JP2008225594A - Projector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent illegal use and theft of a projector, and to reduce an operation load by a user, and to reduce manufacturing costs. <P>SOLUTION: A control part determines whether or not a theft preventing function is turned ON (S21), and when the theft prevention function is turned ON (S22: YES), the control part prompts a user to input a password (S23), and compares the password input by the user with a password stored in a memory (S24). As a result, when the passwords are the same (S25: YES), the control part permits the user to change and input a trapezoid correction value (S26), and a trapezoid correction value to be changed is input by the user. On the other hand, when those passwords are different (S25: NO) as the comparison result of step S24, the control part turns on a start password request flag stored in the memory (S27), and shuts down the projector 1, and turns off the power source of the device main body (S28). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a projector, and more particularly to an antitheft technique.

  In recent years, projectors that are relatively small and easy to carry have become widespread. However, this type of projector may be stolen because it is easy to carry. For this reason, a projector having a function that prompts the user to input a password when starting the projector and allows the operation of the projector only when the input password matches a preset password is known ( For example, see Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2). Since these projectors cannot be used even if they are stolen, they can prevent unauthorized use and are useful for preventing theft. However, these projectors have a problem that the operation is complicated for the user because the user must input the password every time the projector is started.

  With respect to the above problem, Patent Literature 3 and Patent Literature 4 include an angle sensor that detects the installation posture of the apparatus main body, and the preset angle is different from the angle detected by the angle sensor during use. In addition, a projector that prevents unauthorized use by prompting a user to input a password is disclosed. However, since this projector needs to include an angle sensor for detecting the installation posture of the projector, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost of the projector increases.

JP 2006-189888 A JP 2006-235000 A JP 2006-308826 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-301177

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a projector capable of preventing unauthorized use and preventing theft, reducing the operation burden on the user, and reducing the manufacturing cost. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 generates an image based on image data output from a computer or the like using a light source that emits light for image projection and light emitted from the light source. An image forming element, an image projecting means for projecting an image formed by the image forming element, a password for determining whether or not the user is a valid user of the apparatus, and an image projected from the image projecting means By storing the trapezoidal correction value for correcting according to the inclination of the device and the activation password request flag which is information as to whether or not the user is requested to input a password when the apparatus is activated, and being operated by the user, Entering a password, entering the keystone correction value, or switching on / off the anti-theft function that requires password entry when changing the keystone correction value In a projector comprising an operation means for inputting instructions for instructing and the like and a control means for controlling each part of the apparatus, the control means has an activation password request flag stored in the storage means when the apparatus is activated. Check whether it is on or off, and prompt the user for a password when the activation password request flag is on, then compare the password entered by the user with the password stored in the storage means, If the passwords match, the user is allowed to use the device, and if these passwords do not match, the device body is turned off, the anti-theft function is on, and When the user instructs the operation means to start changing the trapezoid correction value stored in the storage means, the password is given to the user. After prompting the input, the password entered by the user is compared with the password stored in the storage means, and if these passwords match, the user is allowed to enter the keystone correction value change input, If these passwords do not match, the activation password request flag stored in the storage means is turned on, and then the apparatus main body is turned off.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light source that emits light for image projection, an image forming element that generates an image based on image data output from a computer or the like using the light emitted from the light source, and the image An image projecting unit that projects an image formed by the forming element, a password for determining whether or not the user is a valid user, and an adjustment value for adjusting an image projected from the image projecting unit are stored. And a storage unit that is operated by a user to input a password and input the adjustment value, and a control unit that controls each unit of the apparatus. Stores the password input by the user and the storage means when the operation means instructs the start of the adjustment value change process stored in the storage means. It is in and compared with the password, if the passwords are coincident, is to allow changes input of the adjustment value to the user.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the projector according to the second aspect, the operation means instructs the apparatus to switch on / off state of an anti-theft function that requires password input when changing the adjustment value. The control means is instructed by the operation means that the anti-theft function is on and the user starts the adjustment value change process stored in the storage means. Sometimes, after prompting the user to input a password, the password entered by the user is compared with the password stored in the storage means, and if these passwords match, the user Change input is permitted.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the anti-theft function is on and the user instructs the operation means to start changing the trapezoid correction value stored in the storage means, After prompting the user to input a password, the password input by the user is compared with the password stored in the storage means. Then, if these passwords match, the user is allowed to change the keystone correction value, and if these passwords do not match, after turning on the activation password request flag stored in the storage means, Turn off the device. Therefore, even if the projector of the present invention is stolen, the keystone correction value cannot be changed in accordance with the installation position unless the theft person inputs the password stored in the storage means. Therefore, since illegal use by the theft can be prevented, theft can be prevented.

