JP4772162B2 - Video display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve user's convenience, by allowing a lamp to be appropriately operated according to a situation in which the apparatus is used. <P>SOLUTION: The image display apparatus turns on a first lamp or a second lamp to modulate and projects the illumination light emitted by switching on the one of these lamps. The video display apparatus includes: a manual switching mode in which one lamp selected by a user is used as a lighting lamp; and an automatic switching mode, in which the first and second lamps are automatically switched. Regardless of whether the current mode is set in the manual switching mode or in the automatic switching mode, even if the total running time of the turned-on lamp exceeds a predetermined reference time period of its working lifetime; the image display apparatus continues the lighting of the turned-on lamp and displays the notice, to the effect that the turned-on lamp has reached the end of its working lifetime. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lamp operation device that generates illumination light by switching a plurality of lamps, and an image display device equipped with the lamp operation device.

  Currently, projection-type image display devices (hereinafter referred to as “projectors”) that enlarge and project an image onto a screen have been commercialized and widely used. In such projectors, a lamp is generally used as a light source, and light from the lamp is modulated by a light modulation element and projected onto a screen.

In this case, if the lamp is turned off during the projection operation, the image display is interrupted. Such a problem can be solved by mounting a plurality of lamps on the projector (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When the lamp in use is burned out, the lamp used for projection is switched to another lamp. Thereby, the projection of the image can be resumed promptly.
JP 2003-75911 A

  Thus, when a plurality of lamps are mounted on the projector, how to operate each lamp according to the usage scene becomes a problem.

  For example, when a presentation is performed using a projector, an old lamp may be used during practice, and a newer lamp with high brightness may be used in actual production.

  Further, since the lamp deteriorates with use, it is necessary to use a plurality of lamps on average in order to display a projected image with the same image quality regardless of which lamp is used. On the other hand, when used on average in this way, the life of each lamp is cut off at substantially the same time, and there is a possibility that projection of an image may be hindered.

  Furthermore, the lamp has a lifetime, and if the lamp whose lifetime has expired is continuously used, problems such as damage to the lamp occur. Further, if a lamp that has deteriorated and is difficult to light is used continuously, the luminous efficiency is lowered, and the lamp may be damaged. This damage to the lamp is not desirable because it imposes a significant decrease in convenience because it imposes a burden on the user on removing the lamp fragments and the like. Therefore, the lamp needs to be used properly in consideration of the life and the progress of deterioration.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a video display device that can appropriately operate a lamp according to usage scenes, thereby improving user convenience. For the purpose.

  Means for solving the above-mentioned problem is that an image display device that projects either the first lamp or the second lamp and modulates the illumination light generated by lighting one lamp and projects the lamp selected by the user. A manual switching mode used as a lighting lamp and an automatic switching mode in which the first and second lamps are automatically switched are provided, regardless of whether the current mode is the manual switching mode or the automatic switching mode. If the accumulated usage time of the lamp that is currently turned on exceeds the predetermined life reference time, it is turned on and used until the user stops using it. The lamp is configured to continue to be lit and to indicate that the lamp in use is at the end of its life.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lamp operation device and an image display device that can smoothly manage the use of a lamp.

The effects and significance of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments.
However, the following embodiment is merely an example when the present invention is implemented, and the present invention is not limited to what is described in the following embodiment.

The figure which shows the external view of the projector which concerns on embodiment The figure which shows the structure of the optical engine which concerns on embodiment The perspective view which shows the structure of the mirror unit which concerns on embodiment The disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the lamp unit which concerns on embodiment. The partially expanded view which shows the structure of the lamp unit which concerns on embodiment The figure which shows the structure of the circuit board of the lamp unit which concerns on embodiment The perspective view explaining the attachment method of the lamp unit which concerns on embodiment The perspective view which shows the attachment state of the lamp unit which concerns on embodiment Partial sectional drawing which shows the attachment state of the lamp unit which concerns on embodiment The figure which shows the circuit structure of the projector which concerns on embodiment The figure which shows the system configuration | structure for lamp operation which concerns on embodiment The flowchart which shows the initialization process of the lamp management information which concerns on embodiment, and the update process of use accumulation time The flowchart which shows the switching setting process of the communication path which concerns on embodiment The flowchart which shows the malfunctioning determination process (at the time of starting) which concerns on embodiment The flowchart which shows the malfunctioning determination process (at the time of lighting) which concerns on embodiment The figure explaining the manual switching mode which concerns on embodiment The figure explaining automatic switching mode concerning an embodiment The figure explaining operation | movement of the automatic switching mode which concerns on embodiment Processing flowchart in life priority mode according to the embodiment Processing flowchart in continuous priority mode according to the embodiment The flowchart which shows the example of a change of the malfunctioning determination process which concerns on embodiment Processing flowchart showing an example of changing the life priority mode according to the embodiment Processing flowchart showing an example of changing the life priority mode according to the embodiment Process flowchart showing an example of changing the continuous priority mode according to the embodiment

