JP3315320B2 - LCD projector - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid crystal projector for enlarging and projecting an image of a subject.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A projector capable of displaying a large document when giving a presentation to a large number of people is widely used. In particular, with the progress of electronic devices in recent years, various small-sized and low-cost liquid crystal projectors for enlarging and projecting a subject displayed on a liquid crystal display panel have been provided. In such a liquid crystal projector, a subject such as a document is imaged by a CCD and enlarged and projected.
There are a type having a subject imaging mechanism, and a type for directly inputting an image data signal of a subject from a personal computer or a video.

However, in presentations using a liquid crystal projector, an image input from a personal computer or a video is often used in combination with an image enlarged and projected while capturing an image of a subject on the spot. In such a case,
The two types of liquid crystal projectors described above are used side by side, or the two types of liquid crystal projectors are used interchangeably when an image to be enlarged and projected is directly input as image data and when an object is imaged on the spot. And so on.

In order to solve such inconveniences, an image data input unit for directly inputting image data from outside the liquid crystal projector, such as a personal computer or a video, and an image pickup unit such as a CCD for picking up an image of a subject are provided. There is also provided a multi-input type liquid crystal projector.

[0005]

However, the conventional multi-input type liquid crystal projector as described above has a CCD, which is an image pickup unit for picking up an image of a subject, provided inside a main body of the projector. A sheet-like subject such as a document is placed on a stage on the main body as described above, and the subject is imaged after closing a cover that covers the stage. For this reason, when the subject has a three-dimensional object, it is difficult to take an image. In particular, it has not been possible to take an image of a container or the like containing a liquid and perform enlarged projection.

[0006] Further, since the subject is mounted on the stage on the main body and enlarged and projected, for example, in the case of a liquid crystal projector capable of enlarging and projecting an object up to A4 size, the size of the stage becomes larger than A4 size. The body size is inevitably larger than the A4 size. For this reason, there is also a problem that the size of the liquid crystal projector increases.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has an image data input section for directly inputting image data from the outside, and an image pickup section for picking up an image of a subject. An object of the present invention is to provide a small and lightweight liquid crystal projector that can easily take an image.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a liquid crystal projector according to claim 1 is provided with a door which is opened outward on an outer wall of a projector main body and has a mirror fixed on an inner surface thereof. An image of a subject placed away from the projector body is captured by the image capturing means built in the projector body via the mirror, and an image signal obtained from the image capturing means is input to a liquid crystal display panel to form an image of the subject. It can be projected.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a light source for illumination is installed on the inner surface side of the door portion, and when the light source is opened, illumination light from the light source is given to a subject placed on a table on which a projector main body is installed. The image of the sheet can be picked up by an image pickup means via the mirror.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an arm rotatable to an imaging position protruding from a side surface of the projector main body is mounted on the projector main body, and imaging means is incorporated at a tip end of the arm to rotate the arm to the imaging position. By moving the object, an image of the object placed away from the projector body is taken by the image pickup means, and an image signal obtained from the image pickup means is input to a liquid crystal display panel so that an image of the object can be projected. It is. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the light source for providing illumination light to the subject is built in the arm.

[0011]

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram simply showing the configuration of the liquid crystal projector of the present invention. The liquid crystal projector 2 of the present invention includes an imaging unit 3 for imaging a subject, a projection unit 4 for enlarging and projecting the subject, an image data input unit 5 for directly inputting image data to be projected from the outside,
And an image signal processing circuit 6 for processing image data from the image data input unit 5, and a projector main body 7 covering these parts.

The imaging unit 3 includes a well-known CCD module 1
1, an imaging lens 12, and a light source 13. Light source 1
3 illuminates a subject 21 such as a document to be enlarged and projected, and emits light from the subject illuminated by the light source 13 to an imaging lens 12.
To form an image on the CCD module 11. The layout of the light source 13 and the imaging lens 12 on the liquid crystal projector 2 will be described later in detail.

The projection unit 4 includes a liquid crystal display panel 14, a projection lens 15, and a projection light source 16. The liquid crystal display panel 14 is a transmissive liquid crystal display panel using transparent electrodes. When illuminated by a projection light source 16 from the back, it becomes projection light including a subject image displayed on the panel. This projection light is magnified by the projection lens 15, and the subject image is magnified and projected on the screen 22 and the like.

The image data input section 5 is for inputting a video signal to be a subject from, for example, a personal computer, a video deck, a television, or the like, and is directly connected to these external devices 23 by a cable. Then, the image signal processing circuit 6
The image data of the subject captured by the CCD module 11 and the image data directly input from the image data input unit 5 are processed, and the image of the subject is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 14.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing the liquid crystal projector of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the state of use of the projector. A door 17 that can be opened and closed is provided from the side surface to the upper surface of the projector main body 7 of the liquid crystal projector 2. The door 17 is attached to the upper surface of the projector body 7 by a shaft 18, and when projecting an object, the door 1
The subject 21 is placed below the opened door part 17 by opening the center part 8 upward. Inside the projector body 7,
An imaging lens 12 is provided, and is exposed by opening a door 17. The CCD module 11 is provided at an image forming point inside the imaging lens 12.

