JP2015001553A - Projector device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a projector device capable of detecting existence of a shielding object covering a projection section, activating a protective function of the projector on the basis of result of the detection, and preventing damage or failure of the shielding object or the projector device in advance.SOLUTION: A projector device 1 comprises a light quantity sensor 8 for detecting a light quantity value of reflected light L2 and L5 from a shielding object 100 in the vicinity of a projection section 6 of the projector 1. When the light quantity value detected by the light quantity sensor 8 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the projector device 1 determines that there is the shielding object 100 in the vicinity of the projection section 6, and performs protective operation.

Description

  The present invention relates to a projector device including a projection lens in a housing.

In a projector that projects an image on a screen using a projection lens, if a shielding object such as a notebook or notebook is placed immediately before the projection lens for the purpose of shielding the light, the shielding object will be damaged by the heat from the condensed light. There is a concern that the projection lens or the projector device itself may be damaged by heat.
On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 11, the air cooled inside the projector body 30 is exhausted from the projection lens 31 side (exhaust flow 33), and the shielding disposed in front of the projection lens 31. A configuration is disclosed in which the wind pressure of the exhaust stream 33 changed by the influence of the object 34 is detected by the sensor 32, and the projector lamp output is controlled based on the detected value, thereby preventing the projector apparatus from being damaged due to the influence of the shielding object. ing.

However, the change in the wind pressure detected by the sensor 32 in the configuration of FIG. 11 is not caused only by the influence of the shielding, but the wind pressure changes every moment depending on the indoor environment in which the projector is installed.
Therefore, the lamp control based on the exhaust flow from the projector is not necessarily an accurate control.

Further, a well-known horizontal type projector device has a projection lens disposed on the side of the device, and further, so-called tilting projection may occur from the positional relationship with the screen to be projected. Even if a shielding object such as a notebook or a notebook is arranged immediately before, a gap is generated between the projection lens and these shielding objects. Therefore, in many cases, the situation does not reach the point where the shield, the projection lens, and the projector device are damaged.
It is a vertically placed type projector device that has a projection unit that emits light from the projection lens on the upper surface of the housing, which is more likely to cause problems in the projection lens and the projector device itself due to the presence of the shielding object.
This is because when a shielding object such as paper is placed on the upper part having the projection unit, the projection unit and the paper are easily brought into close contact with each other, and a gap is not easily formed therebetween. There is a high possibility that heat emitted from the paper is generated by the light emitted from the projection unit, resulting in failure of the projector apparatus and damage of the paper. Further, since there is no sufficient gap between the shielding object and the projection unit, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot be used.
However, even in the above-mentioned horizontally placed projector device, the possibility of a malfunction such as a failure of the projector device cannot be denied depending on the distance between the shielding object and the projection lens.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and in the case where there is a shield in the vicinity (front) of a projection unit that projects light, regardless of whether the projector is installed vertically or horizontally, the shield or projector It is an object of the present invention to provide a projector device that can prevent damage or failure of the device itself.

  In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim 1 includes a light source, a projection unit that projects light from the light source, and detection means that can detect reflected light from the projection direction of light by the projection unit. And a control unit that executes a protection operation when the light quantity value of the reflected light detected by the detection unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.

  Since it comprised as mentioned above, according to this invention, when a shielding object exists in the vicinity of a projection part, damage and a failure of a shielding object and a projector apparatus can be prevented beforehand.

The figure explaining the projector apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure explaining the projector apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure explaining the installation example of the projector apparatus which has arrange | positioned the projection part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment on the housing | casing upper surface. The figure explaining the installation example of the projector apparatus which has arrange | positioned the projection part which concerns on 2nd Embodiment on the housing | casing upper surface. The figure explaining the upper surface of the projector apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the arrangement position of the illumination intensity sensor in 2nd Embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a projector device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an optical unit of the projector device according to the embodiment of the invention. The flowchart which concerns on the obstruction detection by the microcomputer control part, and subsequent protection operation | movement. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a projector disclosed in Patent Document 1.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
[First embodiment (horizontal)]
1 and 2 are diagrams for explaining a projector apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The projector apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a projector apparatus that is used in a horizontal position by arranging a light projection unit (projection lens) 2 on a side surface 1b of the housing in order to realize a small space saving.

