JP2016004086A - Image projection device, image projection method, and multi-projection system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image projection device that detects, with high accuracy, an irradiated image in an area where a plurality of photographed images overlap.SOLUTION: The image projection device comprises: projection means for dividing an input image in time for each of a plurality of color components and projecting the resulting image to a prescribed projection plane; image-capturing means for capturing at least the input image projected to the projection plane by the projection means and an other image projected to the projection plane by an other device; sync signal output means for outputting, to the other device, a local device-side sync signal generated on the basis of the timing of time division for each color component by the projection means; sync signal input means for inputting an other device-side sync signal generated on the basis of the timing of time division for each color component when the other image is projected by the other device; and control means which, when the local device-side sync signal differs from the other device-side sync signal inputted by the sync signal input means, controls the timing of time division for each color component by the projection means so that it is synchronized with the other device-side sync signal.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image projection apparatus, an image projection method, and a multi-projection system.

  A projector enlarges and projects an image such as a character or graph on a screen, and is therefore widely used for presentations for a large number of people. In order to make it easy for the presenter, the presenter or commentator, to understand the explanation during this presentation, pointing the image projected on the screen using a laser pointer or the like is usually a widely practiced act. It is.

  However, direct pointing of a projected image with a laser pointer is difficult to see due to camera shake, and is not sharp because it is monochromatic. Therefore, in recent years, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) camera built in the projector detects a point irradiated by a user with a laser pointer, and the same point as this irradiation point A technique of displaying a pointer or a marking image on the screen is already known.

  On the other hand, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a projector apparatus that employs a DLP (Digital Light Processing) (registered trademark) system. The DLP (registered trademark) projector device is a display drive to form a light image corresponding to the color component after high-intensity white light from a light source lamp is colored in a time-sharing manner by rotating the color wheel. The reflected light is reflected by a micromirror element, and the reflected light is projected onto a projection target screen or the like through a lens of a projection optical system.

  The color wheel is a disk-like member in which each color segment of Red (red), Green (green), Blue (blue), and White (transparent) is arranged in a circle. In addition, the above “coloring” refers to transmitting only the light of the color component as an alternative.

  By the way, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, in the method of detecting a spot irradiated by a laser pointer from an image captured by a camera, the color of the laser pointer is similar to the color and brightness of the projected image in terms of accuracy. In some cases, there is a problem that the laser pointer cannot be detected depending on the projection contents.

  To solve this problem, in the single-plate DLP method, the irradiation point image of the pointing device is photographed by the camera in synchronization with the color development period, and the color information of the irradiation point photographed by the camera is detected. A method of detecting a pointer with high accuracy without being affected by a signal is conceivable. In this method, a light irradiation point such as a laser pointer in a projection image is accurately detected by a single projector apparatus.

  On the other hand, in multi-projection projection using a plurality of projector apparatuses, blending processing is performed to make the joints inconspicuous by overlapping the projection screens of the projectors.

  In this case, using the above technique, even if the projection device overlaps the projection screen and the projection point image of the pointing device is photographed by the camera in synchronization with the section where the specific color is developed in one projector device, It will be confused with the color projected from the projector. For this reason, it becomes difficult to accurately detect an irradiation image in a region where a plurality of captured images overlap.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image projection apparatus that accurately detects an irradiation image in a region where a plurality of captured images overlap.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an image projection system according to the present invention is configured to project an input image on a predetermined projection plane in a time-division manner for each of a plurality of color components, and at least the projection means projects the projected image onto the projection plane. An imaging unit that captures the input image and another image projected from the other device onto the projection plane, and the own apparatus side synchronization signal generated based on the time division timing for each color component in the projection unit to the other device Synchronization signal output means for outputting, synchronization signal input means for inputting another apparatus side synchronization signal generated based on time division timing for each color component when another image is projected from another apparatus, and synchronization signal input means Control means for controlling the time division timing for each color component in the projection means so as to synchronize with the other apparatus side synchronization signal when the other apparatus side synchronization signal inputted by the apparatus differs from the own apparatus side synchronization signal. With features That.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately detect an irradiation image in a region where a plurality of captured images overlap.