Light sources 13 are provided near both sides of the door portion 17. The light source 13 is, as described above,
The light source has a built-in thin and light brightness almost the same as the thickness of the door portion 17. On the inner surface of the door 17, a mirror 19 is spread. This mirror 19
The subject light from the subject 21 illuminated by the light source 13 is reflected in the direction of the imaging lens 12, and the subject light enters the CCD module 11 via the imaging lens 12.

A projection lens 15 is provided on the front surface of the projector body 7. Below this, a main switch 9 and the aforementioned image data input unit 5 are provided. An input connector 24 from a personal computer or the like is connected to the image data input unit 5. The liquid crystal projector 2 is driven by a general 100V power supply, and a connector of a power cord (not shown) is inserted into an outlet for use.

With such a configuration, the subject 21 placed under the door 17 is illuminated by the light source 13. The light from the subject 21 is reflected by the mirror 19 on the inner surface of the door 17.
And enters the imaging lens 12. Then, an image is formed on the CCD module 11. Image data from the CCD module 11 or image data directly input from the image data input unit 5 is subjected to data processing by an image signal processing circuit 6. Then, an image of the subject is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 14. The image of the subject displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 14 is illuminated from behind by the projection light source 16, the projection light including the subject image is enlarged by the projection lens 15, and the subject image is enlarged and projected on the screen 22 or the like.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. When using such a liquid crystal projector 2,
First, the projection lens 15 of the liquid crystal projector 2 faces the screen 22, and the liquid crystal projector 2 is installed at an appropriate distance from the screen 22. For example, when enlarging and projecting an image of a subject, the door 17 on the side surface of the projector body 7 is opened upward by 45 °, and the subject to be enlarged and projected is placed immediately below the opened door 17.

When the main switch 9 is turned on, the door 1
The light sources 16 provided on both sides of the light source 7 are turned on, and the subject 21 is illuminated. Then, the subject light including the image of the subject 21 is reflected by the mirror 19 of the door 17 and enters the imaging lens 12, and the subject image is formed on the CCD module 11.

The CCD module 11 sends the subject light as an electric signal to the image signal processing circuit 6, and performs data processing for displaying an image on the liquid crystal display panel 14. The image signal processing circuit 6 sends an image display signal to the liquid crystal display panel 14, and an image of the subject 21 is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 14.

The image of the subject displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 14 is illuminated from behind by a projection light source 16. And
The projection light including the subject image enters the projection lens 15 and is enlarged, and the subject image is enlarged and projected on the screen 22.

As described above, when the subject 21 is enlarged and displayed on the screen 22 while taking an image of the subject 21, the subject 21 can be easily viewed directly below the door portion 17 without being placed on the stage or the like in the opposite direction. The object image can be enlarged and projected simply by placing the image on the object. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, even if the subject is a three-dimensional object, the subject can be easily imaged without the trouble of placing it upside down.

Since the subject light of the subject to be enlarged and projected is reflected by the reflective material 19 on the inner surface of the open door 17 and is incident on the CCD module 11, a stage or the like for imaging the subject is required. In addition, in combination with the fact that the light source 16 for illuminating the subject is integrated with the door portion 17, when stored, it becomes extremely compact as shown in FIG. 3 and can be easily carried.

On the other hand, when an image signal is directly input from a personal computer, a television, or the like to perform enlarged projection, for example, an input connector 24 drawn from an image output circuit of the personal computer is connected to the image data input unit 5. Then, when the main switch 9 is turned on, an image of the subject 21 is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 14 by the input image data, and an image corresponding to the input image data is enlarged and projected on the screen 22.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the liquid crystal projector of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of the embodiment when it is stored, and FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of the embodiment when it is used. One end of the liquid crystal projector 32 is rotatably mounted on the upper surface of the projector main body 37 inside the projector main body 37, and the other end of the liquid crystal projector 32 has an imaging head 47.
The arm 48 provided with is provided. A setup button 40 is provided near the arm 48.

The arm 48 pivots between a storage position shown in FIG. 5 and an imaging position shown in FIG. 6, and in the storage position, the entire arm 48 including the imaging head 47 is It is buried and stored in the projector main body 37 so as not to protrude. Then, when the setup button 40 is pressed, the arm 48 is rotated to the imaging position by the urging of the urging member (not shown). Imaging head 4
The arm 48 including the projection 7 protrudes outside the projector main body 37 at the imaging position.
The subject 21 is placed immediately below the image 7 and an image is taken.

The image pickup head 47 is provided with an image pickup lens 42, and forms a subject image on a CCD module (not shown) provided in the image pickup head 47. Also,
A ring light 43 as a light source is provided around the imaging lens 42, and illuminates the subject 21 such as a document to be enlarged and projected.

A projection lens 45 is provided on the front surface of the projector main body 37, and enlarges and projects a subject image displayed on a liquid crystal display panel (not shown) provided in the projector main body 37 on a screen or the like. A main switch 49 is provided on the side of the projection lens 45.

