JP2013254028A - Projector, luminance adjustment program to be used in the same and luminance adjustment method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem in which: contrast decreases by an adjustment for adjusting luminance of black colors in an overlapping area and a non-overlapping area.SOLUTION: To solve the problem, a projector configuring one aspect of the present invention relates to a projector projecting an image. The projector is configured to include: luminance adjustment means that adjusts luminance of the image; black adjustment means that adjust luminance of a non-overlapping area so as to adjust luminance of black colors in an overlapping area where a projection image projected by the projector is overlapped with a projection image projected by other projector on a projected surface and in the non-overlapping area where the projection images are not overlapped with each other thereon; and correction means that, upon adjusting luminance by the black adjustment means, when the luminance of the image adjusted by the luminance adjustment is higher than a reference value, lowers the luminance of the image adjusted by the luminance adjustment means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a projector, a luminance adjustment program used for the projector, and a luminance adjustment method, and more particularly to black luminance adjustment.

  Conventionally, video projection using a plurality of projectors has been performed for the purpose of improving the amount of information of a projected video or improving the brightness. For example, in order to improve the amount of information, a technique called multi-projection (or multi-projection, tiling) in which projection images from a plurality of projectors are arranged in parallel to form one large screen has been used.

  When performing such multi-projection, it is difficult to install a projector so that the projection images of adjacent projectors are not projected at all. there were. At this time, the display positions of the images projected by the respective projectors are adjusted so that the images of the portions where the projected images overlap are the same, thereby making the joints inconspicuous.

  However, when a part of the projected video is projected in an overlapping manner, even if the same video is projected on a region where the projected video from each projector is superimposed (hereinafter referred to as a superimposed region), the region where the brightness of the superimposed region is not superimposed ( Hereinafter, it becomes brighter than the non-overlapping area), which hinders viewing. Hereinafter, a bright portion that occurs in the overlapping region is referred to as a black floating pattern.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-projection display including a plurality of projector units that perform adjustment to add (brighten) the luminance of a non-overlapping area using an auxiliary illumination device.

  A projector having an image processing function for performing adjustment for adding the black luminance of the non-overlapping area is also known.

JP 2005-275077 A

  However, when the brightness of the area including the overlapping area has already been added, the black brightness of the non-overlapping area is further added using the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, so that the black floating pattern is reduced. However, there is a problem that the contrast is lowered.

In order to solve the above problems, a projector constituting one aspect of the present invention is:
A projector for projecting an image,
Brightness adjusting means for adjusting the brightness of the image;
The brightness of the non-overlapping area is adjusted so that the black brightness of the overlapping area where the projection image projected by the projector and the projection image projected by another projector are superimposed on the projection surface and the non-superimposing area that is not superimposed are aligned. Black adjusting means for adjusting
When the black adjustment means adjusts the luminance, if the luminance of the image adjusted by the luminance adjustment means is higher than a reference value, a correction means for lowering the luminance of the image adjusted by the luminance adjustment means. It is characterized by having.

As another aspect of the present invention, a brightness adjustment program includes:
To the projector that projects the image,
A brightness adjustment step for adjusting the brightness of the image;
The brightness of the non-overlapping area is adjusted so that the black brightness of the overlapping area where the projection image projected by the projector and the projection image projected by another projector are superimposed on the projection surface and the non-superimposing area that is not superimposed are aligned. Black adjustment step to adjust,
When adjusting the luminance in the black adjustment step, if the luminance of the image adjusted in the luminance adjustment step is higher than a reference value, a correction step of reducing the luminance of the image adjusted in the luminance adjustment step It is made to perform.

A brightness adjustment method according to another aspect of the present invention is a brightness adjustment method for a projector that projects an image,
A brightness adjustment step for adjusting the brightness of the image;
The brightness of the non-overlapping area is adjusted so that the black brightness of the overlapping area where the projection image projected by the projector and the projection image projected by another projector are superimposed on the projection surface and the non-superimposing area that is not superimposed are aligned. Black adjustment step to adjust,
When adjusting the luminance in the black adjustment step, if the luminance of the image adjusted in the luminance adjustment step is higher than a reference value, a correction step of reducing the luminance of the image adjusted in the luminance adjustment step It is characterized by having.