1 is an overview of a multi-projection system using two projectors in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram of the image projector in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic which shows an example of the optical engine mounted in the image projector in embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram of the color wheel mounted in the image projector in embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the color segment of the color wheel of FIG. 4, and a detection color. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship between each segment of the said color wheel, and projection light color. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship with the projection light with respect to 1 period of the color wheel at the time of multi projection. It is the schematic which shows the connection structure at the time of the multi-projection by two image projectors in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the process sequence in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship with the projection light with respect to 1 period in case the color wheel of two image projectors synchronizes in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the image projector in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining an example of the synchronizing signal embedded in the projection image in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a general-view figure of the multi-projection system by two projectors in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining the synchronous signal determination area | region in the imaging area in 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a general-view figure of the multi-projection system by three projectors in 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

  An image projection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment as long as the gist of the present invention is not exceeded. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or it corresponds, The duplication description is simplified thru | or abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  A schematic configuration of a multi-projection system using two projectors as image projection apparatuses according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This figure is an example in which an image is projected on a screen as a projection surface by multi-projection using two projectors, and a red irradiation point is pointed to the projected image by a laser pointer.

  It should be noted that two or more image projection apparatuses constituting the multi-projection system in the present embodiment are referred to as the own apparatus or another apparatus for the sake of convenience so that the flow of input / output of the synchronization signal can be understood. In the following description, for example, the side that outputs the synchronization signal generated based on the time division timing for each color component in the projection unit to another image projection apparatus is regarded as the own apparatus for convenience, and the synchronization output at this time is output. For the sake of convenience, the signal is used as the own apparatus side synchronization signal.

  On the other hand, for example, another image projection apparatus that receives the own apparatus side synchronization signal is referred to as another apparatus for convenience, and a synchronization signal output from the other apparatus to the own apparatus is referred to as other apparatus synchronization signal for convenience. That is, the own device and the other device, and the own device side synchronization signal and the other device side synchronization signal are merely expressions for convenience of explanation. For example, in a multi-projection system including two image projection apparatuses, it is not limited that only one of them is its own apparatus or another apparatus.

  The two projectors are connected to a PC (Personal Computer), and a video signal is output from the PC to each projector. For connection between the PC and each projector, for example, a wired network using a video cable such as HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) (registered trademark) or a wireless network such as Wi-Fi is used.

  In the multi-projection, for example, by performing a blending process in which a projection image of the projector A and a part of the projection images projected from the projector B onto the projection surface are overlapped, a joint between the portions where the two projection images are overlapped is performed. It is inconspicuous.

  The projector A and the projector B capture a projection image with a built-in camera, respectively, and specifically detect data of any of RGB channels, for example, as color information of an irradiation point captured by the camera. Thereby, the irradiation point is accurately detected without being affected by the video signal.

  On the other hand, as described above, it is difficult to specifically detect the color information of the irradiation point at the portion where the two projected images overlap. Therefore, the configuration of the present embodiment shown below makes it possible to specifically detect an irradiation point even in a portion where two projection images overlap.

[First Embodiment]
A functional block configuration of the image projection apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The image projection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a video signal input processing unit 11, a video processing unit 12, a control unit 13, a DMD (Digital Mirror Device) (registered trademark) 14, a light source driving unit 15, and a light source 16. And a color wheel 17 and an index detection sensor 18.

  In addition, the image projection apparatus 1 includes a synchronization signal input unit (hereinafter referred to as “IN”) 19, a synchronization signal output unit (hereinafter referred to as “OUT”) 20, an imaging device 21, and an imaging signal input processing unit 22. The irradiation point detection unit 23, the projective transformation processing unit 24, and the pointer generation unit 25 are provided.

  The video signal input processing unit 11 receives input of digital signals such as HDMI, analog signals such as VGA (Video Graphics Array) and component signals, which constitute an input image. The video signal input processing unit 11 performs processing for processing video such as RGB and YPbPr signals according to the input signal.