An image data input unit 35 for connecting an input connector 44 for directly inputting an image signal from a personal computer or a television is provided on a side surface of the projector main body 37. The lower part of the liquid crystal projector 22
Is provided with a power cord 30 for supplying power to the power supply, and is used by being plugged into an outlet of a 100 V power supply.

The configuration of the liquid crystal display panel and the projection light source as the projection unit, the CCD module as the imaging unit, the image signal processing circuit and the like in the projector main body 37 are the same as those of the liquid crystal projector of the first embodiment. Is the same as

The operation of the second embodiment as described above will be described. When using the liquid crystal projector 32, first, the projection lens 45 of the liquid crystal projector 32 is opposed to a screen (not shown), and the liquid crystal projector 32 is installed at an appropriate distance from the screen. And
For example, when performing enlarged projection while imaging a subject,
When the setup button 40 on the upper surface of the projector main body 37 is pressed, the entire arm 48 including the imaging head 47 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
Is rotated to the image pickup position protruding outside the projector main body 37 as shown in FIG.

Next, the subject 21 to be enlarged and projected is placed immediately below the imaging head 47. And the main switch 49
When is turned on, the ring light 43 provided around the imaging head 47 is turned on, and the subject 21 is illuminated. Then, the subject light including the image of the subject 21 is
And a subject image is formed on the CCD module.

When the liquid crystal display panel on which the image of the subject 21 is displayed is illuminated from behind by a projection light source, the projection light including the subject image enters the projection lens 45 and is enlarged, and the subject image is displayed on the screen. Is enlarged and projected.

As described above, when the subject 21 is enlarged and displayed on the screen while capturing the image of the subject 21, the subject 21 can be easily viewed directly below the imaging head 47 without placing the subject 21 on a stage or the like in the opposite direction. Simply placing the camera allows the subject image to be enlarged and projected. Therefore, even if the subject is, for example, a three-dimensional object, the subject can be easily imaged without the trouble of placing it upside down.

When taking an image, the imaging head 47 is projected outside the projector main body 37, and the subject 21 is placed immediately below the imaging head 47 to take an image.
Since the entire arm 48 including the arm 7 is stored so as to be buried in the projector main body 37 so as not to protrude from the upper surface of the projector main body 37, a stage or the like for imaging a subject is not required. It is extremely compact and easily portable.

On the other hand, when an image signal is directly input from a personal computer, a television, or the like to perform enlarged projection, for example, an input connector 44 drawn from an image output circuit of the personal computer is connected to the image data input unit 35. When the main switch 49 is turned on while the arm 48 is in the storage position,
An image of the subject 21 is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel by the input image data, and an image corresponding to the input image data is enlarged and projected on a screen.

The liquid crystal projector of the present invention may be either a color type or a monochrome type. In the case of a color liquid crystal projector, a method of rotating a red, green, and blue film and inputting an image of each color is employed. At the time of capturing a monochrome image, the resolution may be increased. The CCD used may input an image by moving the CCD itself or rotating a mirror in order to keep the resolution high.

In each of the above embodiments, the light source is provided on the door or the imaging head.
The present invention is not limited to this, and may be provided at any position of the liquid crystal projector as long as the object can be illuminated. Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the liquid crystal projector is of a transmission type, but the present invention can be similarly applied to a reflection type liquid crystal projector.

[0040]

As described above in detail, according to the liquid crystal projector of the present invention, a door is provided on the outer wall of the projector main body, which is opened outward, and a mirror is fixed on the inner surface, and is separated from the projector main body. An image of the object placed is taken by the imaging means built in the projector body via the mirror, and an image signal obtained from the imaging means is input to a liquid crystal display panel so that the image of the object can be projected. Therefore, it is possible to provide a small and lightweight liquid crystal projector that has an image data input unit for directly inputting image data from the outside and an imaging unit for imaging a subject, and is easy to image a three-dimensional object. Will be possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view when a liquid crystal projector of the present invention is used.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram simply showing a configuration of a liquid crystal projector of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the liquid crystal projector of FIG. 1 when housed.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram when the liquid crystal projector of the present invention is used.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the liquid crystal projector according to the second embodiment when housed.

FIG. 6 is an external perspective view when the liquid crystal projector of the second embodiment is used.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 LCD projector 3 Imaging unit 4 Projection unit 5 Image data input unit 7 Projector body 11 CCD module 13 Light source 14 Liquid crystal display panel 17 Door unit 19 Mirror

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03B 21/00 G02F 1/13 505 H04N 5/74

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A liquid crystal projector for projecting an image displayed on a liquid crystal display panel on a screen by a projection lens in response to an input of an image signal, wherein the door is opened outward to an outer wall of a projector body and a mirror is fixed to the inner surface. So that an image of a subject is captured by an imaging unit built in the projector main body via the mirror, and an image signal obtained from the imaging unit is input to the liquid crystal display panel so that an image of the subject can be projected. A liquid crystal projector characterized by the following. 2. The door or the projector body has an opening.
It is possible to illuminate the subject inside the released door
2. The liquid crystal projector according to claim 1, wherein a light source is incorporated in the device, and illumination light from the light source is applied to the subject, so that an image of the document sheet can be taken by the image pickup means via the mirror.