  The configuration of the projector according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the projector according to the present embodiment has two lamp units as light sources of the illumination device.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram (outer perspective view) showing a configuration of a projector. The projector includes a cabinet 1. The cabinet 1 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is thin in the vertical direction and long in the front-rear direction, and an intake port 5 for taking outside air into the cabinet 1 is formed on a side surface thereof.

  In the cabinet 1, an optical engine 2, a projection lens 3, and a cooling device 4 are arranged. The optical engine 2 generates light (video light) modulated by the video signal. A projection lens 3 is attached to the optical engine 2, and a front portion of the projection lens 3 is exposed from the front surface of the cabinet 1. The image light generated by the optical engine 2 is projected by the projection lens 3 onto a screen surface arranged in front of the projector. The cooling device 4 takes in outside air from the intake port 5 and supplies this outside air to the optical engine 2 as cooling air.

  Such a projector is combined with a remote controller (remote controller) for user input. The user can perform various settings such as projection commands and lamp operation mode settings by operating the remote controller.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the optical engine. In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes an illumination device having two lamp units 10a and 10b and a mirror unit 10c. The lamp units 10a and 10b include a lamp made of an ultrahigh pressure mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, a xenon lamp, or the like. Light from the lamp units 10a and 10b is emitted as substantially parallel light by the action of the reflector. The configuration of the lamp units 10a and 10b will be described in detail later.

  The mirror unit 10c is provided with a mirror that can be rotated in parallel with the XZ plane of FIG. The mirror is rotated so that the light from the lamp unit 10a is guided to the fly eye integrator 11 when the lamp unit 10a is activated, and the light from the lamp unit 10b is guided to the fly eye integrator 11 when the lamp unit 10b is activated. The configuration of the mirror unit 10c will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  Light from the illumination device 10 is incident on a PBS (polarized beam splitter) array 12 and a condenser lens 13 via a fly eye integrator 11. The fly-eye integrator 11 includes first and second fly-eye lenses made up of eyelid-shaped lens groups, and the illumination device 10 has a uniform light amount distribution when entering the liquid crystal panels 18, 24, 33. An optical action is imparted to the light incident from.

  The PBS array 12 has a plurality of PBSs and half-wave plates arranged in an array, and aligns the polarization direction of the light incident from the fly eye integrator 11 in one direction. The condenser lens 13 condenses light incident from the PBS array 12. The light transmitted through the condenser lens 13 enters the dichroic mirror 14.

  The dichroic mirror 14 transmits only the light in the blue wavelength band (hereinafter referred to as “B light”) out of the light incident from the condenser lens 13, and the light in the red wavelength band (hereinafter referred to as “R light”). Reflects light in the green wavelength band (hereinafter referred to as “G light”). The B light transmitted through the dichroic mirror 14 is reflected by the mirror 15 and enters the condenser lens 16.

  The condenser lens 16 imparts an optical action to the B light so that the B light enters the liquid crystal panel 18 as substantially parallel light. The B light transmitted through the condenser lens 16 is incident on the liquid crystal panel 18 via the incident side polarizing plate 17. The liquid crystal panel 18 is driven according to the blue video signal, and modulates the B light according to the driving state. The B light modulated by the liquid crystal panel 18 is incident on the dichroic prism 20 via the emission side polarizing plate 19.

  Of the light reflected by the dichroic mirror 14, G light is reflected by the dichroic mirror 21 and enters the condenser lens 22. The condenser lens 22 imparts an optical action to the G light so that the G light enters the liquid crystal panel 24 as substantially parallel light. The G light transmitted through the condenser lens 22 is incident on the liquid crystal panel 24 through the incident side polarizing plate 23. The liquid crystal panel 24 is driven according to the green video signal and modulates the G light according to the driving state. The G light modulated by the liquid crystal panel 24 is incident on the dichroic prism 20 via the output side polarizing plate 25.

