next invisible light is received.

  And the control part 122 produces | generates the control information for normal times based on an image signal (step S16). More specifically, for example, the control unit 122 generates control information for transmitting light for pixels having a luminance value equal to or greater than a predetermined value and blocking light for pixels having a luminance value less than the predetermined value. . For example, when the control information is information indicating the driving voltage of the liquid crystal panel, the control unit 122 is information indicating V1 for a pixel having a luminance value equal to or higher than the predetermined value and V2 for a pixel having a luminance value lower than the predetermined value. Is generated as control information.

  The light control unit 170 adjusts the transmittance so as to transmit visible light and block invisible light by setting the transmittance of the liquid crystal panel for each pixel based on the control information from the control unit 122 (step). S17).

  And the projection part 190 projects the projection light from the light control part 170 toward the screen 20 (step S18).

  According to the above procedure, the projector 104 can perform high-contrast display by projecting a normal image (for example, a still image) after setting the reflectance of the screen 20 during control. In addition, according to the present embodiment, the projector 104 can adjust the reflectance for each pixel, and therefore can perform a display more suitable for an actual image.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the projector 104 only needs to perform dimming in the opposite direction between the control time and the normal time, so that high-contrast display can be performed with a simple configuration.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the projector 106 in the fourth embodiment.

  The projector 106 includes a light source 130 described in the third embodiment, a visible light source 132 that emits visible light, and an invisible light source 134 that emits invisible light, instead of the light separation unit 140.

  As described above, even when the visible light source 132 and the invisible light source 134 are used, the projection system including the projector 106 can display a high-contrast image as in the third embodiment.

(Other examples)
In addition, application of this invention is not limited to the Example mentioned above, A various deformation | transformation is possible.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the luminance value is used as the brightness value. However, for example, an image signal value (RGB value or the like) may be used.

  In the above-described embodiments, the projectors 100 to 106 adjust the transmittance and the like for each pixel. However, the projectors 100 to 106 are configured by a plurality of pixels and can adjust the transmittance and the like for each pixel block smaller than the entire screen. Good.

  In the above-described embodiments, the projectors 100 to 106 adjust the transmittance. However, in the case of a method of reflecting light and projecting, the reflectance may be adjusted.

  Moreover, invisible light is not limited to infrared light, For example, ultraviolet light etc. may be sufficient.

  Further, for example, a signal indicating that control is being performed in the third and fourth embodiments is transmitted from the projectors 104 and 106 to the screen 20, and the reflectance of the screen 20 is changed only when the screen 20 detects the signal. It may be changed.

  Further, for example, in the third and fourth embodiments, the control unit 122 is used, but without using the control unit 122, the dimming unit 170 is controlled based on time, image switching, and the like. Dimming may be performed by switching between and.

  The projectors 100 to 106 are not limited to liquid crystal projectors, and are, for example, projectors using DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) developed by Texas Instruments, Inc., CRT projectors, projectors using organic EL, and the like. Also good. For example, the present invention is also effective when an image is projected by reflecting light with a minute mirror provided for each pixel.

It is a figure which shows the relationship between the image in 1st Example, and the reflectance of a screen. It is a functional block diagram of the projector in a 1st Example. It is a flowchart which shows the projection procedure in a 1st Example. It is a functional block diagram of the projector in a 2nd Example. It is a functional block diagram of the projector in a 3rd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the projection procedure in a 3rd Example. It is a functional block diagram of the projector in a 4th Example.

Explanation of symbols

  10 images, 12 white areas, 14 black areas, 20 screens, 22 high reflection areas, 24 low reflection areas, 100, 102, 104, 106 projectors, 110 image signal input sections, 120, 122 control sections, 130 light sources, 132 visible Light source, 134 Invisible light source, 140 Light separation unit, 150 Visible light dimming unit, 160 Invisible light dimming unit, 170 Dimming unit, 190 Projection unit

Claims (5)

In a projector that projects projection light toward a screen formed so that the reflectance decreases as the amount of invisible light increases,
The projector is
A light separation unit that separates light from the light source into visible light and invisible light;
Visible light control information for increasing the transmittance or reflectance of the visible light according to the brightness value for each pixel of the image signal or for each pixel block composed of a plurality of pixels is generated, and the brightness value is set to the brightness value. A control unit for generating invisible light control information for reducing the transmittance or reflectance of the invisible light according to
Based on the visible light control information, a visible light dimming unit that adjusts the amount of visible light for each pixel or each pixel block;
Based on the invisible light control information, an invisible light dimming unit that adjusts the amount of the invisible light for each pixel or each pixel block;
A projection unit that projects visible light output from the visible light dimming unit and invisible light output from the invisible light dimming unit toward the screen;
Including a projector. In a projector that projects projection light toward a screen formed so that the reflectance decreases as the amount of invisible light increases,
The projector is
A visible light source that emits visible light;
An invisible light source that emits invisible light; and
Visible light control information for increasing the transmittance or reflectance of the visible light according to the brightness value for each pixel of the image signal or for each pixel block composed of a plurality of pixels is generated, and the brightness value is set to the brightness value. A control unit for generating invisible light control information for reducing the transmittance or reflectance of the invisible light according to
Based on the visible light control information, a visible light dimming unit that adjusts the amount of visible light for each pixel or each pixel block;
Based on the invisible light control information, an invisible light dimming unit that adjusts the amount of the invisible light for each pixel or each pixel block;
A projection unit that projects visible light output from the visible light dimming unit and invisible light output from the invisible light dimming unit toward the screen;
Including a projector. In a projector that projects projection light toward a screen formed so that the reflectance decreases as the amount of invisible light increases,
The projector is
A light separation unit that separates light from the light source into visible light and invisible light;
A dimming unit that adjusts the amount of the visible light and the invisible light for each pixel of the image signal or for each pixel block composed of a plurality of pixels;
A projection unit that projects visible light and invisible light output from the light control unit toward the screen;
Including
The projector is characterized in that the light control unit performs light control opposite to that at the time of projecting the image during control before projecting the image. In a projector that projects projection light toward a screen formed so that the reflectance decreases as the amount of invisible light increases,
The projector is
A visible light source that emits visible light;
An invisible light source that emits invisible light; and
A dimming unit that adjusts the amount of the visible light and the invisible light for each pixel of the image signal or for each pixel block composed of a plurality of pixels;
A projection unit that projects visible light and invisible light output from the light control unit toward the screen;
Including
The projector is characterized in that the light control unit performs light control opposite to that at the time of projecting the image during control before projecting the image.   A projection system comprising the projector according to claim 1 and the screen.

Images