JP2008275896A - Image projection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image projection device which operates various functions without further providing an operation member such as a switch or a button, superior in operability and design properties, and further reducing its size. <P>SOLUTION: A portable projector 13 as the image projection device includes a light source 1, a rod integrator 2, a liquid crystal optical modulator 3, a projection lens 4, a projection image generation means 11, a means 16 for detecting motion, and a means 17 for varying projection image information in accordance with an image signal. The means 16 for detecting motion detects acceleration when vertically moved, for example. When it detects the acceleration at a certain level or more, in response to the detected electric signal, an LED driver 12 performs on/off switching of an LED so that the LED is turned off when the LED is in an on-state, and the LED is turned on when the LED is in an off-state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image projection apparatus that projects an image formed by being modulated by a spatial light modulation apparatus using a projection optical system, and more particularly to a portable image projection apparatus that can be held by hand.

Conventionally, a projector (image projection apparatus) including an illumination system including a light source, a spatial light modulation device illuminated by the illumination system, and a projection lens that forms an image of the spatial light modulation device has been proposed and spread. Yes. Along with this, the demand for miniaturization of projectors is rapidly increasing.
Furthermore, LED light sources are becoming popular as light sources, and electronic devices in which a projector is mounted on a small device such as a cellular phone are disclosed.
Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which whether or not a formed image is inverted based on top and bottom information at the time of shooting with a camera mounted on a mobile phone, and the image formed on the spatial light modulation device is inverted. Yes.
That is, the spatial light modulator is provided with a rotating means for rotating the spatial light modulator around an axis substantially parallel to the optical axis of the projection optical system so that an erect image is always projected.

Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which a pointing function is provided in a projector.
The projector is held and moved, and the projected image is updated in accordance with the movement, and the projected image is displayed as if it were still with respect to the background image. Furthermore, a cursor that moves in accordance with the movement of the projector held in the hand is displayed superimposed on the projected image.
Further, a configuration in which a switch such as a button or a lever is provided in the projector as a switch function of the pointing function is disclosed.

JP 2006-115485 A JP 2005-266471 A

However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose means or a switch function for actively moving the projector and changing image information to be projected.
In Patent Document 2, since a switch for changing the function is provided in the projector itself, the degree of freedom in design is limited and it is not suitable for miniaturization.
In addition, the presence of the switch may cause a feeling of wearing (feel) when holding the projector, and there is an annoyance that requires extra care not to press the switch unexpectedly.
Further, the switch operation as a small component for the projector main body is troublesome, and it is inevitable that the operability of the projector body decreases as the size is reduced.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide an image projection apparatus that can operate various functions without newly providing operation members such as switches and buttons, has excellent operability and design, and can contribute to further miniaturization. And