  The video signal input processing unit 11 converts the digital signal into a bit format defined by the video processing unit 12 described later according to the number of bits of the input signal. In addition, the video signal input processing unit 11 performs a digital to analog converter (DAC) process that digitally samples an analog signal, and inputs an RGB or YPbPr format signal to the video processing unit 12.

  The video processing unit 12 performs digital image processing or the like according to the input signal. Specifically, appropriate image processing is performed according to a scaler function such as contrast, brightness, saturation, hue, RGB gain, sharpness, enlargement / reduction, or the characteristics of the control unit 13. Note that the video processing unit 12 may generate an image signal of an arbitrarily designated or registered layout.

  The control unit 13 is a control unit that determines driving conditions of each device such as a DMD 14, a light source driving unit 15, and a color wheel 17, which will be described later, and drives and controls these devices. For example, the control unit 13 receives an input signal after digital image processing. Further, the control unit 13 issues a shooting instruction to the imaging device 21 described later in accordance with the synchronization signal of the color wheel 17.

  The DMD 14 is a micromirror array that selects light extraction. The micromirror array is composed of a plurality of micromirrors whose positions in the inclination direction can be switched between two angles of an on position and an off position, respectively, and can form a rectangular mirror surface as a whole.

  The light source driving unit 15 controls the driving current of the light source 16. The light source 16 emits white light toward the color wheel 17. The color wheel 17 colors the white light emitted from the light source 16 in accordance with an input signal from the control unit 13.

  The color wheel 17 includes a black seal serving as an index for detecting rotation of the color wheel 17 and an index detection sensor 18 for detecting the black seal on a holder that holds the color wheel 17. Then, a synchronization signal is generated based on the Index timing detected by the Index detection sensor 18.

  That is, the color wheel 17 is means for time-dividing the input image for each of a plurality of color components. The shooting shutter timing of the imaging device 21 can be controlled in accordance with the synchronization signal of the color wheel 17. Note that a projection unit is a unit that includes a color wheel 17 and projects an input image time-divided for each of a plurality of color components onto a projection plane. Is a component.

  On the other hand, when a captured image is input from the imaging device 21, the imaging signal input processing unit 22 performs shading correction, Bayer conversion, color correction, and the like on the captured image to generate an RGB signal. The imaging device 21 is an imaging unit that captures an input image projected onto the projection plane and an input image projected onto the projection plane from another device by the projection unit. In addition, the input image projected on a projection surface from another apparatus is set as another image for convenience of description.

  The irradiation point detector 23 detects the coordinates of the irradiation point irradiated on the projection surface using a laser pointer or the like. The detected irradiation point coordinates (x ′, y ′) are subjected to projective conversion by the projective conversion processing unit 24 and converted to coordinates (x, y) on the video signal of the irradiation point.

  The pointer generation unit 25 generates a pointer signal at coordinates (x, y). The pointer signal may be, for example, a circle with a radius of n pixels drawn around the coordinates (x, y), or may be generated by an arbitrary generation method such as a pointer image registered in advance.

  The video processing unit 12 superimposes the video signal generated by the pointer generation unit 25 on the video signal from HDMI or the like, performs arbitrary image processing, and then outputs a control signal to the control unit 13. Thereby, a projection image on which the pointer image is superimposed is projected.

  OUT20 is a synchronization signal output means for outputting the own apparatus side synchronization signal generated based on the time division timing for each color component in the projection means to another apparatus. Specifically, for example, the OUT 20 outputs the synchronization signal of the color wheel 17 output from the control unit 13 to the other projector 30.

  IN19 is a synchronization signal input means for inputting another apparatus side synchronization signal generated based on the time division timing for each color component when another image is projected from another apparatus. Specifically, for example, the IN 19 inputs the synchronization signal of the color wheel 17 input from the other projector 30 to the control unit 13.

  The control unit 13 controls the time division timing for each color component in the projection unit so as to synchronize with the other apparatus side synchronization signal when the other apparatus side synchronization signal input by IN19 is different from the own apparatus side synchronization signal.

  Next, an optical engine unit mounted on a projector as an example of an image projection apparatus according to the present embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIG. The optical engine unit includes, for example, an illumination unit 100 and a projection unit 200. The illumination unit 100 includes, for example, a light source unit 110 that is a lamp unit, a color wheel 120, a light tunnel 130, a relay lens 140, a DMD 150, a plane mirror 160, and a concave mirror 170.

