JP2009053321A - Projector and projection method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a projector or the like capable of presenting an operation state of a lamp so that a user can understand it more easily. <P>SOLUTION: The projector 100 includes: a data generation part 130 generating cumulative lighting time data 123 concerning the operation state of the lamp 140 in accordance with the operation state thereof; an image generation part 112 generating a state image showing the operation state based on the cumulative lighting time data 123; and a projection part 190 projecting the state image by using the light of the lamp 140 when starting lighting the lamp 140. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

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

  Conventionally, in order to check the cumulative lighting time of a projector lamp, the user has to select an environment setting menu of the projector and display an image showing the cumulative lighting time. As described above, since it takes time to confirm the cumulative lighting time, the user often does not check the cumulative lighting time.

  In addition, a projector that employs a technique for lighting a projector LED or the like and giving a warning when the lamp life (maximum usable time) of the projector is approaching is on the market. However, with this method, the user can only grasp that the lamp is about to expire, and cannot confirm the cumulative lighting time.

As another method, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-187086 employs a method in which a display unit different from the display element displays the lighting time for each display element.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-187086

  However, providing a display unit different from the normal display unit only for displaying the lighting time is problematic in terms of cost and it is difficult for the user to check the lighting time. In particular, in the case of a projector, it may be used in a ceiling-suspended form. In the case of a ceiling-suspended form, it is difficult for the user to check the lighting time display section and the LEDs provided on the projector body.

  Further, in the case of a projector, unlike a general display device, a display mode corresponding to content such as a movie or a television broadcast is provided. For example, even in the same cumulative lighting time, the time for the lamp to expire is shorter in the high luminance mode than in the low luminance mode. Thus, the projector needs to appropriately display the operating state of the lamp according to the display mode.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a projector and a projection method capable of presenting the operating state of a lamp more easily.

  In order to solve the above problems, a projector according to the present invention generates a status image indicating the operating state based on the operating data based on the operating data and a data generation unit that generates operating data related to the operating state according to the operating state of the lamp. And an image generating unit that projects the state image using the light of the lamp when the lamp starts to be lit.

  The projection method according to the present invention is a projection method using a projection display device, wherein the projection display device generates operation data related to the operation state according to an operation state of a lamp, and based on the operation data. A state image indicating the operating state is generated, and the state image is projected using light of the lamp at the start of lighting of the lamp.

  According to the present invention, a projector or the like can present the operating state of the lamp more easily by projecting a state image indicating the operating state of the lamp at the start of lighting of the lamp.

  The operation data includes cumulative lighting time data indicating a cumulative lighting time of the lamp, and the image generation unit uses the cumulative lighting time as a numerical value and a figure as the state image based on the cumulative lighting time data. An image shown at least on one side may be generated.

  According to this, the projector or the like can present the accumulated lighting time of the lamp more easily.

  The operation data includes voltage data indicating the voltage of the lamp, and the image generation unit generates an image indicating at least one of a numerical value and a graphic as the state image based on the voltage data. May be.

  According to this, the projector or the like can present the voltage of the lamp more easily. Thereby, the user can grasp the deterioration of the lamp.

  The projector may include a storage unit that stores the operation data, and the data generation unit may generate the voltage data in the storage unit in a state where the luminance of the lamp is stable.

  According to this, the projector or the like can present the deterioration of the lamp more accurately by storing the voltage data in a state where the lamp brightness is stable.

  Further, the image generation unit generates an image indicating at least one of a numerical value and a figure indicating the remaining operating time as the state image based on the lamp life data indicating the lamp life and the operation data. Also good.

  According to this, the projector or the like can present the remaining operating time more clearly.

  Further, the image generation unit may generate a warning image as a part or all of the state image when the remaining time is less than a predetermined time.

  According to this, the projector or the like can present to the user in an easy-to-understand manner that the remaining operating time has decreased.

  Further, the image generation unit adjusts the remaining time according to the display mode based on mode data indicating a display mode in use, lamp life data indicating the life of the lamp, and the operation data. Also good.

  According to this, the projector or the like can present the remaining operating time more accurately to the user by adjusting the remaining time according to the display mode.

  Embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a projector will be described below 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 the configurations shown in the following embodiments are not necessarily essential as means for solving the invention described in the claims.

(First embodiment)
First, as a first embodiment, an embodiment will be described in which the projector projects a state image indicating the operating state of the lamp according to the cumulative lighting time of the lamp at the start of lamp lighting.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a projector 100 in the first embodiment. The projector 100, which is a type of projection display device, includes a lamp 140, which is a type of light source, a lamp driving unit 150 that drives the lamp 140, and data that generates operating data related to the operating state according to the operating state of the lamp 140. The generation unit 130, the storage unit 120 that stores operation data and the like, the image generation unit 110 that generates a state image and the like indicating the operation state based on the operation data and the like, and the state image and the like are projected using the light of the lamp 140 The projection unit 190 is configured to be included.