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the movement of the image projection apparatus itself is detected, and various functions are operated or switched based on an electric signal obtained by converting the movement.
Specifically, in the first aspect of the invention, a light source, a spatial light modulation device, an illumination optical system that causes light from the light source to enter the spatial light modulation device, and the spatial light modulation device are modulated. A projection optical system for projecting the projected image, and a projection image generation means for generating an image formed by the spatial light modulation device, the means for detecting the movement of the image projection device, Means for changing projection image information of a projection image projected by the projection optical system in accordance with an electrical signal from a means for detecting motion.
When the image projection device is moved, the projection image information can be changed, and information relating to the operation of the image projection device can be easily controlled, such as sending a page of a still image, adjusting the focus, and changing the magnification. I was able to.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image projection apparatus according to the first aspect, the means for changing the projection image information has a function of changing the light amount of the projection image.
When the image projection device is moved, the amount of light of the projected image is changed so that the brightness of the projected image, the chromaticity balance adjustment, the black display of the projected image can be switched easily, and the like.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image projecting device according to the second aspect, the amount of light of the projected image is changed by changing the amount of light of the light source.
By moving the image projection device, the amount of light from the light source can be adjusted, making it easy to adjust the brightness of the projected image, adjust the chromaticity balance, and switch the black display of the projected image.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image projection device according to the second aspect, the change in the light amount of the projected image is made by modulating the spatial light modulation device.
When the image projection device is moved, the spatial light modulation device is modulated so that the brightness of the projected image, the chromaticity balance adjustment, the switching of the black display of the projected image, and the like can be easily performed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image projection apparatus according to the first aspect, the means for changing the projection image information has a function of changing ON / OFF of a power source.
When the image projector is moved, the power can be easily turned on and off.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image projection apparatus according to the first aspect, the means for changing the projection image information has a function of changing an image signal of the original image.
When the image projection device is moved, the image signal of the original image can be changed, so that page feed of still images and movie feed can be easily operated.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image projection apparatus according to the first aspect, the projection optical system includes a magnification conversion unit that converts a magnification, and the unit that changes the projection image information has a function of changing the magnification. It is characterized by having.
When the image projector is moved, the magnification of the projection lens can be converted, and the size of the projected image can be easily changed.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image projection apparatus according to the first aspect, the projection optical system includes a focal position adjusting unit that adjusts a focal position, and the unit that changes the projection image information includes the focal position. It has a function to change.
The focal position of the projection lens can be adjusted by moving the image projector.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image projection device according to the first aspect, the image projection apparatus has a camera shake correction mechanism, and the means for changing the projection image information has a function of changing ON / OFF of the camera shake correction mechanism. It is characterized by being.
The camera shake correction mechanism can be switched on and off by moving the image projection device.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image projecting device according to the first aspect, the pointing mechanism and the camera shake correction mechanism are provided, and the means for changing the projection image information is a function for changing ON / OFF of the pointing mechanism. It is characterized by having.
When moving the image projection device, the cursor can be displayed or hidden on the projection surface.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image projection apparatus according to the first aspect, the pointing mechanism and the camera shake correction mechanism have a mechanism for changing the projection image information, and the cursor displayed by the pointing mechanism is moved. It has a function.
When the image projector is moved, the cursor displayed on the projection surface can be easily moved.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image projection apparatus according to the first aspect, the pointing mechanism and the camera shake correction mechanism are provided, and the means for changing the projection image information is indicated by a cursor displayed by the pointing mechanism. It has a function of selecting a product.
When the image projection apparatus is moved, the one designated by the cursor displayed on the projection surface can be easily selected.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image projection apparatus according to the first aspect, the means for changing the projection image information has a function of projecting an auxiliary image.
When the image projection apparatus is moved, an auxiliary image is projected so that operation information of the image projection apparatus such as a light amount adjustment screen and a file selection screen can be projected.
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image projection apparatus according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the image projection apparatus includes a host device control unit, and is capable of transmitting and receiving signals with the host device.
An image output from the host device is projected, and the host device can be controlled by moving the image projection device.

  According to the present invention, since it is not necessary to newly provide a switch, a button, or the like, it is possible to provide a small image projecting apparatus having excellent operability and design.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a projector as an image projection apparatus according to the present embodiment. The projector 13 is a portable projector that can be held and projected by hand, and includes a light source 1, a rod integrator 2 as an illumination optical system, a liquid crystal light modulator 3 as a spatial light modulator, and a projection optical system. A projection lens (projection lens group) 4 is provided.
The image signal 14 sent to the liquid crystal type light modulation device 3 is generated by the projection image generation means 11. An original image signal (not shown) transmitted to the projection image generation unit 11 may be directly transmitted from an external memory such as a USB memory via the external memory adapter 15, or from a memory included in the projection image generation unit 11. May be transmitted.
Furthermore, the portable projector 13 of this embodiment includes means 16 for detecting motion and means 17 for changing projection image information in accordance with the image signal.

A basic configuration of the portable projector 13 will be described.
[light source]
The light source 1 is configured by integrating light emitting diodes (LEDs) in a plurality of planes, for example, two-dimensionally. Desirably, it is preferable to dispose the light emitting portion of the LED inside the rod integrator 2 so as not to leak light. Each LED is controlled by the LED driver 12 in terms of light emission timing and light quantity.
The emission colors of the LEDs are three-color primary light of red, green, and blue arranged in a predetermined pattern and all are turned on to produce white planar light.
In the above configuration, an LED is used as a light source. However, a point light source that emits light with lower power may use another light emission principle, such as a semiconductor laser element. In that case, the light emitted from the semiconductor laser may be scanned with a movable mirror or the like to form a projected image.

[Rod integrator]
The rod integrator 2 has a tapered prismatic structure having a hollow structure composed of a plurality of (four surfaces) wall surfaces. The inner wall is composed of a reflective surface. The rod integrator 2 is configured, for example, by bonding four mirrors having the same wall size so that the mirror surfaces face each other. However, it may be configured by attaching four sheets of metal plates such as Al deposited on a resin plate or the like, or a reflective film attached with an adhesive. Whatever configuration is adopted, in order to suppress the loss of light, the inner wall of the rod integrator 2 is finished with a smooth mirror surface so that light can be totally reflected.
The light guided through the rod integrator 2 is reflected by the wall surface, thereby providing a uniform light amount distribution on the end surface of the rod integrator 2.
The configuration of the rod integrator 2 is not limited to the above configuration, and may be a solid transparent material having a light guiding function, and is not limited to a taper, and may be a prismatic shape or a cylindrical shape. Good.
The light that has been made uniform by the rod integrator 2 and made parallel by the tapered shape is illuminated onto the liquid crystal spatial light modulator 3. An image signal to be projected sent to the liquid crystal type light modulation device 3 is generated by the projection image generation means 11. Based on the image signal, light is modulated by the liquid crystal type light modulation device 3 and projected by the projection lens 4.