  In addition, a projector in which the projection optical system is integrally provided or detachably mounted constitutes another aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to adjust the black luminance that matches the black luminance of the overlapping region and the non-superimposing region.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a projector that is a first embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory drawing of the black adjustment which arranges the brightness | luminance of a superimposition area | region and a non-superimposition area | region. The figure which shows the menu display regarding black adjustment in case reverse correction cannot be performed. The figure which shows the menu display regarding black adjustment in case reverse correction can be performed. The flowchart of the process of the reverse correction in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart of the process of the reverse correction in the modification of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing of the effect of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing for a comparison.

<Embodiment 1>
Hereinafter, a projector according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  A video signal is input from the video input unit 10 from an external PC or the like. The video input unit 10 is provided with a terminal for inputting a video signal such as a composite terminal or an HDMI terminal, and a receiver IC for receiving a video signal input through these terminals. The video input unit 10 also includes a circuit that performs resolution conversion and IP conversion, a frame memory, and the like, and can convert video signals of various formats into video signals of a desired format.

  The GUI unit 50 draws various images under the control of the UI unit 40 and superimposes the drawn images on the video signal. The GUI unit 50 performs various image settings such as a screen for adjusting the brightness of the entire video signal and a screen for adjusting the black luminance of the non-overlapping area when performing multi-projection. Overlay the menu screen.

  The video signal (image) output from the GUI unit 50 is projected as a projection image from the video projection unit 20 after various image processing is applied by the image processing unit 100. The image processing unit 100 includes a processing unit that executes various image processing functions. The image processing unit 100 includes an offset unit 110 serving as a luminance adjusting unit, a color unevenness correcting unit 120 serving as a luminance adjusting unit, a black adjusting unit 130 serving as a black adjusting unit, and a reverse correcting unit 140 serving as a correcting unit. .

  The offset unit 110, the black adjustment unit 130, and the reverse correction unit 140 other than the color unevenness correction unit 120 can be directly operated from the UI unit 40.

  The offset unit 110 (first luminance adjusting unit) has a function of offsetting the signal level of the entire video signal (entire image), and is used, for example, when it is desired to adjust the brightness of the video signal. The amount by which the offset unit 110 can offset the signal level is limited to a predetermined range, and if an adjustment exceeding that range is attempted, the signal level is saturated to a certain upper or lower limit level. It is supposed to be.

  The color unevenness correction unit 120 (second brightness adjusting unit) has a function of adjusting the brightness unevenness of the projected video that occurs due to individual variations or the like for each part of the projector, so that the brightness of the projected video is uniform in the plane. The color unevenness correction unit 120 uses values that are adjusted and set in advance for each individual, and a UI for the user to directly set values is not prepared. The color unevenness correction unit 120 can be set to perform fine signal level correction for each region or signal level. For example, when the brightness of the outer edge portion of the projected image is low, the brightness of that portion is increased. By performing the above, it is used such that the brightness of the entire screen is made uniform.

  The black adjustment unit 130 offsets the signal level of a partial area of the video signal. Unlike the offset unit 110 and the color unevenness correction unit 120, the black adjustment unit 130 is only in the direction in which the signal level is added (the direction in which the luminance is increased). It can be adjusted. If this function is used, for example, when the video signals as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B are superimposed, only the signal level of the non-superimposed region is offset (increasing the luminance), and FIG. (C) The video signal shown in FIG. 2 (d) can be generated. Thereby, when performing multi-projection, it is possible to project a video signal in which the luminances of the superimposed region and the non-superimposed region are uniform as shown in FIG.

  The reverse correction unit 140 operates as follows based on the control of the UI unit 40 when the black adjustment unit 130 is set to offset the signal level of a part of the video signal. When the offset correction unit 140 is set to be offset in the direction in which the signal level is added, the reverse correction unit 140 sets an amount equal to or less than the offset amount offset by the black adjustment unit 130 to the offset unit 110. Subtract from the offset amount. The offset amount is a difference between the signal level in the initial state and the signal level after the offset processing.