  The R light transmitted through the dichroic mirror 21 is incident on the condenser lens 26. The condenser lens 26 imparts an optical action to the R light so that the R light enters the liquid crystal panel 33 as substantially parallel light. The R light transmitted through the condenser lens 26 travels on an optical path composed of relay lenses 27, 29, 31 for adjusting the optical path length and two mirrors 28, 30, and is incident on the liquid crystal panel 33 through the incident side polarizing plate 32. . The liquid crystal panel 33 is driven according to the red video signal, and modulates the R light according to the driving state. The R light modulated by the liquid crystal panel 33 is incident on the dichroic prism 20 via the emission side polarizing plate 34.

  The dichroic prism 20 color-synthesizes the B light, G light, and R light modulated by the liquid crystal panels 18, 24, and 33 and causes the light to enter the projection lens 3. The projection lens 3 includes a lens group for forming an image of projection light on a projection surface, and an actuator for adjusting a zoom state and a focus state of a projection image by displacing a part of the lens group in the optical axis direction. It has. The light synthesized by the dichroic prism 20 is enlarged and projected on the screen by the projection lens 3.

  Next, the configuration of the mirror unit 10c will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the mirror unit 10c.

  In the figure, a base 100 includes an upper plate portion 101, a lower plate portion 102, a back plate portion 103, and two wall portions 104. The upper plate portion 101, the lower plate portion 102, the back plate portion 103, and the two wall portions 104 are integrally formed by aluminum die casting. In addition, a concave portion 105 connected to the upper plate portion 101 is disposed between the two wall portions 104. The lower plate portion 102 and the upper plate portion 101 are parallel to each other. A mirror holder 200 is rotatably disposed between the lower plate portion 102 and the upper plate portion 101.

  On the inner side surfaces of the two wall portions 104 and the back plate portion 103, a concave portion having a slightly larger outline than the adjustment plate 203 is formed, and the adjustment plate 203 is fitted into this concave portion and screwed. The adjustment plate 203 has a central portion screwed to the back plate portion 103, and portions corresponding to the two wall portions 104 are pressed against the wall portion 104 so as to be elastically displaceable. The adjustment plate 203 is made of a flexible metal thin plate. Further, adjustment screws 204 are screwed onto the outer surfaces of the two wall portions 104, and the tips of these adjustment screws 204 are in contact with the adjustment plate 203.

  The two wall portions 104 have an inner surface of approximately 45 ° with respect to the traveling direction of light from the lamp units 10a and 10b when the mirror unit 10c is arranged in the optical engine of FIG. It is formed to tilt at an angle.

  A mirror 201 is attached to the mirror holder 200. Further, shafts 202 project from the upper and lower surfaces of the mirror holder 200 at coaxial positions. A shaft 202 disposed on the lower surface of the mirror holder 200 is fitted into a shaft hole disposed on the lower plate portion 102, and the shaft 202 disposed on the upper surface is mounted on the torque limiter 402 via a bearing.

  A substrate 300 is mounted on the upper surface of the upper plate portion 101 via a boss. Two detection switches 301 and 302 are mounted on the lower surface of the substrate 300. These detection switches 301 and 302 are pressed by a projection (not shown) on the upper surface of the mirror holder 200 and turned on when the mirror holder 200 is in the rotation end position.

  The drive unit 400 includes a gear 401 provided with a torque limiter 402, a gear 403, a motor 404, a gear (not shown) attached to a drive shaft of the motor 404, a cover 405, and the lower plate portion 102 side. The coil spring 406 is provided. The torque limiter 402 idles the gear 401 when a certain torque or more is applied. The gear 403 is rotatably attached to the cover 405. The cover 405 is formed with a shaft hole that engages with the shaft 402 a of the torque limiter 402. The cover 405 is screwed to a boss formed on the outer surface of the wall portion 104. The motor 404 is attached to the concave portion 105 disposed between the two wall portions 104.

  The driving force from the motor 404 is transmitted to the torque limiter 402 via the gear mounted on the driving shaft of the motor 404 and the gears 403 and 401, and further the shaft 202 on the upper surface of the mirror holder 200 mounted on the torque limiter 402. Is transmitted to. Thereby, the mirror 201 rotates together with the mirror holder 200.