  The light emitted from the light source means 110 passes through the color wheel 120, then passes through the light tunnel 130, is reflected using a plurality of mirrors such as the relay lens 140, the plane mirror 160, and the concave mirror 170, and enters the DMD 150. The The DMD 150 selects light to be output to the projection unit 200 by switching on / off the micromirror according to the input signal.

  Next, the color wheel 17 will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, for example, there are seven filter segments of cyan (Cy), white (W), red (R), magenta (M), yellow (Y), green (G), and blue (B). To do. Hereinafter, the filter segment is abbreviated as a segment or a color segment.

  Next, the relationship between the color segment and the detected color will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 shows the correlation between the seven segments of the color wheel 17 and the camera-captured image obtained when each segment is displayed on the projection plane, that is, RGB data. The control unit 13 performs control to transmit light in units of time to a plurality of color regions of the color wheel 17 determined by the light color of the input image data, thereby realizing the color of the image data.

  For example, in the red (R) segment, the transmittance of R light, that is, the wavelength component is large, and the RGB data occupies most of the RGB data, and the transmittance of green (G) and blue (B) is small. The light is limited.

  Similarly, in the green (G) segment, the data of G occupies most and the wavelength components of blue (B) and red (R) are limited. Similarly, in the blue (B) segment, the data of B occupies most and the wavelength components of green (G) and red (R) are limited.

  In the secondary color cyan (Cy) segment, magenta (M) segment, and yellow (Y) segment, blue (B) and green (G) light, blue (B) and red (R) light, respectively. , And green (G) and red (R) light. In addition, the white (W) segment of the tertiary color transmits all the RGB light.

  Next, the relationship between the seven segments of the color wheel 17 and the projected light color will be described with reference to FIG. While the color wheel 17 rotates once, light from the light source 16 is irradiated on the entire circumferential direction of the seven color segments. The light color is a concept including both the light color of the lamp itself of the light source 16 and the color visually recognizable from the light projected from the apparatus.

  In the figure, the section of the corresponding period indicated by the solid arrow indicates that the image signal is projected through the segment of the corresponding color wheel 17 in the emission color. For example, if attention is paid to the projected light color Red, components classified as Red are R segment, M segment, Y segment, and W segment.

  On the other hand, the section indicated by the broken arrow of Timing A is an area where the projection light color corresponding to the Red video signal does not emit light reliably. This section is a blank period for convenience. For example, attention is paid to sections corresponding to the G segment, the B segment, and the Cy segment of the color wheel 17 corresponding to the section of Timing A. In these sections, even if the projection light color is Red, an optical image corresponding to the video signal is not actually projected, and therefore it is easy to detect even the red irradiation point irradiated from the laser pointer.

  That is, since the red irradiation point becomes remarkable in the section of Timing A, when the red irradiation point is detected, it can be detected by imaging using the imaging device 21 in Timing A. Similarly, a green irradiation point can be detected in Timing B, and a blue irradiation point can be detected in Timing C. Thus, there are colors that are easy to detect depending on the timing, and it is possible to detect a plurality of irradiation points simultaneously by effectively using each Timing.

  Next, the relationship between the projection light and one color wheel cycle during multi-projection will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a description will be given using an example in which multi-projection is performed using the two projectors A and B in FIG. 1 described above.

  Here, the color wheel 17 of each projector is not synchronized. For this reason, there is a deviation in the light emission timing of the corresponding segment between the projection light color of projector A and the projection light color of projector B. For this reason, regarding the portion where the projected images overlap, even if the projector A performs camera shooting with Timing A, the Red component included in the projection light of the projector B is also shot. As a result, the red irradiation point and the red of the projection light overlap and cannot be detected. The same applies to imaging at Timing B and Timing C, and the same applies to projector B.

  A connection configuration at the time of multi-projection by two projectors as image projection apparatuses in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the projector A and the projector B are connected using a synchronization cable. At this time, the synchronization signal output terminal of the projector A and the synchronization signal input terminal of the projector B may be connected by a synchronization cable. Thereby, the synchronization signal of the color wheel 17 of the projector A is input to the projector B.