[Means for detecting motion]
Furthermore, the portable projector 13 according to the present embodiment includes a means 16 for detecting motion. Examples of the means 16 for detecting motion include acceleration detection, angular velocity detection, angle detection, displacement detection, an image sensor, a magnetic sensor, and an electric field sensor.
As acceleration detection sensors, piezoelectric acceleration sensors, capacitive acceleration sensors, strain gauge acceleration sensors, servo acceleration sensors, gravimeters, horizontal surveying and angular velocity detection sensors include rate gyros, gas rates Examples of the gyro, the acoustic gyro, the optical fiber gyro, the laser gyro, the vibration gyro, and the angle sensor include a free gyro, a tilt sensor, a magnetic compass, and a liquid sensor.
The movement of the projector 13 is detected using the means typified above.
Actually, the portable projector 13 held in the hand is moved and tilted back and forth, left and right, up and down, shaken, rotated around the optical axis 4 ′ of the projection lens 4, etc. Detect.
As described above, the projection lens 4 projects the changed image by the means 17 for changing the projection image information in accordance with the electrical signal from the means 16 for detecting the motion.

Each embodiment is described below about the change of projection image information.
[Embodiment 1: ON / OFF with LED driver]
Details of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The means 16 for detecting motion of the present embodiment detects, for example, acceleration when moved up and down. As shown in FIG. 2, when an acceleration of a certain level or more is detected by shaking the projector 13 in the vertical direction, the LED driver 12 is turned off when the LED is turned on according to the detected electrical signal. When the LED is in an OFF state, the LED is turned ON and the LED is switched ON / OFF.
Furthermore, the light amount of the light source of blue may be adjusted when swinging left and right, green when swinging up and down, and the light source of red when swinging back and forth.

[Embodiment 2: Power ON / OFF]
Details of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The means 16 for detecting motion of the present embodiment detects, for example, acceleration when moved up and down. As shown in FIG. 3, when an acceleration of a certain level or more is detected by shaking the projector 13 in the vertical direction or the like, if the power of the projector 13 is on according to the detected electrical signal, the power is turned off. If it is in the OFF state, it is turned ON and the power supply is switched ON / OFF.

[Embodiment 3: Light amount adjustment with liquid crystal]
Details of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The motion detecting means 16 of the present embodiment detects a rotation angle when the projection lens 4 is rotated around the optical axis 4 ′, for example. As shown in FIG. 4, when a rotation angle greater than a certain value (for example, 90 degrees or more) is detected, if the liquid crystal light modulation device 3 is not displaying black according to the detected electrical signal, means 17 for changing the projection image information. Then, the signal of the projected image is converted to black display and transmitted to the liquid crystal type light modulation device 3.
If the display is originally black, the original image signal is transmitted to the liquid crystal light modulation device 3. Therefore, when the projector 13 according to the present embodiment is used, the projection light of the projector 13 can be easily shielded, and the amount of light can be reduced immediately when a person passes through the projecting side.
In addition, the operation is not limited to ON / OFF, for example, the operation is performed to darken the light amount when swinging to the left and brighten when swinging to the right, and adjust the light amount according to the electric signal from the motion detection means 16. . Further, the amount of light may be adjusted in blue when shaken left and right, green when shaken up and down, and red when shaken back and forth, and used for adjustment of chromaticity balance.

[Embodiment 4: Page feed]
Details of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. For example, when detecting the rotation angle of 90 deg, the movement detecting unit 16 changes the projection image information into a different image by the changing unit 17.
Changing to a different image means, for example, sending a page of a still image or projecting a different moving image. At that time, the means 17 for changing the projection image information rotates different images according to the electrical signal of the rotation angle so that the image does not rotate on the projection plane. The image generated by the rotation adjustment is transmitted as an image signal to the liquid crystal light modulation device 3. As a method of correcting the image so as not to rotate on the projection plane, the liquid crystal type light modulation device 3 may rotate the image.
Note that the method of changing to a different image is not limited to the above, and while rotating, the image is sent in order, and when returning to the original position, the image feed stops, while the image is rotated in reverse. Alternatively, the image may be sent in reverse, and when the image is returned to the original position, the image feed may be stopped.
Moreover, you may send a page based on the value of an up-down, left-right, front-back displacement, and acceleration.

