JP2012242491A - Image projection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily project a trapezoidal-distortion-free image with an inexpensive device.SOLUTION: A mirror for reflecting image light emitted from an optical engine unit is provided so as to be freely rotatable. A camera that interlocks with the inclination of the mirror and inclines at an angle twice that of the mirror is provided. An image shown on a screen located in a second projecting direction, which is reflected by the mirror, is picked up by the camera. An image emitted from the optical engine unit is corrected based on the picked-up image data of the camera so that an image shown on the screen has an image of a normal shape. Since the direction of the camera picking up an image shown on the screen is interlocked with the mirror, the need for adjustment to the direction of the camera is eliminated, and a correction process for an image shape can be simplified.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image projection apparatus that can project onto a screen.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a small projector device as an image projection device that projects an image on a screen or the like hung on a wall so that, for example, an image displayed on a display of a notebook personal computer can be viewed by a large number of people at once. In some cases, an optical unit that can be connected to a notebook personal computer (personal computer) as a portable information processing apparatus is used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-76814 A

  In the thing of the said patent document 1, it has a light source part, a liquid crystal panel, an optical path change mirror, and a lens part, an original image | video is created on a liquid crystal panel based on the video signal from a notebook type personal computer, The light passes through the liquid crystal panel, the optical path is changed by the mirror, and is projected through the lens unit. Thus, by rotating the mirror and switching the angle in the reflection direction, it is possible to project in an arbitrary direction at a predetermined angle.

  However, for example, by changing the angle of the mirror with respect to a screen such as a wall, trapezoidal distortion occurs in the projected image on the screen, so it is necessary to correct the trapezoidal distortion. There are various methods for correcting trapezoidal distortion, but in the case of manual operation, the cost of the device is low, but adjustment is complicated, and the tilt of the device is detected by a sensor and correction is automatically performed. However, there has been a problem that the device is soared.

  The present invention has been devised to solve such problems of the prior art, and its main object is to provide an image projection apparatus that can easily obtain a projection image without trapezoidal distortion with an inexpensive apparatus. It is to provide.

  According to an image projection apparatus of the present invention, a projection unit that projects an image in a first projection direction based on an input image signal, and the image projected from the projection unit is different from the first projection direction. Image data obtained by capturing an image projected on a screen disposed on a light path in the second projection direction and a mirror provided to project in the projection direction of the second projection image on the screen. And a camera that outputs the image signal to an image shape correcting unit that corrects the image signal so as to have a normal shape.

  According to the present invention, the image projected from the projection unit is projected by the mirror in the second projection direction different from the first projection direction from the projection unit, and on the screen provided in the second projection direction. Since the image displayed on the screen is captured by the camera and the captured image data is output to the image shape correcting means, the image signal is corrected by the image shape correcting means so that the image on the screen has a normal shape, and the image is corrected by the mirror. An image displayed on the screen with the direction changed can be made into a normal shape. Since the orientation of the camera that captures the image displayed on the screen is linked to the mirror, it is not necessary to adjust the orientation of the camera, and the image shape correction process can be simplified.

The perspective view which shows the usage example in the notebook-type personal computer which assembled | attached the image projector by this invention. The principal part expansion perspective view which shows an image projection apparatus. The figure which shows an example of a mirror, a camera, and a deceleration mechanism. Explanatory drawing which shows the tilting relationship between a mirror and a camera.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a projection unit that projects an image in a first projection direction based on an input image signal, and the image projected from the projection unit. Imaging data obtained by capturing an image projected on a mirror disposed to project in a second projection direction different from the projection direction and a screen disposed on the optical path in the second projection direction. And a camera that outputs the image signal to an image shape correcting unit that corrects the image signal so that the image on the screen has a normal shape.