  In the projector B, the color wheel 17 of each projector is synchronized by controlling the rotation speed of the color wheel 17 so as to be synchronized with the input synchronization signal of the projector A. The synchronization signal output terminal in FIG. 8 is a physical means included in the above-described synchronization signal output means. Similarly, the synchronization signal input terminal in FIG. 8 is a physical means included in the above-described synchronization signal input means.

  Next, a processing procedure in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 13 determines whether or not a synchronization signal is input from another device at IN19 (step S100). When the control unit 13 determines that there is an input of a synchronization signal (S100, Yes), the control unit 13 then determines whether the input synchronization signal and the color wheel 17 in its own device are synchronized. Judgment is made based on the comparison with the synchronizing signal of the wheel 17 (step S101).

  Next, when the input synchronization signal and the synchronization signal of the color wheel 17 are different, that is, when not synchronized (S101, No), the projection unit projects a black image that covers the entire projection surface (S102). On the other hand, when the input synchronization signal matches the synchronization signal of the color wheel 17 (Yes in step S101), the synchronization process is unnecessary, and thus the process ends.

  If the rotation of the color wheel 17 is changed in order to synchronize the input synchronization signal with the color wheel 17, phenomena such as color shift and flickering of the projected image occur. According to the present embodiment, for example, by projecting a black image, it is possible to prevent color deviation and flickering of the projected image. This is because by projecting the black image, all the micromirrors of the DMD 14 are turned off, and light is not output to the projection unit. Note that the image is not limited to a black image, and any image can be used as long as it can prevent color shift, flicker, and the like of the projected image.

  Thereafter, the control unit 13 controls the rotation of the color wheel 17 so as to be synchronized with the input synchronization signal (step S103).

  When the synchronization signal of the color wheel 17 matches the input synchronization signal (S104, Yes), the projection unit cancels the projection of the black image and resumes the projection of the input image (S105). On the other hand, when the synchronization signal of the color wheel 17 does not coincide with the input synchronization signal (S104, No), the rotation control of the color wheel 17 is executed again (step S103).

  For example, when the color wheels 17 of two projectors are synchronized according to this embodiment, the relationship with the projection light for one period will be described with reference to FIG.

  When multi-projection is performed by two projectors A and B, if the color wheel 17 of each projector is synchronized, the light emission timing in the corresponding segment with the projection light color of the projector A and the projection light color of the projector B Match. For this reason, even in a portion where the projected images overlap, the section of Timing A is an area where the emission color of Red does not emit light reliably.

  Since the red irradiation point becomes remarkable in the section of Timing A, when the red irradiation point is detected, the irradiation point can be detected by photographing at Timing A. Similarly, a green irradiation point can be detected at Timing B, and a blue irradiation point can be detected at Timing C. The same applies to the projector B.

[Second Embodiment]
A functional block configuration of the image projection device 50 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above is omitted. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the control unit 13 embeds the synchronization signal of the color wheel 17 in its own apparatus into an image signal constituting an input image projected onto the projection plane by the projection unit. In the present embodiment, embedding the synchronization signal in the input image is included in the concept of outputting the synchronization signal, and the control unit 13 assumes the function of the synchronization signal output unit.

  Specifically, the control unit 13 controls the DMD 14, the light source 16, and the color wheel 17 so that the synchronization signal of the color wheel 17 is embedded in the projection signal of the input image.

  The synchronization signal detection unit 51 is a synchronization signal detection unit that detects whether another device-side synchronization signal is embedded in another image captured by the imaging device 21. The synchronization signal detection unit 51 is a conceptual configuration included in the synchronization signal input unit. The other apparatus side synchronization signal detected by the synchronization signal detection unit 51 is input to the control unit 13. And the control part 13 controls rotation of the color wheel 17 so that it may synchronize with the input synchronizing signal.

  According to the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, there is no need to provide IN19 and OUT20 which are physical configurations. Therefore, the system configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced accordingly.

