JP2009098482A - Projector and image projection system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a projector that can be restricted in use without performing complicated authentication operation, and an image projection system. <P>SOLUTION: When power is supplied to the projector 2 from a commercial power source, a control section 20 reads a registered ID from a storage part 21 and outputs an authentication request with the registered ID to a server from a network communication part 27. When authentication is established, the control section 20 instructs a power circuit 25 to start supply of operating power to shift the projector 2 into a power-on state, and further instructs a light source control section 26 to light a light source 11. As a result, an image (an input image) corresponding to image information input from an image input part 23 or the network communication part 27 is projected from an image projecting part 10. When authentication is not established, the projector 2 cannot be shifted into the power-on state, and the use of the projector 2, i.e., image projection, is restricted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a projector and an image projection system that project an image.

  In order to prevent unauthorized use by a third party in a projector that projects an image, a projector (projection device) that can be used only when a predetermined authentication operation is performed has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). reference). In order to use such a projector, it is necessary to perform a predetermined sequence of operations (for example, a password input operation) on an operation unit provided in the apparatus main body or a remote control for remotely operating the apparatus main body. There is.

JP 2005-338604 A

  However, while the projector as described above can prevent unauthorized use by a third party, the authentication operation has to be performed every time the projector is activated, which causes the user to feel troublesome. ing. For this reason, there are many cases where the projector is used in a state where this function is disabled while having a function capable of preventing unauthorized use by performing an authentication operation. On the other hand, it becomes unprotected.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  Application Example 1 A projector according to this application example is a projector that projects an image, and includes a network communication unit that performs communication via a network, a storage unit that stores authentication information used for authentication of the projector, An authentication information output unit that outputs the authentication information from the network communication unit to the authentication server connected to the network and requests authentication based on the authentication information, and based on an authentication result by the authentication server And a projection control unit that limits image projection.

  According to this projector, the authentication information output unit outputs the authentication information stored in the storage unit to the authentication server via the network, and the projection control unit projects the projector image based on the authentication result by the authentication server. Therefore, the use of the projector can be restricted without performing a complicated authentication operation.

  Application Example 2 In the projector according to the application example, the authentication information output unit outputs the authentication information prior to the projection of the image, and the projection control unit establishes authentication of the projector by the authentication server. In this case, it is desirable to start projecting the image.

  According to this projector, the authentication information output unit outputs the authentication information to the authentication server prior to image projection, and when the authentication by the authentication server is established, the projection control unit starts projecting the image. In an environment where the server cannot be accessed, image projection cannot be started. In other words, since the environment in which the projector can be used is limited, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use or theft of the projector.

  Application Example 3 In the projector according to the application example, the authentication information output unit outputs the authentication information while the projector is projecting the image, and the projection control unit receives the authentication information from the authentication server. If the projector authentication is not established, the projection of the image may be stopped.

  According to the projector, the authentication information output unit outputs the authentication information to the authentication server while projecting the image, and the projection control unit stops projecting the image when the authentication by the authentication server is not established. In an environment where the authentication server cannot be accessed, image projection cannot be continued. That is, since the environment in which the projector can be continuously used is limited, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use or theft of the projector.

  Application Example 4 An image projection system according to this application example is an image projection system including a projector that projects an image, and an authentication server that is network-connected to the projector and authenticates the projector. The projector outputs the authentication information from the network communication unit to a network communication unit that performs communication via the network, a storage unit that stores authentication information used for authentication of the projector, and the authentication server. An authentication information output unit that requests authentication based on the authentication information; and a projection control unit that restricts projection of the image based on an authentication result by the authentication server.

  According to this image projection system, the authentication information output unit outputs the authentication information stored in the storage unit to the authentication server via the network, and the projection control unit outputs the image of the projector based on the authentication result by the authentication server. Therefore, it is possible to restrict the use of the projector without performing a complicated authentication operation.

  Hereinafter, a projector according to the present embodiment and an image projection system including the projector will be described. The projector according to the present embodiment projects an image (input image) based on input image information and displays the input image on a screen, a wall surface, or the like.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image projection system of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image projection system 1 has at least one projector 3 (three in the figure) and a server 3, which are connected to a network 4 such as a LAN (Local Area Network). Connected through. Image information of an image to be projected is input to the projector 2 from an image output device 5 such as a personal computer. The image output device 5 is connected to the projector 2 via the video cable 6 and outputs image information to the projector 2. When the image output device 5 is connected to the network 4, the image output device 5 can output image information to a specific projector 2 connected to the network 4 via the network 4. . Further, the server 3 functions as an authentication server that authenticates the projector 2 connected to the network 4, and the projector 2 can project an image only when the authentication by the server 3 is established. Become.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the projector 2.
As shown in FIG. 2, the projector 2 includes an image projection unit 10, a control unit 20, a storage unit 21, an input operation unit 22, an image input unit 23, an image processing unit 24, a power supply circuit 25, a light source control unit 26, and network communication. A unit 27, a serial communication unit 28, an LED display unit 29, and the like.