During normal use, the light emitted from the projection unit (projection lens 2) provided on the side surface 1b of the housing 1a of the projector device 1 is projected onto the screen S.
Further, the projector device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an illuminance sensor 8 in the vicinity of the projection lens 2 on the side surface 1b of the housing 1a.
During normal use, the illuminance sensor 8 detects the illuminance of outside light (indoor light) including reflected light from the screen S.
As shown in FIG. 2, when the shielding object 100 is placed in the vicinity (immediately before) of the projection lens 2, the emitted light L1 emitted from the projection lens 2 is reflected by the shielding object 100 and enters the illuminance sensor 8 as reflected light L2. To do.

The illuminance sensor 8 can detect reflected light (reflected light reflected from the emission direction) from an object existing in the emission direction (projection direction) of light from the projection unit.
Therefore, when the shielding object 100 is placed immediately before the projection lens 2, the light amount value detected by the illuminance sensor 8 is larger than that during normal use. Can be detected.
When the projector 100 detects the shielding object 100 based on the detection value of the illuminance sensor 8, the projector device 1 performs a protection operation described later.
1 and 2, the illuminance sensor 8 is disposed below the projection lens 2 on the side surface 1b of the casing 1a where the projection lens 2 is provided. However, the illumination sensor 8 is disposed in the vicinity of the projection lens 2 so as to face the screen S. If it is, there is no problem where it is placed.

[Second Embodiment (Vertical Installation)]
The second embodiment relates to a vertical projector provided in a projection unit on an upper surface of a housing.
In the present embodiment, an illuminance sensor is arranged around the projection unit on the upper surface of the projector housing as means for detecting the shielding object.
When the illuminance sensor detects a light amount value equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the projector device determines that the projector device is placed near the projection unit on the upper surface of the housing and starts a protection operation.

3 to 6 are diagrams for explaining a projector apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The projector apparatus shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 6 is a projector apparatus that is used in a vertical arrangement in which a light projection unit is disposed on a horizontal or inclined upper surface of a housing in order to realize a small space saving.

3 and 4 are diagrams illustrating an installation example of the projector device according to the second embodiment in which the projection unit is arranged on the upper surface of the housing.
As shown in FIG. 3, the projector device 1 for vertical installation in which the projection unit 6 that projects light from the projection lens 2 is disposed on the upper surface of the housing is installed near the lower side of the screen S, and An image is projected on the screen S by projecting light from below.
In the case shown in FIG. 3, the projection lens 2 provided in the projector apparatus 1 is installed so that light can be projected toward the screen S from the projection unit 6 provided on the upper surface 1c of the housing 1a.
The projector device 1 having such a configuration is narrower because the installation space can be reduced and the distance between the screen S and the projector device 1 can be shortened as compared to the projector device for horizontal installation shown in FIGS. It is particularly suitable for use in a room.