  A coil spring 406 is mounted on the back side of the lower plate portion 102. The coil spring 406 is attached to the mirror unit 10 c so that both ends are locked between a collar formed on the lower surface of the mirror holder 200 and a collar formed on the back surface of the lower plate section 102. In the state of FIG. 3A, the coil spring 406 urges the mirror holder 200 in a direction to be pressed against the wall 104 on the front side of the figure, and in the state of FIG. 3B, the coil spring 406 is applied to the wall part 104 on the back side of the figure. The mirror holder 200 is urged in the pressing direction.

  The rotation end position of the mirror holder 200 can be adjusted by the amount by which the adjustment plate 203 is lifted by the adjustment screw 204. When the mirror unit 10c is incorporated in the optical engine shown in FIG. 2, the amount of lifting of the adjusting plate 203 by the adjusting screw 204 is adjusted so that the light from each of the lamp units 10a and 10b is properly directed to the fly eye integrator 11. Adjusted.

  When in the state shown in FIG. 5A, the light from the lamp unit 10 b is reflected by the mirror 201 and guided to the flying eye integrator 11. When switching the lamp unit to be used from this state, the motor 404 is driven to rotate the mirror unit 200 counterclockwise. This rotation is continued until a certain time elapses after the detection switch 302 is turned on.

  During this time, the mirror unit 200 is pressed against the adjusting plate 203, and the mirror 201 is positioned at the position shown in FIG. Note that the gear 401 idles due to the action of the torque limiter 402 during such pressing. Thus, the mirror unit 200 is positioned in the state shown in FIG. 5B, and the light from the lamp unit 10a is reflected by the mirror 201 and guided to the flying eye integrator 11. When the mirror unit 10c is switched from the state shown in FIG. 5B to the state shown in FIG. 5A, the same operation as described above is performed except that the driving direction of the motor 404 is opposite to the above.

  Next, the configuration of the lamp unit and the method for attaching the lamp unit will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following, one lamp unit will be described as an example, but the configuration and mounting method of the lamp unit shown below are applied to both of the two lamp units 10a and 10b shown in FIG. .

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the lamp unit and its mounting portion. The lamp unit includes a lamp 500, a lamp holder 600 that holds the lamp 500, and a circuit board 700. Further, a holder housing portion 800 for housing the lamp holder 600 and a circuit board 900 are disposed on the main body chassis side. The mirror unit 200 is mounted on the mirror unit mounting portion 830 in the drawing.

  The lamp holder 600 includes a box portion 610 on which the lamp 500 is mounted, and an opening 611 for guiding light from the lamp 500 forward is formed on the front surface of the box portion 610. In addition, a flange portion 620 that protrudes forward is formed in the upper front portion of the box portion 610, and a hole 621 is formed in the flange portion 620. Furthermore, two pins 622 projecting downward are formed on the front upper portion of the box portion 610. Further, an L-shaped flange 630 that protrudes rearward is formed on the upper rear surface of the box portion 610, and a substrate holding portion 640 extends from the flange 630.

  FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of the substrate holder 640. An opening 641 penetrating vertically is formed in the substrate holding portion 640, and an L-shaped locking portion 642 for locking the circuit board 700 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is formed on the upper surface. ing. Further, the substrate holding portion 640 is formed with a screw hole 643 into which the screw 710 is screwed. Further, on the upper surface of the substrate holding part 640, a placement part 644 on which the periphery of the circuit board 700 is placed is formed.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the circuit board 700. FIGS. 9A and 9B are a top view and a back view of the circuit board 700, respectively. Two holes 701 are formed in the circuit board 700, and a notch 702 is formed at a position corresponding to the screw 710 on the side surface. Further, the circuit board 700 has notches 703 and 704 at positions corresponding to the locking portions 642 of the substrate holding portion 640. A circuit portion 705 including an IC and a connector 706 electrically connected to the circuit portion 705 are disposed on the back surface of the circuit board 700.