  The image projection unit 10 includes a light source 11, three liquid crystal light valves 12R, 12G, and 12B as light modulation devices, a projection lens 13 as a projection optical system, a light valve drive unit 14, and the like. The image projection unit 10 corresponds to a display unit, and modulates the light emitted from the light source 11 with the liquid crystal light valves 12R, 12G, and 12B to form an image (image light), and this image is a projection lens. 13 is projected and displayed on the screen SC or the like.

  The light source 11 includes a discharge-type light source lamp 11a made of an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, or the like, and a reflector 11b that reflects light emitted from the light source lamp 11a toward the liquid crystal light valves 12R, 12G, and 12B. ing. Light emitted from the light source 11 is converted into light having a substantially uniform luminance distribution by an integrator optical system (not shown), and red (R), green (G), and blue, which are the three primary colors of light, by a color separation optical system (not shown). After being separated into each color light component of (B), it enters the liquid crystal light valves 12R, 12G, and 12B, respectively.

  The liquid crystal light valves 12R, 12G, and 12B are configured by a liquid crystal panel in which liquid crystal is sealed between a pair of transparent substrates. The liquid crystal light valves 12R, 12G, and 12B are formed with a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, and a driving voltage can be applied to the liquid crystal for each pixel. When the light valve driving unit 14 applies a driving voltage corresponding to the input image information to each pixel, each pixel is set to a light transmittance corresponding to the image information. Therefore, the light emitted from the light source 11 is modulated by passing through the liquid crystal light valves 12R, 12G, and 12B, and image light corresponding to image information is formed for each color light. The formed image light of each color is synthesized for each pixel by a color synthesis optical system (not shown) to become image light representing a color image, and then enlarged and projected onto the screen SC or the like by the projection lens 13.

  The control unit 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory) used for temporary storage of various data, and the like, and operates according to a control program stored in the storage unit 21 to operate the projector 2. Centrally control the operation. That is, the control unit 20 functions as a computer together with the storage unit 21.

  The storage unit 21 includes a non-volatile memory such as a mask ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, or an FeRAM (Ferroelectric RAM). The storage unit 21 stores a control program for controlling the operation of the projector 2, various setting data for defining operation conditions of the projector 2, and the like. In the storage unit 21 of this embodiment, network setting information (such as its own IP address and the IP address of the server 3) for connecting to the network 4, a registration ID necessary for receiving authentication by the server 3, and these setting data A password or the like necessary for changing the password is stored. The registration ID is an identifier for identifying the projector 2 and can be substituted by a MAC (Media Access Control) address or the like.

  The input operation unit 22 includes a plurality of operation keys for a user to give various instructions to the projector 2 and receives an input operation for each operation key. The operation keys provided in the input operation unit 22 include a “power key” for switching on / off of the power, a “menu key” for displaying a setting menu for performing various settings, and a “source” for switching a supply source of image information. Switch key ". When the user operates various operation keys of the input operation unit 22, the input operation unit 22 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation content of the user to the control unit 20. The input operation unit 22 may be configured using a remote control (not shown) capable of remote operation. In this case, the remote control transmits an infrared operation signal corresponding to the user's operation content, and a remote control signal receiving unit (not shown) receives this and transmits it to the control unit 20.

  The image input unit 23 includes a connection terminal (not shown) for connection to the external image output device 5 via the video cable 6, and various types of image information are input from the image output device 5. Is done. The image input unit 23 outputs the input image information to the image processing unit 24.

  The image processing unit 24 applies various types of image information input from the image input unit 23 or the network communication unit 27 to the image information representing the gradation of each pixel of the liquid crystal light valves 12R, 12G, and 12B, that is, to each pixel. It converts into the image information for prescribing | regulating the drive voltage to perform. Further, processing for adjusting image quality such as brightness, contrast, sharpness, hue, and the like, and setting menus etc. are superimposed on the input image based on an instruction from the control unit 20. Perform processing. Image information that has undergone image quality adjustment or the like in the image processing unit 24 is output to the light valve driving unit 14.