  In addition, the control means prompts the user to input a password only when the activation password request flag is on at the time of starting the apparatus. Therefore, during normal use when the activation password request flag is off, the control means inputs the password to the user. Does not prompt. Therefore, the operation burden on the user can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to provide an angle sensor as in the case of a conventional projector, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the control means stores the password input by the user and the storage means when the operation means instructs the start of the adjustment value change process stored in the storage means. If these passwords match, the user is allowed to change the adjustment value. Therefore, even if the projector of the present invention is stolen, the keystone correction value cannot be changed in accordance with the installation position unless the theft person inputs the password stored in the storage means. Therefore, since illegal use by the theft can be prevented, theft can be prevented. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide an angle sensor as in the prior art, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, a projector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows the internal configuration of the projector 1. The projector 1 is an apparatus that forms an image using image data input from, for example, a personal computer or a video camera, and projects the formed image on an enlarged screen or the like provided in front of the projector 1.

  The projector 1 includes a signal input terminal 16 to which image data output from a personal computer, a video camera or the like is input, and a remote control receiver 17 that receives a code signal transmitted from a remote controller (operation means) 2 operated by a user. And a lamp unit 13 (image projection means) having a lamp 13a (light source) that emits light for image projection, and a micromirror element, and from the signal input terminal 16 using light emitted from the lamp 13a. A DMD (image forming element) 12 that generates an image based on input image data, a fan unit 14 that has a fan 14a that blows air for cooling the lamp 13a, and a memory (memory) that stores various information Means) 15 and a control part (control means) 11 for controlling each part of the apparatus.

  The memory 15 includes a password for determining whether or not the user is an authorized user of the projector 1 and a keystone correction value for correcting the image projected from the lamp unit 13 according to the inclination of the projector 1 main body. ), An activation password request flag that is information as to whether or not the user is requested to input a password when the projector 1 is activated, and an on / off state of an anti-theft function to be described later.

  The remote controller 2 is for instructing various operations on the projector 1 and has a plurality of operation keys 21 operated by the user. The user operates the remote controller 2 to input a password, a keystone correction value, an on / off state switching of an anti-theft function that requires password input when changing the keystone correction value, and the like. To direct. The remote controller 2 transmits a code signal corresponding to the operation by the user to the projector 1 as an infrared signal.

  The remote control receiving unit 17 receives an infrared signal that is a code signal transmitted from the remote control 2, converts the infrared signal into a corresponding electric pulse signal, and outputs it to the control unit 11.

  The control unit 11 transmits a mirror driving signal and a DMD control signal to the DMD 12, an on / off control signal of the lamp 13 a to the lamp unit 13, and a rotation speed control signal of the fan 14 a to the fan unit 14. The control unit 11 corrects image data output from a personal computer, a video camera, or the like based on the trapezoid correction value stored in the memory 15 and projects it on a screen or the like. Further, the control unit 11 determines the content of the code signal output from the remote controller 2 based on the electric pulse signal received from the remote control receiving unit 17 and controls the operation of each unit of the apparatus.

  Next, the trapezoid correction value stored in the memory 15 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the projector 1 permanently installed on the ceiling 3 is viewed from the side. The screen 4 is installed perpendicular to the ceiling 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the projector 1 cannot project an image with no inclination from the front with respect to the screen 4, so that the image projected on the screen 4 is distorted into a trapezoidal state. The control unit 11 corrects the distortion of the image in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction based on the trapezoidal correction value corresponding to the angle r at which the projector 1 is inclined obliquely with respect to the ceiling 3, and projects the corrected image on the screen. Therefore, the image projected on the screen 4 is an image projected on the screen 4 with no inclination from the front. Note that the trapezoidal correction value based on the angle r is stored in the memory 15, and normally, the trapezoidal correction value is not changed unless the angle r is changed.

  Next, the initial setting process of the projector 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, when the user operates the remote controller 2 from the installation posture of the projector 1 to input a keystone correction value (S1), the control unit 11 stores the input keystone correction value in the memory 15 (S2). . Then, when the user operates the remote controller 2 to set the anti-theft function to the on state (S3) and the password is input (S4), the control unit 11 stores the input password in the memory 15. (S5), the process ends. In S4, the user inputs two types of “activation password” that prompts the user to input when starting the projector 1 and “password” that prompts the user to input when changing other settings. . The two types of passwords may be the same. Further, two or more types of passwords may be input by the user according to the type of change of various settings, and the input passwords may be stored in the memory 15.

  Next, processing when the projector 1 is activated will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. When the projector 1 is activated, the control unit 11 checks whether the activation password request flag stored in the memory 15 is on or off (S11). If the activation password request flag is on (YES in S12), the control unit 11 activates the user. After prompting the input of the password (S13), it is compared whether or not the activation password input by the user matches the activation password stored in the memory 15 (S14). As a result, if these activation passwords match (YES in S15), the user is permitted to use the device (S16).

  On the other hand, if the passwords do not match as a result of the comparison in S14 (NO in S15), the control unit 11 shuts down the projector 1 and turns off the power of the apparatus main body (S17). As a result of the determination in S11, if the activation password request flag is off (NO in S12), the control unit 11 performs the process 16 without performing the processes in S12 to S15.