  Referring to FIG. 5A, when circuit board 700 has notches 703 and 704 fitted into locking portions 642 and the periphery is placed on mounting portion 644, circuit board 700 has a predetermined stroke in the X-axis direction and Z-axis direction. It has a contour shape that can be displaced. Further, the mounting portion 644 has such a width that the circuit board 700 does not fall into the opening 641 even when the circuit board 700 is displaced in this way.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the holder housing portion 800 includes a box mounting portion 811 whose front and upper surfaces are open, and the box portion 610 on the lamp holder 600 side is mounted on the box mounting portion 811. Pins 812 that are respectively engaged with the two holes 621 on the lamp holder 600 side are formed on the front upper portion of the box mounting portion 811. In addition, holes 813 (not shown in FIG. 4; see FIG. 7) that engage with the two pins 622 on the lamp holder 600 side are formed in the bottom on the front side of the box mounting portion 811. Further, the box mounting portion 811 is formed with a pair of guide portions 814 that guide the lamp holder 600 by locking the back surface of the box portion 610 when the lamp holder 600 is mounted. In addition, vent holes 815 for allowing air to pass through the box mounting portion 811 are formed in the two walls of the box mounting portion 811.

  In the holder accommodating portion 800, a substrate holding portion 820 is formed at a position facing the substrate holding portion 640 on the lamp holder 600 side when the lamp holder 600 is mounted.

  FIG. 5B is an enlarged view of the substrate holder 820. The substrate holding unit 820 includes a recess 821, two pins 822 and a screw hole 823 that project from the recess 821. Further, a notch 824 is formed in the wall in the vicinity of the screw hole 823 in the wall surrounding the recess 821.

  The circuit board 900 has a notch 901 and a hole 902 that engage with the two pins 822 on the board holding portion 820 side, respectively. On the upper surface of the circuit board 900, a connector 903 for joining the connector 706 on the circuit board 700 disposed on the lamp holder 600 side and a connector 904 for electrically joining the connector 903 to the main board are mounted. ing. The circuit board 900 is attached to the board holding portion 820 by screwing the screw 905 into the screw hole 823.

  Returning to FIG. 4, when the lamp unit is attached, first, the lamp 500 is mounted on the box portion 610 of the lamp holder 600. Next, the circuit board 700 is mounted on the board holding part 640 of the lamp holder 600. Referring to FIG. 5A, the circuit board 700 is mounted by placing the circuit board 700 on the mounting portion 644 while fitting the notches 703 and 704 into the L-shaped locking portion 642. This is done by screwing the screw 710 into the screw hole 643. At this time, the screw 710 is screwed into the screw hole 643 so that there is a slight gap between the screw 710 and the upper surface of the circuit board 700. As a result, the circuit board 700 is mounted on the board mounting portion 640 in a state that can be displaced by a predetermined stroke in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction.

  Returning to FIG. 4, on the other hand, on the main chassis side, the circuit board 900 is mounted on the board holding portion 820. Referring to FIG. 5B, the mounting of the circuit board 900 is performed by fitting the notch 901 and the hole 902 to the two pins 822, while the notch 824 and the base pedestal of the pin 822 are provided. 822a. The upper surface of the pedestal portion 822a and the upper surface of the notch 824 have the same height. Thereafter, the screw 905 is screwed into the screw hole 823.

  Here, the notch 901 and the hole 902 engage with the pin 822 without substantial play. Therefore, when the circuit board is placed on the notch 824 and the pedestal portion 822a at the root of the pin 822 as described above, the circuit board 900 is positioned with respect to the board holding portion 820 in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. The screw 905 is screwed into the screw hole 823 until it is pressed against the upper surface of the circuit board 900. As a result, the circuit board 900 cannot be displaced in the Y-axis direction and is positioned in the Y-axis direction.

  FIG. 7 is a view showing a state where two circuit boards 700 and 900 are mounted on the board holding portions 640 and 820, respectively. Thereafter, the lamp holder 600 is attached to the holder housing portion 800 by pushing the back surface of the box portion 610 into the box mounting portion 811 while being in contact with the guide portion 814.

  Note that the distance between the front inner surface of the box mounting portion 811 and the guide portion 814 is slightly larger than the length of the box portion 610 in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the lamp holder 600 is housed in a predetermined position of the holder housing portion 800 by pushing the back surface of the box portion 610 into the box mounting portion 811 while abutting the guide portion 814.