  When the light valve driving unit 14 drives the liquid crystal light valves 12R, 12G, and 12B according to the input image information, the liquid crystal light valves 12R, 12G, and 12B form an image (image light) according to the image information. An image is projected from the projection lens 13 onto the screen SC.

  The power supply circuit 25 is supplied with commercial power such as AC 100V from the outside. The power supply circuit 25 converts a commercial power supply (AC power supply) into a DC power supply having a predetermined voltage and supplies power to each unit of the projector 2. The control unit 20 instructs the power supply circuit 25 to operate while receiving power from the power supply circuit 25 to supply and stop operating power (power required for image projection) to each unit. Can be switched.

  The light source control unit 26 controls supply and stop of power to the light source 11 based on an instruction from the control unit 20 and switches between turning on and off the light source 11.

  The network communication unit 27 is a communication interface connectable to the network 4, and the control unit 20 communicates with an external device (server 3, image output device 5, etc.) connected to the network 4 via the network communication unit 27. Data communication can be performed between the two. When image information of an image to be projected is input via the network 4, the network communication unit 27 outputs this image information to the image processing unit 24.

  The serial communication unit 28 is a USB interface including a USB (Universal Serial Bus) / Type B terminal. A host device such as a personal computer can be connected to the serial communication unit 28 via a USB cable (not shown), and the control unit 20 is based on the USB standard with the host device via the serial communication unit 28. Data communication can be performed. When changing various setting data stored in the storage unit 21, the user can change the setting data from the host device by connecting the host device to the serial communication unit 28.

  The LED display unit 29 is an indicator composed of a plurality of LEDs (light emitting diodes), and switches the lighting state based on an instruction from the control unit 20, thereby allowing the user to operate the projector 2 in an operating state (for example, power on / off). , Error occurrence) and the like. The LED display unit 29 can represent a large number of operating states by appropriately switching the lighting state of the LED, that is, the lighting, blinking, extinguishing, emission color, and the like of the LED.

Next, the configuration of the server 3 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the server 3.
As shown in FIG. 3, the server 3 is configured by a computer and includes a control unit 30, a storage unit 31, and a network communication unit 32.

  The control unit 30 includes a CPU, a RAM, and the like, and authenticates the projector 2 connected to the network 4 by operating according to an authentication program stored in the storage unit 31.

  The storage unit 31 is configured by a hard disk device or the like. The storage unit 31 stores in advance an authentication program for authenticating the projector 2 and a list (registration ID list) of registration IDs of the projectors 2 to be authenticated. The registration ID list can be updated at any time, and the user can add a new registration ID to the registration ID list or delete an existing registration ID from the registration ID list by using an input means such as a keyboard (not shown). Can be.

  The network communication unit 32 is a communication interface connectable to the network 4, and the control unit 30 performs data communication with an external device (such as the projector 2) connected to the network 4 via the network communication unit 32. It can be performed.

Next, operations of the projector 2 and the server 3 will be described.
When commercial power is supplied to the projector 2, the power supply circuit 25 supplies power (standby power) to the control unit 20, storage unit 21, input operation unit 22, network communication unit 27, serial communication unit 28, and LED display unit 29. The control unit 20 receives this power supply and starts an operation according to the control program. Immediately after the commercial power is supplied, the projector 2 is in a standby state (also referred to as a power-off state). In this state, the control unit 20 operates a power key provided in the input operation unit 22 (on operation). Wait.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the projector 2 when the user performs an on-operation. When the input operation unit 22 receives an on operation in the standby state, the projector 2 operates according to the flow shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in step S <b> 101, the control unit 20 performs various initialization processes necessary for performing subsequent operations. This initialization process includes an initialization process related to network communication. The control unit 20 reads out the network setting information (such as its own IP address) stored in the storage unit 21 and reads out the network setting thus read out. Information is set in the network communication unit 27. As a result, the network communication unit 27 is in a state where data communication via the network 4 is possible. When a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server is connected to the network 4, an IP address dynamically assigned by the DHCP server or the like can be used as network setting information to be set.

  In subsequent step S <b> 102, the control unit 20 determines whether or not a host device is connected to the serial communication unit 28. As a result, when the host device is connected, the process proceeds to step S108, and when the host device is not connected, the process proceeds to step S103.