  In addition, the storage unit 120 stores cumulative lighting time data 123 indicating the cumulative lighting time of the lamp, which is a kind of operation data, lamp life data 125 indicating the lamp life, and the like.

  Note that the following may be adopted as hardware for mounting these components. For example, the image generation unit 110 is an image processing circuit, the storage unit 120 is a non-volatile memory, the data generation unit 130 is a CPU, the lamp 140 is an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp, the lamp driving unit 150 is a ballast, As the projection unit 190 such as a CPU, a liquid crystal panel, a liquid crystal driving circuit, a projection lens, or the like may be employed.

  Next, a procedure for projecting a state image will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure for projecting a state image in the first embodiment.

  The lamp driving unit 150 starts driving the lamp 140 in response to a user operation or the like, and the lamp 140 starts lighting (step S1). Note that the lamp 140 is a lamp that takes a long time to complete lighting (a state in which a desired luminance is achieved) such as an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp.

  Simultaneously with the start of lighting of the lamp 140, the image generation unit 110 generates a state image with reference to the accumulated lighting time data 123 and the lamp life data 125, and the projection unit 190 uses the light from the lamp 140 as a light source. Is projected (step S2).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the state image 300 in the first embodiment. For example, when the lamp life data 125 indicates that the lamp life is 4000 hours, and the cumulative lighting time data 123 indicates that the cumulative lighting time is 2400 hours, the image generation unit 110 displays these numerical values. And a state image 300 including an image in which the ratio of the cumulative lighting time to the lamp life is graphically generated. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, these images are in a large proportion (for example, large characters, large figures, etc.) in the entire image so that they can be easily seen even when the luminance of the lamp 140 is not sufficient. Is displayed.

  When the brightness of the lamp 140 reaches a desired brightness (or when a time predicted to reach the desired brightness has elapsed), the image generation unit 110 replaces the state image 300 with a normal image (for example, an input image signal). And the projection unit 190 projects a normal image (step S3).

  For example, the data generation unit 130 updates the cumulative lighting time data 123 at regular time intervals (step S4).

  The projector 100 determines whether or not there is an end instruction from the user (step S5). If there is an end instruction, the process ends (steps S3 to S5), and if there is no end instruction, the process is continued.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the projector 100 projects the state image 300 indicating the operating state of the lamp 140 at the start of lighting of the lamp 140, thereby presenting the accumulated lighting time of the lamp 140 more easily. can do. In particular, as shown in FIG. 3, the projector 100 projects large characters and large figures so that the user can easily recognize the accumulated lighting time even when the state image 300 immediately after the start of lighting is dark.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the projector 100 projects the state image 300 every time it is activated, so that the user can grasp the operating state of the lamp 140 at a higher frequency. Therefore, the projector 100 can be easily used continuously.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the projector 100 displays the accumulated lighting time of the lamp 140 on the state image 300 to be projected instead of the display unit provided in the main body of the projector 100, so that the user can Even in the case of being away from each other, the accumulated lighting time of the lamp 140 can be easily grasped.

(Second embodiment)
Next, as a second embodiment, a description will be given of an embodiment in which the projector projects a state image in accordance with the lamp voltage when the lamp starts to be lit.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the projector 101 in the second embodiment. The projector 101 includes a storage unit 121 that stores voltage data 124 instead of the cumulative lighting time data 123, a data generation unit 131 that generates voltage data 124 instead of the cumulative lighting time data 123, and a lamp instead of the cumulative lighting time. The image generation unit 111 is configured to generate a state image related to 140 voltages. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, a procedure for projecting a state image will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for projecting a state image in the second embodiment.

  The lamp driving unit 150 starts driving the lamp 140 in response to a user operation or the like, and the lamp 140 starts to light (step S11). Simultaneously with the start of lighting of the lamp 140, the image generation unit 111 generates a state image with reference to the voltage data 124 and the lamp life data 125, and the projection unit 190 projects the state image using light from the lamp 140 as a light source. (Step S12).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the state image 301 in the second embodiment. For example, when the lamp life data 125 indicates that the lamp life is 130 V and the voltage data 124 indicates that the voltage of the lamp 140 is 115 V, the image generation unit 111 displays an image indicating these numerical values. Then, a state image 301 including an image in which the ratio of the current voltage to the lamp life is graphically generated is generated. In this embodiment, the lamp 140 is assumed to have a steady-state voltage increase as the operation time becomes longer, and 130 V is the limit.