[Embodiment 5: Camera shake correction mechanism]
Details of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The projector 13 preferably includes a camera shake correction mechanism. As a camera shake correction mechanism, a method of driving a part of the projection lens 4 is employed.
The amount of camera shake is grasped by a sensor (not shown). The sensor detects rotation about two axes perpendicular to each other perpendicular to the optical axis 4 ′. The function of this sensor can also be achieved by the means 16 for detecting movement.
Based on the output information of the sensor, the signal processing unit (the means 17 for changing the projection image information) calculates a correction target value, and drives the lens by the lens driving device 27 as a camera shake correction mechanism. As another mechanism, the entire lens barrel of the projection lens may be tilt-driven.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a variable apex angle prism 18 may be arranged on the front surface of the projection lens 4 as a camera shake correction mechanism. The variable apex angle prism 18 is formed by connecting two transparent glasses with a bellows and filling a liquid with a high refractive index therebetween. By rotating each glass surface, the optical axis 4 ′ of the projection lens 4 can be decentered.
In addition, there are a method for driving the liquid crystal light modulation device 3, a method for converting an image signal by means 17 for changing projection image information, a method for mounting a rotating prism on the projection lens 4, and the like.
By mounting the camera shake correction mechanism in this way, not only the projection image of the portable projector 13 becomes high definition, but also the projection image information is changed according to the electrical signal from the movement detecting means 17 as in the present invention. Even in such a case, the image on the projection plane is projected without shaking, and a good projection image can be obtained.
In the projector 13 of the present embodiment, the camera shake correction mechanism is turned on / off according to the electrical signal from the motion detection means 16.

[Sixth embodiment: pointing function]
Details of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The projector 13 of the present embodiment includes a pointing mechanism (not shown) and a camera shake correction mechanism similar to the above.
The original image to be projected is offset by the camera shake correction mechanism and projected to a fixed position on the projection plane. The cursor 20 follows the movement of the projector 13 and is superimposed on the projection plane for display. To do.
That is, the projector 13 is held and moved, and the projected image is updated in accordance with the movement, and the projected image is displayed as if it is still with respect to the background image. Furthermore, a cursor 20 that moves in accordance with the movement of the projector 13 held in the hand is displayed superimposed on the projection image.

As the cursor 20, a cursor emitted from a light source mounted on the projector 13 may be used, or the cursor 20 may be displayed on the liquid crystal type light modulation device 3 and projected.
In the present embodiment, as the camera shake correction mechanism, only the effective display area is projected according to the amount of camera shake among all the projectable areas of the liquid crystal type spatial light modulator 3. FIG. 8A shows a case where the cursor 20 is at the center of the projection image. FIG. 8B shows a case where the cursor 20 is moved below the projection image. The projected image is displayed as if it were stationary. Such a pointing function ON / OFF is detected by detecting the movement of the projector 13 and switched according to the electrical signal.

[Embodiment 7: File Selection and Determination]
Details of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. When there are a plurality of image and moving image files to be projected by the projector, the files are selected and determined by an electrical signal from the means 16 for detecting motion.
The auxiliary screen is projected as shown in FIG. 9 when the projector 13 is turned on, when data is read from the external memory, or when the movement is detected by moving the projector 13 up and down.
In the present embodiment, a file selection screen is projected on the auxiliary screen 26. Then, the file to be projected is selected by moving the cursor 20.
For example, when the cursor 20 is moved in accordance with the movement of the projector 13 held in the hand, it is changed slowly in the left and right and up and down directions, and when selecting a file to be projected, an operation of shaking up and down is performed.
The projector 13 according to the present embodiment can realize the functions of the mouse and the cross key of the personal computer by the movement of the projector itself, and can provide a small projector excellent in design and operability without attaching a new key or button. .
The projection image of the auxiliary screen 26 is not limited to the above, and information necessary for operating the projector, such as the chromaticity adjustment screen and the light amount adjustment screen as described in other embodiments, is projected and operated with the cursor 20. May be.

[Embodiment 8: Focal length and magnification conversion of projection lens]
Details of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The means 16 for detecting motion of the present embodiment detects, for example, acceleration when moved forward and backward. When an acceleration of a certain level or more is detected, the projection lens 4 is moved in the optical axis direction by the lens driving device 27 according to the electric signal, and the projection lens 4 is focused.
When the zoom function is mounted on the projection lens 4, the acceleration when the projector 13 is moved back and forth may be detected, and the magnification may be converted according to the electrical signal.
If the projector is equipped with a speaker, the volume may be controlled according to the movement.