  When the process proceeds to step S103, the control unit 20 requests the server 3 to authenticate itself (projector 2). Specifically, the control unit 20 reads the registration ID from the storage unit 21 and outputs an authentication request with the registration ID from the network communication unit 27 to the server 3.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the server 3. The server 3 waits for an authentication request from the projector 2 while operating in accordance with the authentication program. When the server 3 receives the authentication request from the projector 2, the server 3 operates according to the flow shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in step S <b> 201, the control unit 30 authenticates the projector 2 that has output this authentication request based on the registration ID attached to the authentication request. Specifically, the control unit 30 reads the registration ID list from the storage unit 31 and determines whether or not the registration ID input from the projector 2 is included in the registration ID list. As a result, when the input registration ID is included in the registration ID list, the process proceeds to step S202, and when it is not included, the process proceeds to step S203.

  When the process proceeds to steps S202 and S203, the control unit 30 returns an authentication result to the projector 2 that has requested authentication, and ends the flow. Specifically, when the process proceeds to step S202, a response indicating that the authentication is established is made, and when the process proceeds to step S203, a response indicating that the authentication is not established is made. When this flow ends, the control unit 30 returns to a state of waiting for an authentication request from the projector 2.

  Returning to FIG. 4, in step S <b> 104, the control unit 20 of the projector 2 determines whether or not the authentication is established, that is, whether or not a response indicating that the authentication is established is received from the server 3. As a result, when a response indicating that the authentication is established is received, the process proceeds to step S105, and when the authentication is not established, the process proceeds to step S107. Note that the case where the authentication is not established means that there is no response within a predetermined time due to incomplete network connection or communication failure in addition to the case where the response indicating that the authentication is not established is received from the server 3. Including cases.

  When the authentication is established and the process proceeds to step S105, the control unit 20 instructs the power supply circuit 25 to start supplying the operating power to shift the projector 2 to the power-on state, and in the subsequent step S106, The control unit 20 instructs the light source control unit 26 to turn on the light source 11 and ends the flow. As a result, an image (input image) corresponding to the image information input to the image input unit 23 or the network communication unit 27 is projected from the image projection unit 10.

  On the other hand, if the authentication is not established and the process proceeds to step S107, the control unit 20 changes the lighting state of the LED display unit 29 to a state of blinking, for example, in red, indicating that the authentication is not established (authentication error). Is notified. After notifying the authentication error for a predetermined time, the control unit 20 ends the flow in the standby state. Thus, when the authentication by the server 3 is not established, the user cannot shift the projector 2 to the power-on state, and the use of the projector 2, that is, the image projection is restricted.

  If the host device is connected to the serial communication unit 28 in step S102 and the process proceeds to step S108, the control unit 20 shifts the projector 2 to the setting mode and ends the flow.

  In the setting mode, various setting data stored in the storage unit 21 of the projector 2 can be changed from the host device connected to the serial communication unit 28. The setting data is updated according to the operation. Specifically, when the control unit 20 shifts to the setting mode, the control unit 20 requests the host device to input a personal identification number. When the host device outputs the password entered by the user to the projector 2, the control unit 20 collates the entered password with the password stored in advance in the storage unit 21. Only change the setting data if they match. Thereafter, when the user inputs desired setting data to the host device and the host device outputs the setting data to the projector 2, the control unit 20 transmits the setting data stored in the storage unit 21 from the host device. Replace with the input setting data.

  As described above, since the setting data can be changed by shifting the projector 2 to the setting mode, the setting data such as the network setting information and the registration ID can be changed to the new network environment even when the network environment is changed. Therefore, the projector 2 can be used continuously. In addition, since the password is required to be input when changing the setting data, the setting data is not easily changed by a third party.

As described above, according to the image projection system 1 and the projector 2 of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) According to the present embodiment, the control unit 20 outputs the registration ID stored in the storage unit 21 to the server 3 via the network 4, and the image of the projector 2 based on the authentication result by the server 3. Therefore, the use of the projector 2 can be restricted without the user performing a complicated authentication operation.

  (2) According to the present embodiment, the control unit 20 outputs the registration ID to the server 3 prior to image projection when the projector 2 is activated (during an on operation), and authentication by the server 3 is established. Since the projection of the image is started, the projection of the image cannot be started in an environment where the server 3 cannot be accessed. That is, since the environment in which the projector 2 can be used is limited, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use or theft of the projector 2.

  In the present embodiment, the registration ID stored in the storage unit 21 corresponds to the authentication information, and the control unit 20 when outputting the registration ID in step S103 corresponds to the authentication information output unit. In addition, when the authentication is not established in step S104, the control unit 20 for restricting the projection of the input image corresponds to the projection control unit.

(Modification)
The embodiment may be modified as follows.