Further, a configuration as shown in FIG. 4 is also applicable.
That is, the projection lens 2 is provided below the inside of the housing 1a, and the outgoing light L3 from the projection lens 2 is reflected by the reflection mirror 3 also provided inside the housing 1a. And the opening part 4 provided in the upper surface 1c of the housing | casing 1a is made into the projection part 6, and the reflected light L4 is projected toward the screen S from this opening part 4. FIG.
According to this configuration, the optical path length until the light emitted from the projection lens 2 reaches the screen S can be made longer than in the configuration shown in FIG.
The reflecting mirror 3 can be a concave mirror or a convex mirror depending on the configuration of the optical system.
However, in the configuration as shown in FIG. 3, dust that enters the housing 1 a from the opening 4 easily adheres to the reflection mirror 3, so that the dust-proof filter is placed on the upper surface 1 c for the purpose of reducing dust adhesion. 5 must be arranged.
However, when the dustproof filter 5 is disposed on the upper surface 1c, the upper surface 1c becomes flat. Therefore, the upper surface 1c has a structure (shape) that makes it easier to place objects such as notebooks and notebooks that serve as a shield for the projector device 1. End up.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the upper surface of the projector apparatus according to the second embodiment.
In order to operate the projector device in addition to the projection unit 6 including the projection lens 2 (the dustproof filter 5 in FIG. 4) on the upper surface 1c of the casing 1a of the projector device 1 used in the vertical orientation according to the present embodiment. In many cases, an operation unit 7 on which the operation buttons are arranged is provided.
In general, a shielding object such as a notebook is placed on the projection unit 6 while avoiding the operation unit 7.
In such a case, there is a problem in that the light to be emitted from the projection unit 6 is blocked by the shielding object, the shielding object is damaged by the heat generated by the strong emitted light from the projection lens 2, or the projector device itself breaks down. is there.
Therefore, the projector device 1 according to the present embodiment includes an illuminance sensor 4 disposed on the upper surface 1c of the housing 1a, and the illuminance sensor 4 detects that a shield is placed on the upper surface 1c of the housing 1a. In this case, the protection operation described later is performed.
The arrangement location of the illuminance sensor 8 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement position of the illuminance sensor in the present embodiment.
1 and 2, when the illuminance sensor 8 is disposed near the projection unit 6 on the upper surface 1c of the housing 1a (illuminance sensor 8a), similarly to the case where the illuminance sensor 8 is disposed on the side surface 1b of the housing 1a. The gap between the projection unit 6 and the shielding object 100 becomes small (or disappears).
Therefore, since the reflected light L5 from the shielding object 100 does not reach the illuminance sensor 8a, the value of the illuminance sensor 8a does not increase even if the shielding object 100 is in front of the projection unit 6. As a result, the presence of the shielding object 100 cannot be detected by the illuminance sensor 8a.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the illuminance sensor 8b is disposed inside the dustproof filter 5 (for example, in the vicinity of the side of the projection lens or the like).
If it is this position, since a fixed distance can be ensured between the illuminance sensor 8b and the shielding object 100 as in the first embodiment, the reflected light L5 from the shielding object 100 is transmitted by the illuminance sensor 8b. It is possible to detect the presence of the shield 100 by appropriately receiving light.
In the example of FIG. 6, the illuminance sensor 8 b is disposed in the vicinity of the projection lens 2, but not limited to this, as long as the light path is not blocked and the reflected light from the shielding object 100 is incident, You may arrange | position in any position in the housing | casing 1b.

Further, in the projector device in which the projection unit according to the present embodiment is provided on the upper surface of the housing, the upper surface of the housing includes all surfaces on which the projection unit can be disposed, such as an inclined surface as well as a horizontal surface. .
Further, even in the case of a vertically installed projector apparatus that does not use the reflecting mirror 3 as shown in FIG. 3, the illuminance sensor 8 is arranged at an appropriate place where the reflected light inside the housing can be received. It is possible to detect the shielding object in the same manner as in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the projector apparatus according to the present embodiment.
The projector device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a power supply unit 10, a lamp L as a light source, a projection lens 2, a video signal processing unit 11, a light modulation element 12, a light modulation element driving unit 13, an optical unit 15, and a lamp lighting processing unit 16. , A microcomputer control unit 20, an operation unit 7, and an illuminance sensor 8.
The projection lens 2 emits light from the lamp L toward the screen S.
Specifically, the projection lens 2 enlarges and projects an image based on light from an optical unit 15 described later including a video signal modulated by a light modulation element (panel) 12 described later, and forms an image on the screen S. To do.