[Embodiment 9]
A schematic configuration diagram of this embodiment is shown in FIG. 11, and a flowchart is shown in FIG.
The projector 13 according to the present embodiment includes a host device control unit 28, and transmits and receives input signals and output signals to and from the host device 29.
A communication mechanism for this purpose is also included. Communication may be wireless or wired. The host device is, for example, a PC (personal computer).
As specific processing of the host device control unit 28, as shown in FIG. 12A, for example, control information for sending a page when the projector 13 is swung up and down and a page of an image is sent is a USB. It is converted into an output signal for output from an interface or the like and transmitted to the PC. The transmitted signal is acquired by the PC. In the PC, for example, a keyboard signal that is pressed to perform image control in an application (for example, a key for switching to the next image is pressed). Control to the PC is realized by being processed by a processing mechanism that is converted as a signal or the like at the time of being performed.

Further, when acquiring information related to control from a PC, for example, an output signal output from the PC via a USB interface or the like is acquired, and information obtained by converting the acquired output signal is stored in a predetermined storage area. Store.
Furthermore, the stored information is read, and if the read information is image information, the image output mechanism outputs it, and if it is audio information, the audio output mechanism outputs it.
Further, the PC control unit may include a program for executing such processing.
As shown in FIG. 12B, information from the PC may be projected on the auxiliary screen, information controlled with a cursor or the like may be selected, and transmitted to the PC.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a projector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows control operation. It is a flowchart which shows the control action which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control action which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control action which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the projector which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the projector which concerns on the modification of 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the projection operation | movement of the projector which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the projection operation | movement of the projector which concerns on 7th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the control action which concerns on 7th Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the projector which concerns on 9th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows transmission / reception of the signal of the projector which concerns on 9th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Light source 2 Rod integrator as an illumination optical system 3 Liquid crystal type spatial light modulator as a spatial light modulator 4 Projection lens as a projection optical system 11 Projected image generating means 16 Means for detecting motion 17 Means for changing projected image information 20 Cursor 27 Lens Drive Device as Camera Shake Correction Mechanism 28 Host Device Control Unit 29 Host Device

Claims (14)

A light source, a spatial light modulator, an illumination optical system that causes light from the light source to enter the spatial light modulator, a projection optical system that projects an image formed by being modulated by the spatial light modulator, and the space In an image projection device having a projection image generation means for generating an image formed by a light modulation device,
Means for detecting movement of the image projection device, and means for changing projection image information of a projection image projected by the projection optical system in accordance with an electrical signal from the means for detecting movement. An image projection apparatus. The image projector according to claim 1.
The image projecting apparatus, wherein the means for changing the projection image information has a function of changing a light amount of the projection image. The image projection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
An image projection apparatus characterized in that the light quantity of the projection image is changed by changing the light quantity of the light source. The image projection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
An image projection apparatus characterized in that a change in the amount of light of the projected image is made by modulating the spatial light modulator. The image projector according to claim 1.
An image projection apparatus, wherein the means for changing the projection image information has a function of changing ON / OFF of a power source. The image projector according to claim 1.
An image projecting apparatus, wherein the means for changing the projection image information has a function of changing an image signal of an original image. The image projector according to claim 1.
The projection optical system includes a magnification conversion unit that converts a magnification, and the unit that changes the projection image information has a function of changing the magnification. The image projector according to claim 1.
The projection optical system includes a focal position adjusting unit that adjusts a focal position, and the unit that changes the projection image information has a function of changing the focal position. The image projector according to claim 1.
An image projection apparatus comprising: a camera shake correction mechanism, wherein the means for changing the projection image information has a function of changing ON / OFF of the camera shake correction mechanism. The image projector according to claim 1.
An image projection apparatus comprising a pointing mechanism and a camera shake correction mechanism, wherein the means for changing the projection image information has a function of changing ON / OFF of the pointing mechanism. The image projector according to claim 1.
An image projection apparatus comprising a pointing mechanism and a camera shake correction mechanism, wherein the means for changing the projection image information has a function of moving a cursor displayed by the pointing mechanism. The image projector according to claim 1.
An image projection comprising a pointing mechanism and a camera shake correction mechanism, wherein the means for changing the projection image information has a function of selecting an item designated by a cursor displayed by the pointing mechanism. apparatus. The image projector according to claim 1.
An image projection apparatus, wherein the means for changing the projection image information has a function of projecting an auxiliary image. In the image projection device according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
An image projection apparatus having a host apparatus control unit and capable of transmitting and receiving signals to and from the host apparatus.

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