  According to this, the image projected from the projection unit is projected by the mirror in the second projection direction different from the first projection direction from the projection unit, and projected on the screen provided in the second projection direction. Since the captured image is captured by the camera and the captured data is output to the image shape correction unit, the image signal is corrected by the image shape correction unit so that the image on the screen has a normal shape, and the direction is set by the mirror. The image that is changed and projected on the screen can be easily made into a normal shape. Since the orientation of the camera that captures the image displayed on the screen is linked to the mirror, it is not necessary to adjust the orientation of the camera, and the image shape correction process can be simplified.

  According to a second invention, in the first invention, the mirror is rotatably provided, and the camera images the second projection direction in conjunction with the rotation of the mirror. It is set as the structure provided so that it may displace to direction.

  According to this, only by rotating the mirror and determining the projection direction, the camera can image the second projection direction by the mirror in conjunction with the mirror, and the operation is easy.

  According to a third aspect, in the second aspect, the camera is interlocked at an angle of 1: 2 with respect to the angle of the mirror by the rotation of the mirror.

  According to this, the rotation angle of the mirror is 1/2 with respect to the angle between the first projection direction and the second projection direction, and the angle of the camera that captures the second projection direction is the rotation of the mirror. Since the angle is twice, the mirror and the camera can be linked with a simple gear mechanism having a gear ratio of 1: 2 between the angle of rotation of the mirror and the angle of displacement of the camera.

  According to a fourth invention, in the first to third inventions, the mirror and the camera are assembled in one case, and the case is in the projection direction of the projection unit with respect to the projection unit. It is set as the structure provided so that proximity and separation are possible.

  According to this, for example, the projection unit is built in and fixed to the notebook computer, and the case with the mirror and camera assembled is placed in the notebook computer at a position close to the projection unit and displaced outward from the notebook computer. By setting the positions apart from each other, the image projection apparatus can be integrally assembled with the notebook personal computer, and the convenience of the image projection apparatus can be enhanced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of use in a notebook personal computer to which an image projection apparatus according to the present invention is assembled. As shown in the figure, the notebook computer 1 has a known structure having a main body 3 provided with a keyboard 2 and a lid 4 supported so as to be able to stand upside down on the back surface 3a side of the main body 3. It may be. On the back surface (the keyboard 2 side) of the lid 4 is provided a display 4a made up of, for example, a liquid crystal screen for displaying various information in the personal computer processing.

  An image projection device 5 is provided on the back surface 3 a side of the main body 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the image projection device 5 includes a housing 6 supported by the main body 3, a case 8 slidably provided on the housing 6 via an arm 7, and a case 8. It has a mirror 13 and a camera 10. The housing 6 is slidably supported by the main body 3 so as to be displaceable between two positions: a built-in state embedded in the main body 3 and a protruding state protruding from the back surface 3a. An optical engine unit 11 as a projection unit is provided.

  The optical engine unit 11 enlarges and projects an image having the same information as the display 4a. For example, each laser light source device that outputs each laser beam of green, red, and blue, and each color laser beam have the same optical path. And a control circuit for performing control to output each color laser beam as a color image by a field sequential method (time division display method) according to the image signal. These structures may be known, and illustration and description are omitted. Note that an emission window 11 a for emitting laser light of a color image is provided on the same side as the back surface 3 a of the housing 6.

  The housing 6 described above is slidable in a direction orthogonal to the back surface 3 a of the main body 3. An arm 7 is also provided on the housing 6 so as to be slidable in a direction perpendicular to the back surface 3 a, and a case 8 is coupled to the projecting end of the arm 7. In this way, the case 8 can face the back surface 3a and be separated from and approaching.

  In the case 8, there are provided a first rotation shaft 12a and a second rotation shaft 12b that are rotatable about an axis parallel to the back surface 3a and are coaxial with each other. One end portion in the axial direction of the first rotation shaft 12a protrudes outward from the side surface of the case 8, and the protruding portion provides a grip portion 12d that can be gripped when the first rotation shaft 12a is rotated. Yes.

  Further, a mirror 13 is integrally fixed to the first rotation shaft 12a so as to extend radially outward along the axis of the first rotation shaft 12a. The mirror 13 is formed in a size that can be accommodated in the case 8, and the reflecting surface 13 a is provided on a surface facing the main body 3 in a state where the mirror 13 is raised from the case 8.