The video signal processing unit 11 applies A to a color video signal input from an external device such as a PC (personal computer) connected via an input / output I / F such as a serial interface (I / F) (not shown). Processing such as / D conversion and angle of view conversion is performed.
The light modulation element 12 displays the image processed by the image signal processing unit 11 on a liquid crystal screen or the like, modulates the light from the light source L based on the displayed image, and supplies the light toward the projection lens 2. As the light modulation element 12, for example, a transmissive liquid crystal panel is applicable.
The light modulation element driving unit 13 converts the color video signal into a format to be displayed on the liquid crystal panel 12 and supplies it to the liquid crystal panel 12.
The optical unit 15 guides light from the lamp L toward the liquid crystal panel 12.
The lamp lighting processing unit 16 performs lighting control of the lamp L.

The microcomputer control unit (control unit) 20 controls the video signal processing unit 11, the lamp lighting processing unit 16, and the like, and also controls the shielding object detection and protection operation that characterize the present embodiment.
Specifically, the microcomputer control unit 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory), and reads the program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes the program. Various controls of the projector device 1 according to the embodiment are realized. Hereinafter, it is simply referred to as the control unit 20.
The operation unit 7 is an interface for inputting commands to the microcomputer control unit 20.
As described above, the illuminance sensor 8 detects the illuminance value of the reflected light from the shielding object placed on the upper surface 1c of the projector device 1 and the shielding object present in the vicinity of the projection portion of the side surface 1b.
Specifically, when the illuminance sensor 8 detects reflected light from the shielding object 100 placed in the vicinity of the projection unit on the upper surface 1c or the side surface 1b of the housing 1a, the illuminance sensor 8 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the magnitude of the light amount value. The presence of a shield is notified by inputting to the control unit 20.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the optical unit of the projector device according to the present embodiment.
The liquid crystal projector device 1 includes, as the optical unit 15, a first lens array 52 disposed so as to face the exit surface of the lamp L, and a superimposing lens 54 disposed on the exit side thereof.
The light emitted from the superimposing lens 54 is reflected by the reflection mirror 55 and is incident on the color light separation optical system 53 including the dichroic mirrors 60 and 61 and the reflection mirror 68.
The optical unit 15 further includes an incident side lens 59, a relay lens 56, reflection mirrors 57 and 58, three field lenses 62, 65 and 66, three liquid crystal panels 12R, 12G and 12B, and a cross dichroic. And a prism 64.
The reflection mirror 55 has a function of reflecting the light emitted from the superimposing lens 54 in the direction of the color light separation optical system 53. The color light separation optical system 53 has a function of separating light emitted from the superimposing lens 54 into three color lights of red, green, and blue by the two dichroic mirrors 61 and 60.

The first dichroic mirror 61 transmits the red light component of the light emitted from the superimposing lens 54 and reflects the blue light component and the green light component. The red light transmitted through the first dichroic mirror 61 is reflected by the reflection mirror 68, passes through the field lens 66, and reaches the liquid crystal panel 12R for red light. The field lens 66 converts each partial light beam emitted from the superimposing lens 54 into a light beam parallel to the central axis (principal ray). The same applies to the field lenses 62 and 65 provided in front of other liquid crystal panels.
Of the blue light and green light reflected by the first dichroic mirror 61, the green light is reflected by the second dichroic mirror 60, passes through the field lens 65, and reaches the liquid crystal panel 12G for green light. On the other hand, the blue light is transmitted through the second dichroic mirror 60, transmitted through the light guide optical system, that is, the incident side lens 59, reflected by the reflecting mirror 57, transmitted through the relay lens 56, and reflected by the reflecting mirror 58. To do.

Further, the blue light passes through the field lens 62 and reaches the blue light liquid crystal panel 12B.
The three liquid crystal panels 12R, 12G, and 12B have a function as light modulation means for modulating incident light in accordance with given image information (image signal). Thereby, each color light incident on the three liquid crystal panels 12R, 12G, and 12B is modulated in accordance with given image information to form an image of each color light. The three colors of modulated light emitted from the three liquid crystal panels 12R, 12G, and 12B are incident on the cross dichroic prism 64.