  Next, the keystone correction value changing process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the projector 1 has already been enabled by the process shown in FIG. 4 and the user has instructed the start of the process for changing the trapezoid correction value stored in the memory 15. First, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the anti-theft function is on (S21). If the anti-theft function is on (YES in S22), the control unit 11 prompts the user to input a password ( In step S23, the password input by the user is compared with the password stored in the memory 15 (S24).

  As a result of the comparison in S24, if the passwords match (YES in S25), the control unit 11 allows the user to input the keystone correction value (S26), and the user inputs the keystone correction value to be changed. The On the other hand, if the passwords do not match as a result of the above 24 (NO in S25), the control unit 11 turns on the startup password request flag stored in the memory 15 (S27), and then shuts down the projector 1. The apparatus main body is turned off (S28).

  As a result of the above 21, if the anti-theft function is off (NO in S22), the control unit 11 ends the process without performing the processes after S23.

  As described above, according to the projector 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the projector 1 is activated, the control unit 11 checks whether the activation password request flag stored in the memory 15 is on or off, and activates the activation password. If the request flag is off, the user is allowed to use the device without checking the activation password. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the operation burden of password input by the user during normal use in which the activation password request flag is off.

  Further, the control unit 11 prompts the user to input a password when the anti-theft function is on and the user instructs to start the process of changing the keystone correction value stored in the memory 15. The password input by the user is compared with the password stored in the memory 15. If these passwords match, the user is allowed to change the keystone correction value. If these passwords do not match, the activation password request flag stored in the memory 15 is turned on. Turn off the device. Therefore, even if the projector 1 is stolen, the keystone correction value cannot be changed in accordance with the installation position unless the theft person inputs the password stored in the memory 15. Therefore, since illegal use by the theft can be prevented, theft can be prevented.

  Further, since the projector 1 does not need to include an angle sensor unlike a conventional projector, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the structure of the said embodiment, A various change is possible in the range which does not change the meaning of invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the user inputs a password or the like using the remote controller 2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an operation button or the like is provided on the projector body, and the user uses this to input a password or the like. May be performed.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a projector according to an embodiment of the invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the installation state of the said projector. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of initial setting processing of the projector. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process at the time of starting of the said projector. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the change process of the trapezoid correction value of the said projector.

Explanation of symbols

1 Projector 2 Remote control (operating means)
11 Control unit (control means)
12 DMD (image forming device)
13 Lamp unit (image projection means)
13a lamp (light source)
14 Fan unit 14a Fan 15 Memory (storage means)
16 Signal input terminal 17 Remote control receiver

Claims (3)

A light source that emits light for image projection;
An image forming element that generates an image based on image data output from a computer or the like, using light emitted from the light source;
Image projecting means for projecting an image formed by the image forming element;
A password for determining whether or not the user is a valid user of the apparatus, a keystone correction value for correcting the image projected from the image projection unit according to the inclination of the apparatus body, and a password input to the user when the apparatus is activated Storage means for storing an activation password request flag which is information as to whether or not to obtain;
When operated by the user, the device is instructed to switch on / off the anti-theft function that requires password input, keystone correction value input, or password input when changing the keystone correction value. Operating means for inputting instructions for
In a projector comprising control means for controlling each part of the device,
The control means includes
The password entered by the user after checking whether the activation password request flag stored in the storage means is on or off when the apparatus is activated, and prompting the user to enter the password when the activation password request flag is on And the password stored in the storage means,
If these passwords match, allow the user to use the device,
If these passwords do not match, turn off the power to the main unit,
After prompting the user to input a password when the anti-theft function is on and the user instructs the operation means to start changing the keystone correction value stored in the storage means, Compare the password entered by the user with the password stored in the storage means,
If these passwords match, the user is allowed to change the keystone correction value,
If these passwords do not match, the projector is turned off after the activation password request flag stored in the storage means is turned on. A light source that emits light for image projection;
An image forming element that generates an image based on image data output from a computer or the like, using light emitted from the light source;
Image projecting means for projecting an image formed by the image forming element;
Storage means for storing a password for determining whether the user is a valid user of the apparatus, and an adjustment value for adjusting an image projected from the image projection means;
By operating by a user, an operation means for inputting a password and inputting the adjustment value;
In a projector comprising control means for controlling each part of the device,
The control means compares the password input by the user with the password stored in the storage means when the user instructs the operation means to start the adjustment value change process stored in the storage means. And
If these passwords match, the projector is allowed to allow the user to input change of the adjustment value. The operation means can be used for instruction input to instruct the device to switch on / off state of an anti-theft function that requires input of a password when changing the adjustment value,
The control means is configured to input a password to the user when the anti-theft function is on and the user instructs the operation means to start the adjustment value stored in the storage means. After prompting, compare the password entered by the user with the password stored in the storage means,
The projector according to claim 2, wherein when the passwords match, the user is permitted to input the adjustment value.

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