  An example of the synchronization signal embedded in the projection signal in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a color wheel at the time of image projection is exemplified by a color wheel having a 7-segment structure of Cy-W-R-M-Y-G-B as shown in FIG. 4 and an index set between Cy and W. An example of a projection signal corresponding to the rotation of the wheel 17 is shown.

  As shown in this figure, every time the color wheel 17 makes one rotation, a synchronization signal generated from the Index is embedded immediately before the W section. Specifically, for example, the W section immediately after detecting the synchronization signal of the color wheel 17 is set to the off period, and no projection signal is output. Then, after the time t1 has elapsed, the synchronization signal is output for t2 hours, thereby embedding the synchronization signal in the W section.

  However, if the synchronization signal is embedded in the W section every time it rotates, the brightness of the projected image becomes dark. For this reason, for example, by embedding the synchronization signal once every N rotations, the influence on the brightness of the projected image can be minimized. Here, the synchronization signal is embedded at a rate of once every two rotations, but it goes without saying that this is an example.

  An outline of the operation using the multi-projection system with two projectors in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, after the apparatus is activated, when the synchronization data is not included in the image data captured by the imaging apparatus 21, the synchronization signal of the color wheel 17 is embedded in the projection signal as described above. On the other hand, when a synchronization signal is included in the shooting data by the imaging device 21, the synchronization signal of the shooting data is synchronized with the rotation of the color wheel 17 in the own device. That is, the projector activated first becomes the synchronization signal output side, and the projector activated later becomes the synchronization signal input side.

  In the following description, for example, it is assumed that the projector A is a projector activated first. The projector A starts projecting the input image after being activated, and at the same time checks whether the synchronization signal is embedded in the photographing data by photographing with the camera that is the imaging device 21. When the projector B has not been activated yet or has been activated, the synchronization signal is not output from the projector B, and therefore, the synchronization signal is not included in the shooting data of the projector A. Therefore, the projector A embeds the synchronization signal of the color wheel 17 in the projection image.

  On the other hand, the projector B also starts projecting the input image after being activated, and at the same time checks whether the synchronization signal is embedded in the photographed data by photographing with the camera. As described above, since the input image in which the synchronization signal is embedded is projected from the projector A, the shooting signal of the projector B includes the synchronization signal output by the projector A. The projector B controls the rotation of the color wheel 17 so as to synchronize with the synchronization signal detected by the camera, and synchronizes with the synchronization signal of the color wheel 17 in the projector A. Thereby, the color wheel 17 of each projector can be synchronized.

[Third Embodiment]
A configuration in which the synchronization signal determination area is provided in the imaging area in the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the detection of the synchronization signal in the shooting data from the camera is performed only on the left side of the imaging area as shown in FIG. 14, for example, and the left area is set as the synchronization signal determination area.

  In the present embodiment, for example, a case where multi-projection is performed using three projectors as illustrated in FIG. 15 will be described. It is assumed that the synchronization signal of each color wheel 17 is embedded in the projection image projected by each projector.

  Focusing on the projection image by the projector A, since there is no adjacent projection image on the left side of the projection image by the projector A, the synchronization signal is not embedded in the photographing data by the camera. In this case, the projector A does not need to perform the synchronization process.

  On the other hand, when paying attention to the projection image of the projector B, a part of the projection image of the projector A overlaps the left side of the projection image of the projector B, and a part of the projection image of the projector C overlaps the right side of the projection image of the projector B. Yes. Here, as described above, in this embodiment, the detection of the synchronization signal in the shooting data by the camera is intended only for the left side. For this reason, in the projector B, only the synchronization signal output from the projector A is detected.

  Then, the projector B controls the rotation of the color wheel 17 so as to be synchronized with the synchronization signal of the color wheel 17 in the projector A detected by the camera.

  Similarly, in the projector C, only the synchronization signal output from the projector B is detected, and the rotation of the color wheel 17 is controlled so as to synchronize with the synchronization signal of the color wheel 17 in the detected projector B.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the synchronization signal detection unit 51 in each projector detects whether or not the other apparatus side synchronization signal is embedded in the area where the other image is displayed on at least one end side of the input image. . According to this embodiment, the color wheel 17 of three or more projectors can be synchronized regardless of the order of activation.