  When the brightness of the lamp 140 reaches a desired brightness (or when a time predicted to reach the desired brightness has elapsed), the image generation unit 111 generates a normal image instead of the state image 301, and the projection unit 190 Projects a normal image (step S13).

  The projector 100 determines whether or not there is an end instruction from the user (step S14). When there is an end instruction, the process ends (steps S13 and S14), and when there is no end instruction, the process is continued.

  When there is an end instruction, the data generation unit 131 acquires information indicating the voltage of the lamp 140 at the time point from the lamp driving unit 150 and updates the voltage data 124 indicating the voltage of the lamp 140 based on the information. (Step S15).

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the projector 101 can present the voltage of the lamp 140 more easily. Thereby, the user can grasp the deterioration of the lamp 140. In particular, even if the cumulative lighting time is the same cumulative lighting time, the actual life of the lamp 140 may be different depending on the display mode used. However, in the case of the voltage of the lamp 140, the actual deterioration state of the lamp 140 is appropriately set. Can be expressed as

  Further, the projector 101 stores the voltage data 124 in the storage unit 121 in a state in which the brightness of the lamp 140 is stable when an end instruction is given (that is, the process in step S15 may be executed before or after the process in step S13). The deterioration of the lamp 140 can be presented more accurately by storing in the.

(Third embodiment)
Next, as a third embodiment, a description will be given of an embodiment in which a projector projects a state image by adjusting a cumulative lighting time of a lamp according to a display mode at the start of lamp lighting.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the projector 102 in the third embodiment. The projector 102 includes a storage unit 122 that stores cumulative lighting time data 123, lamp life data 125, a display mode in use, mode data 126 indicating a coefficient corresponding to the display mode, and a state image corresponding to the display mode. The image generation unit 112 for generating the image data and the data generation unit 132 for updating the mode data 126 and the like are included. The projector 102 also includes a projection unit 190, a lamp 140, a lamp driving unit 150, and the like. Since these configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, a procedure for projecting a state image will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure for projecting a state image in the third embodiment.

  The lamp driving unit 150 starts driving the lamp 140 in response to a user operation or the like, and the lamp 140 starts to light (step S21). Simultaneously with the start of lighting of the lamp 140, the image generation unit 112 generates a state image with reference to the accumulated lighting time data 123, the lamp life data 125, and the mode data 126, and the projection unit 190 outputs the light from the lamp 140. The state image is projected using as a light source (step S22).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the state image 302 in the third embodiment. For example, it is assumed that the display mode includes a normal mode, a high luminance mode indicating display with higher luminance than the normal mode, and a low luminance mode indicating display with lower luminance than the normal mode. The mode data 126 indicates that the coefficient in the normal mode is 1.0, the coefficient in the high luminance mode is 1.1, and the coefficient in the low luminance mode is 0.9, and the current display mode is The high brightness mode is indicated. In addition, it is assumed that the cumulative lighting time indicated by the cumulative lighting time data 123 is 2400 hours and the usable time indicated by the lamp life data 125 is 4000 hours.

  In this case, the image generation unit 112 calculates 4000-2400 × 1.1 to obtain the remaining usable time 1360, and an image indicating the remaining time such as “the remaining 1360 hours can be used” illustrated in FIG. Is generated. That is, the image generation unit 112 adjusts the cumulative lighting time or the remaining time according to the display mode.

  When the brightness of the lamp 140 reaches a desired brightness (or when a time predicted to reach the desired brightness has elapsed), the image generation unit 112 generates a normal image instead of the state image 302, and the projection unit 190 Projects a normal image (step S23).

  For example, the data generation unit 132 updates the cumulative lighting time data 123 at regular time intervals (step S24). The projector 100 determines whether or not there is an end instruction from the user (step S25).

  Further, the data generation unit 132 determines whether or not there is a display mode change instruction from the user (step S26), and updates the mode data 126 when there is a display mode change instruction (step S27). For example, when the user selects the low luminance mode, the data generation unit 132 updates the mode data 126 to indicate that the display mode being used is the low luminance mode.

  The projector 100 ends the process (steps S23 to S27) when there is an end instruction, and continues the process when there is no end instruction.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the projector 102 can present the remaining operating time more easily by projecting the state image 302.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the projector 102 can more accurately present the remaining operating time to the user by adjusting the remaining time according to the display mode.