  The cross dichroic prism 64 combines the three colors of modulated light to form a color image. In the cross dichroic prism 64, a dielectric multilayer film that reflects red light and a dielectric multilayer film that reflects blue light are formed in a substantially X shape at the interface of four right-angle prisms. These dielectric multilayer films combine three colors of modulated light to form combined light for projecting a color image. The combined light generated by the cross dichroic prism 64 is emitted in the direction of the projection lens 2.

The shielding object detection and protection operation start process according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart relating to shielding detection and subsequent protection operation by the microcomputer control unit.
As described above, the illuminance sensor 8 is a sensor that can measure the illuminance value of the reflected light reflected by the presence of the shielding object from the light emitting direction from the projection unit.

When an illuminance detection signal is input from the illuminance sensor 8 illustrated in FIG. 9 (Yes in step S10), the control unit 20 causes the magnitude (brightness) of the illuminance value indicated by the detection signal to be greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value. Whether the brightness is higher than a predetermined level (step S11).
As a result of the determination, when it is determined that the brightness is equal to or higher than the predetermined value (Yes in step S11), the control unit 20 determines whether or not the detection signal from the illuminance sensor 8 is continuously input for a predetermined time. (Step S12).
As a result, when it is determined that the input of the detection signal continues for a predetermined time (Yes in step S12), the shielding object is placed on the upper surface 1c (FIG. 6) of the housing 1a or in the vicinity of the projection unit 2 (FIG. 2) of the side surface 1b. Assuming that 100 exists, the control unit 20 starts the protection operation (step S13).
If the magnitude (brightness) of the illuminance value detected by the illuminance sensor 8 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (No in step S11), and it does not continue for a predetermined time even if it is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold (in step S12) No), the control unit 20 does not perform the protection operation because the shielding object 100 is not present. That is, normal operation is continued (step S14).

As described above, the items that serve as the determination criteria for the detection of the shielding object and the start of the protection operation are the brightness of the reflected light detected by the illuminance sensor and the duration of the detection.
[Protection operation]
For example, the control unit 20 controls the signal processing circuit (video signal processing unit) 11 to display a black image on the liquid crystal panel 12 and projects from the projection lens 2 as the protection operation of the projector when the shielding object is detected. Limit the amount of light to be emitted.
When black is expressed in the liquid crystal projector, the panel driving unit 13 prevents light from passing through the liquid crystal elements included in the liquid crystal panel 12. Therefore, if the entire screen is black, the amount of light emitted from the liquid crystal projector can be limited.
By limiting the amount of emitted light, it is possible to suppress heat generation of the apparatus and prevent damage to the shield.

Alternatively, the lamp lighting processing unit 16 may be controlled to turn off the lamp L and stop the operation of the projector device 1. By turning off the lamp L, heat generation of the projector device can be suppressed and damage to the shield can be prevented.
Further, the lamp lighting processing unit 16 may be controlled to control the lighting power of the lamp L to be a predetermined value or less. By doing so, it is possible to suppress heat generation of the projector device and to prevent damage to the shield.
Further, a piezoelectric buzzer or the like may be provided in the projector apparatus 1 and controlled to sound a warning sound, or a speaker may be provided to sound a warning message set in advance. The warning message allows the user to take measures such as stopping the use of the projector device and removing the shielding object.

[Illuminance value for judging the presence or absence of shielding objects]
It should be noted that the threshold value of the illuminance value that the control unit 20 determines that the shielding object 100 is present may be a constant value or a variable value determined from the usage state of the projector device.
Here, the usage state of the projector device includes the operating ability of the lamp L, the operating time, the color and density of the projected image, the presence or absence of external light, and the like.