  On the other hand, the reverse correction unit 140 functions as follows based on the control of the UI unit 40 when the black adjustment unit 130 is set to offset the signal level of a part of the video signal. Also have. The reverse correction unit 140 sets the offset amount of the non-overlapping area offset by the black adjustment unit 130 when the color unevenness correction unit 120 is set to be offset in the direction in which the signal level of the overlapping area is added. Subtract. Further, the inverse correction unit 140 performs setting for offsetting the color unevenness correction unit 120 in the direction of subtracting the signal level of the superimposition region (the region where the signal level is not offset by the black adjustment unit 130).

  Thereby, when the signal level is set to a value higher than the reference signal level in advance by the offset unit 110 or the color unevenness correction unit 120, the luminance of the non-superimposed region is reduced by reducing the luminance of the region including the superimposed region. The occurrence of black floating patterns can be suppressed without raising it more than necessary. That is, it is possible to suppress a decrease in contrast that occurs due to black adjustment.

  The video projection unit 20 includes a liquid crystal panel, a panel drive IC, a lamp, a projection lens, and the like. The video projection unit 20 modulates the video signal transmitted from the image processing unit 100 with a liquid crystal panel, and the modulated light is received via a projection optical system. Project onto the projection surface.

  The operation input unit 30 includes an infrared light receiving unit, a control signal receiving terminal, and a microcomputer for recognizing various received information as operation inputs. The operation input unit 30 always monitors the presence or absence of an operation input. When the operation input is received, the information is immediately notified to the UI unit 40 by communication or the like.

  The UI unit 40 performs various controls on the GUI unit 50 and the image processing unit 100 based on the operation input information sent from the operation input unit 30. When the UI unit 40 receives a setting start operation input related to image processing, the UI unit 40 controls the GUI unit 50 to superimpose a menu screen on which setting items for setting image processing are arranged on the video signal. .

  When the UI unit 40 receives an operation input for selecting a setting item for a specific image processing while the menu screen is displayed, the UI unit 40 switches the display to a menu screen for performing settings for the image processing. Upon receiving an operation input for changing the setting for the image processing, the UI unit 40 controls the image processing unit 100 according to the setting and displays the changed setting content on the menu screen.

  Here, if the signal level is not offset by the offset unit 110 or the color unevenness correction unit 120, the signal level is too low, and thus the reverse correction by the reverse correction unit 140 may not be possible. In this case, the UI unit 40 displays, for example, an image as shown in FIG. 3 as a menu screen for setting the black adjustment unit 130. The user can set the adjustment amount by the black adjustment unit 130 based on the display on the menu screen of FIG. The value displayed on the menu screen may be a luminance value or a parameter corresponding to the luminance.

  On the other hand, when the reverse correction setting by the reverse correction unit 140 is possible, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. 4, the user can know that the signal level of the superimposed region can be lowered as the setting to the black adjustment unit 130. The initial state is displayed corresponding to a negative value. Here, the case where the reverse correction setting by the reverse correction unit 140 is possible refers to the case where the offset unit 110 is set to be offset in the direction in which the signal level is added, or the color unevenness correction unit 120 is the signal of the superimposed region. This is a case where the setting for offsetting in the direction of adding the level has been made.

  Whether the reverse correction setting by the reverse correction unit 140 is possible or not is determined by setting a flag that allows reverse correction if it is determined that the signal level is set to be offset. Also good. Alternatively, it may be determined whether the set value of the offset signal level is higher than a predetermined reference set value.

  When the UI unit 40 receives an operation input for adjusting the signal level from the user while displaying the menu screen illustrated in FIG. 4, the UI unit 40 controls the reverse correction unit 140 to perform reverse correction. Specifically, when the black adjustment by the black adjustment unit 130 is performed, the offset amount corresponding to the value set by the user is subtracted from the offset amount already increased. Thereby, the user can perform desired brightness adjustment while suppressing the occurrence of the black floating pattern.

  In addition, the UI unit 40 performs the above-described control, so that the user can perform reverse correction even if the user does not know how the offset unit 110 and the color unevenness correction unit 120 are adjusted. It is possible to improve convenience.

  FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the UI unit 40 when the brightness adjustment is performed by the offset unit 110. This process is executed by the UI unit 40 in accordance with a computer program (brightness adjustment program). Further, the flow shown in FIG. 5 starts from a state in which the menu screen of FIG. 4 for setting the black adjustment unit 130 is displayed.