In the above embodiment, authentication is performed only when the projector 2 is activated (on operation). However, authentication is performed regularly or irregularly even during operation of the projector 2 (during image projection). When the authentication is not established, the use of the projector 2 may be restricted such as turning off the light source 11.
In the case of performing authentication only at the time of activation, once authentication is obtained at the time of activation, there is a possibility that the projector 2 can be continuously used even if the usage environment of the projector 2 is changed. However, according to this modification, even if the authentication is performed once at the time of startup, the authentication is performed periodically or irregularly during the operation. Therefore, even if the use environment is changed after the authentication, the projector can be adapted to the environmental change accurately. 2 can be restricted, and unauthorized use or theft of the projector 2 can be more securely prevented.

Further, authentication at the time of starting up the projector 2 (on operation) is not performed, and authentication is performed periodically or irregularly during the operation of the projector 2, and the light source 11 is turned off when authentication is not established. For example, the use of the projector 2 may be restricted.
In order to prevent unauthorized use or theft of the projector 2, there is an idea that only the use environment should be confirmed. According to this modification, since the authentication operation at the time of activation is omitted and the use environment of the projector 2 is authenticated regularly or irregularly, the change in the use environment of the projector 2 can be performed more simply and accurately. Can be recognized, and unauthorized use or theft of the projector 2 can be prevented.

  In the above-described embodiment, a wired network is described as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to a wireless network such as a wireless LAN.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the authentication is not established, the power-on state cannot be shifted. However, the use restriction of the projector 2 when the authentication is not established is not limited to this. For example, a predetermined image (for example, a message indicating that an input image cannot be projected) may be projected after the light source 11 is turned on with the power turned on. However, it is desirable not to turn on the light source 11 when authentication is not established, in order to suppress deterioration (reduction in lifetime) of the light source 11 due to the light source 11 being left in a lit state or being repeatedly turned on.

  In the above-described embodiment, the server 3 performs authentication based on a registration ID that can identify an individual projector 2. However, the server 3 may perform authentication using a password that is common to all the projectors 2.

  In the above-described embodiment, the transmissive liquid crystal light valves 12R, 12G, and 12B are used as the light modulator. However, it is also possible to use a reflective light modulator such as a reflective liquid crystal light valve. In addition, it is possible to use a micromirror array device that modulates light emitted from a light source by controlling the emission direction of incident light for each micromirror as a pixel.

  In the embodiment, the light source 11 is configured by the discharge-type light source lamp 11a, but a solid light source such as an LED light source or other light sources may be used.

Explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of an image projection system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a projector. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of a server. The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the projector at the time of ON operation being made. The flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of a server.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image projection system, 2 ... Projector, 3 ... Server, 4 ... Network, 5 ... Image output device, 6 ... Video cable, 10 ... Image projection part, 11 ... Light source, 12R, 12G, 12B ... Liquid crystal light valve, 13 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Projection lens, 14 ... Light valve drive part, 20 ... Control part, 21 ... Memory | storage part, 22 ... Input operation part, 23 ... Image input part, 24 ... Image processing part, 25 ... Power supply circuit, 26 ... Light source control part, 27 ... Network communication unit, 28 ... Serial communication unit, 29 ... LED display unit, 30 ... Control unit, 31 ... Storage unit, 32 ... Network communication unit, SC ... Screen.

Claims (4)

A projector for projecting an image,
A network communication unit for performing communication via a network;
A storage unit for storing authentication information used for authentication of the projector;
An authentication information output unit that outputs the authentication information from the network communication unit to the authentication server connected to the network, and requests authentication based on the authentication information;
A projection control unit that restricts projection of the image based on an authentication result by the authentication server;
A projector comprising: The projector according to claim 1,
The authentication information output unit outputs the authentication information prior to projection of the image,
The projection control unit starts projection of the image when the authentication of the projector by the authentication server is established. The projector according to claim 1 or 2,
The authentication information output unit outputs the authentication information while the projector is projecting the image,
The projection control unit stops projection of the image when the authentication of the projector by the authentication server is not established. A projector that projects an image;
An authentication server connected to the projector over the network and authenticating the projector;
An image projection system comprising:
The projector is
A network communication unit for performing communication via the network;
A storage unit for storing authentication information used for authentication of the projector;
An authentication information output unit that outputs the authentication information from the network communication unit to the authentication server and requests authentication based on the authentication information;
A projection control unit that restricts projection of the image based on an authentication result by the authentication server;
An image projection system comprising:

Images