For example, an illuminance sensor (external light detection means) that detects external light such as room light in a room where the projector apparatus 1 is installed, and reflected light (L3 in FIG. 4, L5 in FIG. 6) from the shield 100 or the like. It is provided separately from the illuminance sensor 8 to be detected.
And the microcomputer control part 20 changes a threshold value according to the intensity | strength of the external light detected by this external light detection means.
In this case, it is necessary to consider that the external light detecting means is disposed on the surface opposite to the surface provided with the projection lens 2 and the illuminance sensor 8 so that the reflected light L2 and L5 from the shield is not received. .

For example, when the light quantity value of the external light detected by the external light detection means is large (for example, the room is bright), the influence of the reflected light from the shielding object 100 on the illuminance sensor 8 is relatively small. The threshold value of the illuminance value at is set high.
On the other hand, when the light quantity value of the external light detected by the external light detection means is small (the room is dark), the influence of the reflected light from the shielding object 100 on the illuminance sensor 8 is significant. Set the value threshold low.

In addition, a timer is provided as a time measuring means for measuring the usage time of the lamp L, and the threshold value of the illuminance value for determining the presence or absence of the shielding object is changed according to the usage time of the lamp L timed by the timer.
Further, the illuminance value threshold for determining the presence or absence of the shielding object 100 is changed according to the power of the lamp L.
When the lamp L is used for a long time or when the power value is large, the lamp L and the housing 1a of the projector device 1 are at a high temperature. Therefore, the threshold value of the illuminance value in the illuminance sensor 8 is set low. , Making it easier to shift to a protective operation.
In this case, it is desirable to set the duration in step S12 in FIG. 9 to be short.
Further, the threshold value for determining the presence or absence of the shielding object is changed according to the image (color, darkness) projected from the projection lens 2. As described above, the amount of light emitted from the projection lens 2 varies depending on the color and density of the image. In the case of a bright or dark color, the amount of light increases. In that case, the amount of heat in the projection lens 2 also increases, and the lamp L and the housing 1a of the projector device 1 become hot, so the threshold value of the illuminance value in the illuminance sensor 8 is set low to facilitate the transition to the protection operation. .

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, in the projector having the projection unit disposed on the upper surface or the side surface, the light reflected from the light emission direction, that is, the light emitted from the projection unit and reflected by the shielding object. An illuminance sensor is arranged at a position where the received light can be received.
Thereby, it can detect that a shield exists in the vicinity of a projection lens, and can operate a protection function.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Projector apparatus, 1a housing | casing, 1b side surface, 1c upper surface, 2 projection lens, 3 reflection mirror, 4 opening part, 5 dustproof filter, 6 projection part, 7 operation part, 8 illumination intensity sensor, 10 power supply part, 11 video signal Processing unit, 12 panel, 13 panel drive unit, 15 optical unit, 16 lamp lighting processing unit, 20 microcomputer control unit, 30 projector main body, 31 projection lens, 32 sensor, 33 exhaust flow, 34 shield, L lamp

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-092014

Claims (8)

A light source;
A projection unit for projecting light from the light source;
Detection means capable of detecting reflected light from the projection direction of light by the projection unit;
Control means for performing a protection operation when the light quantity value of the reflected light detected by the detection means is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold;
A projector apparatus comprising: Signal processing means for processing a video signal input from the outside;
Modulation means for displaying a video based on the video signal processed by the signal processing means, and modulating light from the light source based on the video,
The projector device according to claim 1, wherein when the protection operation is performed, the control unit controls the modulation unit to display a black image.   The projector device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control so that the light source is turned off when the protection operation is performed. With audio output means,
The projector device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the sound output unit to output a warning sound when the protection operation is performed.   The projector device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the threshold value according to a usage time of the light source.   The projector device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the threshold value according to power used by the light source. Signal processing means for processing a video signal input from the outside;
Modulation means for displaying a video based on the video signal processed by the signal processing means, and modulating light from the light source based on the video,
The projector device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the threshold value according to a characteristic of the video. Provided with an external light detection means for detecting the amount of external light,
The projector device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the threshold value according to a magnitude of a light amount value of external light detected by the external light detection unit.

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