  In step S51, the UI unit 40 determines whether or not the offset unit 110 has adjusted to increase the luminance in step S51. As an example, it may be determined whether the signal level set in the offset unit 110 is higher than a reference value. When the adjustment to increase the luminance is performed by the offset unit 110, the process proceeds to step S52.

  In step S <b> 52, the UI unit 40 controls the reverse correction unit 140 to subtract an amount equal to or less than the offset amount offset by the black adjustment unit 130 from the offset amount of the offset unit 110. .

  FIG. 6 shows a modification of the processing flow executed by the UI unit 40. When the process is started, in step S <b> 10, the UI unit 40 determines whether an instruction to change the black adjustment setting has been given via the operation input unit 30. In this modified example, it is determined whether or not an instruction to change the black adjustment setting in the adding direction is given. This is, for example, an instruction to change the black adjustment setting parameter from −5 to −4 via the menu screen shown in FIG. Hereinafter, this setting change is referred to as addition setting. When the black adjustment addition setting is instructed, the process proceeds to step S20. Otherwise, the process waits at step S10.

  In step S20, the UI unit 40 determines whether or not the reverse correction unit 140 can perform reverse correction (first determination unit). If it is not possible to perform reverse correction, the process returns to step S10 and waits. If reverse correction can be performed, the process proceeds to step S30. Here, if it is not possible to perform reverse correction, the same determination is always made in S20 until the state of the image processing unit 100 changes due to notification of an instruction other than the black adjustment addition setting. Become.

  In step S30, the UI unit 40 determines whether or not the color unevenness correction unit 120 can perform reverse correction (second determination unit). If reverse correction is possible for the color unevenness correction unit 120, the process proceeds to step S50. On the other hand, if reverse correction is not possible for the uneven color correction unit 120, the process proceeds to step S40. In step S30, the reason why the UI unit 40 determines whether the color unevenness correction unit 120 has been set to be offset in the direction in which the signal level is added is the adjustment performed by the color unevenness correction unit 120. Is independent of user operations. For this reason, even if the user performs various image processing settings, the amount (adjustment amount) that can be reversely corrected does not change.

  In step S40 and step S50, the UI unit 40 performs reverse correction on the black adjustment unit 130 on the offset unit 110 and the color unevenness correction unit 120 using the reverse correction unit 140.

  In step S60, it is determined whether an instruction to end the black adjustment menu screen display has been given. If there is no instruction to end the display of the menu screen, the process returns to step S10. If an instruction to end the display of the menu screen is given, this flow ends.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the effect of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are video signals projected by each projector. FIGS. 7C and 7D are video signals when black adjustment with reverse correction according to the present invention is performed on FIGS. 7A and 7B. FIG. 7E is a diagram of the entire video signal in which the video signals shown in FIGS. 7C and 7D are superimposed.

  As a comparative example, FIG. 8A to FIG. 8E are diagrams of video signals when the present invention is not implemented. 8 (a) and 8 (b) are the same video signals as those in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the adjustment by the black adjustment unit 130 is simply performed, the black luminance of the non-overlapping region is increased, but the luminance of the appropriate region is increased by the reverse correction unit 140. Therefore, the black luminance of the video signal before adjustment can be approximated. Or while suppressing generation | occurrence | production of a black floating pattern, it can adjust to the brightness | luminance which a user desires.

  Further, when the luminance of the superimposed region is low and further reduction processing cannot be performed (when reverse correction cannot be performed), the black adjustment unit 130 increases the luminance of black in the non-superimposed region as illustrated in FIG. In other words, according to the present invention, it is determined whether or not reverse correction is possible, and appropriate black adjustment is performed in each case. Therefore, an image when performing multi-projection regardless of the black luminance before adjustment. The occurrence of black floating patterns in the entire signal can be suppressed.

  Further, when the correction is possible and the adjustment for increasing the luminance of the superimposed region is performed by the color unevenness correction unit 120, the color unevenness is obtained after the offset amount adjusted by the black adjustment unit 130 is subtracted. The offset amount of the overlapping area adjusted by the correction unit 120 is lowered. Accordingly, in order to obtain a video signal having a desired luminance with the black floating pattern suppressed, the user only has to operate the black adjustment amount, so that usability can be improved.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation and change are possible within the range of the summary.