  Note that the synchronization signal detection area may be divided into four, and the detection area may be synchronized with the left projector when detected on the left side, and with the upper projector when detected on the upper side, and the detection areas may be prioritized. Thus, not only in multi-projection in which the left and right ends of a plurality of projection images are overlapped in the horizontal direction as in the third embodiment, but also in multi-projection in which the upper and lower ends are overlapped in the vertical direction and in both vertical and horizontal directions. The color wheel of all the projects can be synchronized.

  Each of the above-described embodiments is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, each process in the image projection apparatus according to the present embodiment described above can be executed using hardware, software, or a combined configuration of both.

  In the case of executing processing using software, it is possible to install and execute a program in which a processing sequence is recorded in a memory in a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware. Alternatively, the program can be installed and executed on a general-purpose computer capable of executing various processes.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 50 Image projector 11 Video signal input process part 12 Video process part 13 Control part 14 DMD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Light source drive part 16 Light source 17 Color wheel 18 Index detection sensor 19 IN
20 OUT
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Imaging device 22 Imaging signal input process part 23 Irradiation point detection part 24 Projection conversion process part 25 Pointer production | generation part 51 Synchronization signal detection part

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-271675 Japanese Patent No. 3901185

Claims (7)

Projection means for time-dividing the input image into a plurality of color components and projecting the input image onto a predetermined projection plane;
Imaging means for imaging at least the input image projected onto the projection plane by the projection means and another image projected onto the projection plane from another device;
Synchronization signal output means for outputting the own apparatus side synchronization signal generated based on the time division timing for each color component in the projection means to the other apparatus;
Synchronization signal input means for inputting another apparatus side synchronization signal generated based on time division timing for each color component when the other image is projected from the other apparatus;
When the other apparatus side synchronization signal inputted by the synchronization signal input means is different from the own apparatus side synchronization signal, the time division timing for each color component in the projection means is set so as to be synchronized with the other apparatus side synchronization signal. Control means for controlling;
An image projection apparatus comprising:   The image projection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the synchronization signal output unit embeds the own apparatus side synchronization signal in an input image projected onto the projection plane by the projection unit.   The synchronization signal input means includes synchronization signal detection means for detecting whether the other apparatus side synchronization signal is embedded in the other image captured by the imaging means. Image projection device.   The said synchronizing signal detection means detects whether the said other apparatus side synchronizing signal is embedded in the area | region where the said other image is displayed on the at least one end side of the said input image. Image projection device.   2. The projection unit projects a black image covering all the projection plane when the other apparatus side synchronization signal inputted by the synchronization signal input unit and the own apparatus side synchronization signal are different. 5. The image projection apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 4. A step of time-dividing an input image in the apparatus for each of a plurality of color components and projecting the input image on a predetermined projection plane;
Imaging at least the input image projected onto the projection plane and another image projected onto the projection plane from another device;
Outputting the own apparatus side synchronization signal generated based on the time division timing for each color component to the other apparatus;
A step of inputting another device side synchronization signal generated based on the time division timing for each color component when the other image is projected from the other device;
Controlling the time division timing for each color component in the own device so as to be synchronized with the other device side synchronization signal when the other device side synchronization signal and the own device side synchronization signal are different;
An image projection method comprising: A multi-projection system comprising two or more image projection devices,
Each of the two or more image projection devices is
Projection means for time-dividing the input image into a plurality of color components and projecting the input image onto a predetermined projection plane;
Imaging means for imaging at least the input image projected onto the projection plane by the projection means and another image projected onto the projection plane from another device;
Synchronization signal output means for outputting the own apparatus side synchronization signal generated based on the time division timing for each color component in the projection means to the other apparatus;
Synchronization signal input means for inputting another apparatus side synchronization signal generated based on time division timing for each color component when the other image is projected from the other apparatus;
When the other apparatus side synchronization signal inputted by the synchronization signal input means is different from the own apparatus side synchronization signal, the time division timing for each color component in the projection means is set so as to be synchronized with the other apparatus side synchronization signal. Control means for controlling;
A multi-projection system comprising:

Images