(Other examples)
In addition, application of this invention is not limited to the Example mentioned above, A various deformation | transformation is possible. For example, the projector 102 may project a warning image when the usable time of the lamp 140 is less than a predetermined time (for example, 100 hours).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state image 303 including a warning image. For example, the image generation unit 112 determines whether the usable time of the lamp 140 is less than 100 hours, and generates a warning image as a part or all of the state image 303 when it is less than 100 hours. Also good. For example, the image generation unit 112 may generate a warning image displayed in red or the like as the background of the state image 303.

  According to this, the projector 102 can present to the user in an easy-to-understand manner that the remaining operating time has decreased.

  Further, when updating the accumulated lighting time data 123, the data generating unit 132 updates the accumulated lighting time data 123 according to the display mode being used, and the image generating unit 112 accumulates without using the mode data 126. The state image 302 may be generated using the lighting time data 123 and the lamp life data 125. For example, in the case of the high luminance mode, the data generation unit 132 may calculate the coefficient 1.1 of 1 hour × high luminance mode every 1 hour and add 1.1 to the cumulative lighting time.

  According to this, the projector 102 can update the cumulative lighting time more accurately and can more accurately present the state of the lamp 140.

  Further, the state images 300 to 302 are images including both numerical values and graphics, but may be images having only numerical values or images having only graphics. Further, the shape of the graphic of the state images 300 to 302 is a bar graph, but may be a shape such as a pie graph or a line graph.

  In addition, projectors 100 to 102 allow the user to select whether or not to project state images 300 to 303, store data indicating the presence / absence of projection of state images 300 to 303 in storage units 120 to 122, and state images 300 to 303. If it is set not to project, the state images 300 to 303 do not have to be projected at startup. In addition, the projectors 100 to 102 do not project every time when starting up, but instead project the state images 300 to 303 at a rate of once per a plurality of times or when a predetermined lighting time elapses. Alternatively, the state images 300 to 303 may be projected, or the state images 300 to 303 may be projected at regular intervals.

  The projector 100 is not limited to a liquid crystal projector, and may be a projector using a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device), for example. DMD is a trademark of Texas Instruments Incorporated. Further, the function of the projector 100 may be distributed and implemented in a plurality of devices (for example, a PC and a projector).

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a projection display device other than the projector 100 (for example, a projection television).

It is a functional block diagram of the projector in a 1st Example. It is a flowchart which shows the projection procedure of the state image in a 1st Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the state image in a 1st Example. It is a functional block diagram of the projector in a 2nd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the projection procedure of the state image in a 2nd Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the state image 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 of the state image in a 3rd Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the state image in a 3rd Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the state image containing a warning image.

Explanation of symbols

  100 to 102 projector (projection display device), 110 to 112 image generation unit, 120 to 122 storage unit, 123 cumulative lighting time data, 124 voltage data, 125 lamp life data, 126 mode data, 130 to 132 data generation unit, 140 lamp, 150 lamp driving unit, 190 projection unit, 300-302 state image

Claims (8)

A data generation unit that generates operation data related to the operation state according to the operation state of the lamp;
An image generation unit that generates a state image indicating the operation state based on the operation data;
A projection unit that projects the state image using light of the lamp at the start of lighting of the lamp;
Including a projector. The projector according to claim 1, wherein
The operation data includes cumulative lighting time data indicating a cumulative lighting time of the lamp,
The projector is characterized in that, based on the accumulated lighting time data, the image generating unit generates an image showing the accumulated lighting time as at least one of a numerical value and a figure as the state image. The projector according to claim 1, wherein
The operation data includes voltage data indicating the voltage of the lamp,
The image generation unit generates an image indicating at least one of a numerical value and a figure of the voltage as the state image based on the voltage data. The projector according to claim 3, wherein
A storage unit for storing the operation data;
The projector, wherein the data generation unit generates the voltage data in the storage unit in a state where the luminance of the lamp is stable. The projector according to claim 1, wherein
The image generation unit generates, as the state image, an image indicating at least one of a numerical value and a figure indicating the remaining operating time based on the lamp life data indicating the lamp life and the operation data. Projector. The projector according to claim 5, wherein
The image generation unit generates a warning image as a part or all of the state image when the remaining time is less than a predetermined time. The projector according to any one of claims 5 and 6,
The image generation unit adjusts the remaining time according to the display mode based on mode data indicating a display mode in use, lamp life data indicating the life of the lamp, and the operation data. Projector. A projection method using a projection display device,
The projection display device
Generate operating data related to the operating state according to the operating state of the lamp,
Based on the operation data, generate a state image indicating the operation state,
A projection method, wherein the state image is projected using light of the lamp at the start of lighting of the lamp.

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