  The camera 10 is integrally provided on the second rotating shaft 12b. The camera 10 is fixed to the projecting direction end of the shaft portion projecting outward in the radial direction of the second rotation shaft 12b, and is accommodated in the case 8 by the rotation of the second rotation shaft 12b. You can get up from the state. Further, a reduction gear device 12c that rotates the second rotation shaft 12b by an angle 2θ when the first rotation shaft 12a is rotated by an angle θ is provided between the rotation shafts 12a and 12b. ing.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the reduction gear device 12c. In the figure, a reduction gear device 12c is interposed between the first rotation shaft 12a and the second rotation shaft 12b, and a large-diameter gear Z1 is coaxially fixed to the first rotation shaft 12a. A small diameter gear Z2 is coaxially fixed to the rotating shaft 12b. Both gears Z1 and Z2 are gear-coupled via idle gears Z3 and Z4 fixed to idle shafts parallel to both shafts 12a and 12b. For example, assuming that the gear ratio between the large-diameter gear Z1 and the corresponding idle gear Z3 is 2: 1, and the gear ratio between the small-diameter gear Z2 and the corresponding idle gear Z4 is 1: 1, the rotation angle of the first rotation shaft 12a. In contrast, the rotation angle of the second rotation shaft 12b can be doubled. The reduction gear mechanism 12c is not limited to the structure of the illustrated example, and various known transmission mechanisms can be applied as long as the ratio of the rotation angles is 1: 2.

  Next, an operation procedure in the image projection apparatus configured as described above will be described. As described above, when the notebook personal computer 1 in which the image projection apparatus according to the present invention is incorporated in advance is used to display and display the same image as the content displayed on the display 4a, the partner is positioned facing each other. In this case, the surface 4b (the surface opposite to the display 4a) 4b of the lid 4 in the standing state of the notebook personal computer 1 can be used as a screen.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 6 and the case 8 of the optical engine unit 11 are pulled out from the back surface 3 a of the main body 3. Since the case 8 is slidably provided on the housing 6 via the arm 7, it can be pulled out to a position further away from the housing 6. For example, by providing a plurality of vertical grooves at predetermined intervals on the arm 7 and providing an elastic engagement piece that engages with the vertical grooves on the housing 6 side, the amount of drawer of the case 8 can be arbitrarily set. It can be done.

  For example, the optical engine unit 11 is driven by operating a switch (not shown). As shown in FIG. 4, the laser beam L1 emitted from the emission window 11a is reflected by the mirror 13 and travels toward the surface 4b of the lid body 4 in the standing state. The angle θ of the mirror 13 can be arbitrarily set by turning the grip portion 12d described above. In the figure, the optical axis of the laser beam L1 toward the mirror 13 is defined as the first projection direction, and the axis is perpendicular to the optical axis. Shown as an angle from. Then, the reflected light L2 reflected by the mirror 13 is directed to the back surface 4b of the lid body 4 in the second projection direction, and the same image as the display 4a is displayed on the back surface 4b. Note that the focusing can be performed by a not-shown adjuster or the like by processing of a known optical system.

  Further, since the image projected at an angle by the mirror 13 is projected as a trapezoid when the laser beam L1 is rectangular, it is necessary to perform trapezoidal distortion correction. The trapezoidal distortion correction may be performed by processing using a CPU in the notebook computer 1, but the optical engine unit 11 may be processed by providing a shape correction circuit that performs correction processing in accordance with the imaging data of the camera 10. it can. In this case, correction can be performed by performing trapezoidal distortion correction so that the upper side and the lower side that are displayed in the trapezoidal shape of the image captured by the camera 10 have the same dimensions. This trapezoidal distortion correction can also be performed by a known circuit, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, the camera 10 tilts to an angle 2θ that is twice the angle θ of the mirror 13, whereby the imaging direction of the camera 10 is the direction of the reflected light L 2 (second projection direction) by the mirror 13. Match. Therefore, by rotating the mirror 13 and projecting an image on the surface 4b of the lid 4, the camera 10 faces the reflected light L2 that can capture the image without adjusting the orientation of the camera 10.