  In the above embodiment, the offset amount is the difference between the signal level in the initial state and the signal level after the offset. However, if the signal level has already been corrected by the inverse correction unit, the offset is offset from the corrected signal level. It is good also as a difference of a later signal level.

  For example, the initial state of FIG. 4 may be displayed corresponding to a zero value. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the luminance adjustment unit is the offset unit 110 and the color unevenness correction unit 120 has been described. However, the luminance adjustment means may be a multidimensional LUT (lookup table) conversion process.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case has been described in which the timing of performing the reverse correction is the timing at which an instruction to change the black adjustment amount is received while the setting menu screen is displayed on the black adjustment unit 130. However, the timing for performing the reverse correction is, for example, the timing when a setting screen for selecting whether to perform the reverse correction is displayed on the menu and the operation input instructing the reverse correction is received from the user in that state. May be. Alternatively, when a unit for selecting a screen adjustment mode for multi-projection (including screen position adjustment, black floating pattern reduction adjustment, etc.) is included, the timing at which the instruction to start the screen adjustment mode is received may be used.

  In addition, the GUI processing unit 50 may be included in the image processing unit 100 in the above embodiment. Further, the order of the processing performed by the black adjustment unit 130 and the processing performed by the color unevenness correction unit 120 may be reversed, or the black adjustment unit 130 and the color unevenness correction unit 120 may be configured to perform other image processing. Good.

  The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

110 Offset unit 120 Color unevenness correction unit 130 Black adjustment unit 140 Reverse correction unit

Claims (9)

A projector for projecting an image,
Brightness adjusting means for adjusting the brightness of the image;
The brightness of the non-overlapping area is adjusted so that the black brightness of the overlapping area where the projection image projected by the projector and the projection image projected by another projector are superimposed on the projection surface and the non-superimposing area that is not superimposed are aligned. Black adjusting means for adjusting
When the black adjustment means adjusts the luminance, if the luminance of the image adjusted by the luminance adjustment means is higher than a reference value, a correction means for lowering the luminance of the image adjusted by the luminance adjustment means. A projector comprising:   The projector according to claim 1, further comprising a first determination unit that determines whether the luminance adjusted by the luminance adjustment unit is higher than the reference value. The brightness adjusting means is first brightness adjusting means for adjusting the brightness of the entire image,
The projector according to claim 1, wherein the correction unit lowers the luminance of the image adjusted by the first luminance adjustment unit. The brightness adjusting means is a second brightness adjusting means capable of adjusting the brightness of the overlapping region,
3. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the correction unit lowers the luminance of the superimposed region adjusted by the second luminance adjustment unit.   5. The projector according to claim 4, further comprising a second determination unit configured to determine whether or not the luminance adjusted by the second luminance adjustment unit is higher than the reference value.   The projector according to claim 1, wherein the correcting unit lowers the luminance adjusted by the luminance adjusting unit by the luminance adjusted by the black adjusting unit.   The projector according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays an image for setting an adjustment amount by the black adjustment unit. To the projector that projects the image,
A brightness adjustment step for adjusting the brightness of the image;
The brightness of the non-overlapping area is adjusted so that the black brightness of the overlapping area where the projection image projected by the projector and the projection image projected by another projector are superimposed on the projection surface and the non-superimposing area that is not superimposed are aligned. Black adjustment step to adjust,
When adjusting the luminance in the black adjustment step, if the luminance of the image adjusted in the luminance adjustment step is higher than a reference value, a correction step of reducing the luminance of the image adjusted in the luminance adjustment step A brightness adjustment program that is executed. A method of adjusting brightness of a projector that projects an image,
A brightness adjustment step for adjusting the brightness of the image;
The brightness of the non-overlapping area is adjusted so that the black brightness of the overlapping area where the projection image projected by the projector and the projection image projected by another projector are superimposed on the projection surface and the non-superimposing area that is not superimposed are aligned. Black adjustment step to adjust,
When adjusting the luminance in the black adjustment step, if the luminance of the image adjusted in the luminance adjustment step is higher than a reference value, a correction step of reducing the luminance of the image adjusted in the luminance adjustment step A luminance adjustment method comprising:

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