  In addition to the case where the surface 4b of the lid 4 in the standing state of the notebook computer 1 is used as a screen as in the illustrated example, it is possible to project by avoiding the lid 4 by increasing the angle of the mirror 13. In that case, by separately preparing a portable screen, it is possible to project onto the screen. Even in such a case, since the camera 10 is directed in the projection direction in conjunction with the mirror 13, the image on the screen is picked up, the trapezoidal distortion correction is performed as described above, and the image in the normal shape is displayed on the screen. Can be projected.

  Further, by allowing the case 8 to be bent with respect to the arm 7, the reflection direction (second projection direction) by the mirror 13 can be directed to, for example, the left-right direction of the main body 3, and in this case, an image is displayed on the wall or the like. Can be projected. Also in this case, since the camera 10 changes its direction integrally with the case 8 and tilts in conjunction with the tilt of the mirror 13 in the same manner as described above, even if trapezoidal distortion occurs in the projected image, the imaging of the camera 10 By inputting the data to the shape correction circuit of the optical engine unit 11 and performing correction processing so that the upper and lower sides of the image in the image data coincide with each other, a normal shape image can be displayed on a wall or the like.

  In addition to the trapezoidal distortion correction, the shape correction circuit can correct the imaged data so that the shape of the imaging data is rectangular by a known image shape correction technique. By providing such a shape correction circuit, even if the surface 4b of the lid 4 is not flat, shape correction is performed based on the imaging data of the camera 10, and the projected image is converted into a normal rectangle. can do. In this case, when the shape (step difference or the like) of the surface 4b of the lid 4 is known in advance, for example, by setting the distribution of correction values on the screen to be adaptable, it becomes easy and more normal. It can be corrected.

  As described above, in the image projecting apparatus having a structure in which the image reflected by the mirror 13 is displayed on the screen, an image having a normal shape can be obtained with a simple configuration without separately adjusting the orientation of the camera 10 for correcting trapezoidal distortion. Can be projected.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the example assembled | attached and used for the notebook type personal computer 1, you may use the image projector by this invention for an external connection. For example, the housing 6 and the case 8 can be handled as a single unit via the arm 7 to be a separate device from the notebook computer 1, and the optical engine unit 11 is connected to the external video output terminal of the notebook computer 1 with a cable. To do. As a result, the case 8, that is, the mirror 13 can be directed in an arbitrary direction, the position of the screen on which the image is projected can be freely selected, and the handleability is improved.

  The image projection apparatus according to the present invention does not require adjustment of the orientation of the camera that captures the image on the screen in order to correct the shape of the image reflected by the mirror and projected on the screen, and is useful as a portable projector or the like. It is.

1 notebook computer 4 lid 4b surface (screen)
8 Case 10 Camera 11 Optical engine unit (projection unit / image shape correcting means)
12a First rotating shaft 12b Second rotating shaft 12c Reduction gear device 13 Mirror

Claims (4)

A projection unit that projects an image in a first projection direction based on an input image signal;
A mirror provided to project the image projected from the projection unit in a second projection direction different from the first projection direction;
An image obtained by correcting the image signal so that the image on the screen has a normal shape, based on the image data obtained by capturing the image projected on the screen arranged on the optical path in the second projection direction. An image projection apparatus comprising: a camera that outputs to a shape correction unit. The mirror is rotatably provided,
The image projection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the camera is provided so as to be displaced in a direction in which the second projection direction is imaged in conjunction with rotation of the mirror.   The image projection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the camera is interlocked at an angle of 1: 2 with respect to an angle of the mirror by rotating the mirror. The mirror and the camera are assembled in one case,
The image projection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the case is provided so as to be able to approach and move away from the projection unit in the projection direction of the projection unit.

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