  When the lamp holder 600 is pushed into the box mounting portion 811 in this way, the tips of the two pins 812 on the holder housing portion 800 side are on the lamp holder 600 side before the lamp holder 600 reaches a predetermined position in the holder housing portion 800. The tips of the two pins 622 on the lamp holder 600 side are inserted into the two holes 813 on the holder housing portion 800 side. At the same time, the tips of the two pins 822 projecting from the board holding part 820 are inserted into the two holes 701 of the circuit board 700.

  Here, since the ends of the pins 812 and 622 are both tapered, when the lamp holder 600 is further pushed into the box mounting portion 811 from this state, the lamp holder 600 has the tips of the pins 812 and 622. It is guided to the inclination of and is positioned at a predetermined position. Thus, the optical axis of the lamp 500 mounted on the lamp holder 600 is optimized with respect to the subsequent optical system.

  Further, since the tapered inclined portion 822b (see FIG. 5B) is also formed at the end of the pin 822, the lamp holder is further removed from the state where the pin 822 is inserted into the hole 701 as described above. When 600 is pushed into the box mounting portion 811, the circuit board 700 is guided by the inclined portion 822 b at the tip of the pin 822 and displaced in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. As a result, the connector 706 disposed on the circuit board 700 correctly faces the connector 903 on the circuit board 900 side, and then the lamp holder 600 is further pushed in, so that the connector 706 and the connector 903 are joined. .

  FIG. 8A is a view showing a state when the lamp holder 600 is completely pushed into the box mounting portion 811. FIG. 8B is a perspective view showing a state in the vicinity of the substrate housing portions 640 and 820 at that time, and FIG. 8C is a perspective view in a state where the substrate 700 is removed in FIG. 8B. .

  As illustrated, in a state where the lamp holder 600 is completely pushed into the box mounting portion 811, the lamp 500 is positioned, and the connector 706 of the circuit board 700 and the connector 903 of the circuit board 900 are joined.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A ′ of FIG. Before the connector 903 on the circuit board 900 starts to be joined to the connector 706 on the circuit board 700, the length of the pin 822 is fitted to the hole 701 of the circuit board 700 from the tip of the pin 822. Designed to be as long as possible. By doing so, when the connector 706 and the connector 903 start to be joined, the positioning between the two connectors is completed, and the connector 706 and the connector 903 can be joined smoothly.

  FIG. 10 shows a circuit configuration of the projector according to the present embodiment. In the figure, only the configuration related to the lamp units 10a and 10b and the mirror unit 10c is shown, and the other configurations are omitted.

  The lamp power supply 51 supplies power for driving the lamp to the relay circuit 52 in accordance with a control signal from the controller 54. The lamp power source 51 monitors the voltage applied to the lamp 500 to determine whether the lamp is lit and supplies the determination result to the controller 54. Specifically, a determination result indicating that the lamp is turned on when the applied voltage is less than a predetermined threshold is supplied to the controller 54, and the lamp is turned off when the applied voltage exceeds the predetermined threshold. A determination result indicating that the data is present is supplied to the controller 54.

  The relay circuit 52 supplies power from the lamp power supply 51 to the lamp unit instructed by the controller 54 of the lamp units 10a and 10b. The relay circuit 52 receives signals from the detection switches 301 and 302 disposed in the mirror unit 10c. When the mirror 201 in the mirror unit 10 c is directed toward the lamp unit 10 a, the detection switch 301 is turned on, and an ON signal is input from the detection switch 301 to the relay circuit 52. On the other hand, when the mirror 201 is directed toward the lamp unit 10 b, the detection switch 302 is turned on, and an ON signal from the detection switch 302 is input to the relay circuit 52.

  Even if a control signal for supplying power to the lamp unit 10a is input from the controller 54, if the ON signal is not input from the detection switch 301, the relay circuit 52 supplies power from the lamp power source 51 to the lamp unit 10a. Similarly, even if a control signal for supplying power to the lamp unit 10b is input from the controller 54, if the ON signal is not input from the detection switch 302, the power from the lamp power source 51 is supplied to the lamp unit 10b. The circuit is configured not to supply.

  The mirror driver 53 drives the mirror unit 10 c in response to a control signal from the controller 54. When the mirror unit 10c is driven, the controller 54 monitors the signals from the detection switches 301 and 302 disposed in the mirror unit 10c. Then, after an ON signal is input from the detection switch in the driving direction, a control signal for further driving the mirror 201 in the driving direction is supplied to the mirror driver 53 for a certain period. This ensures that the mirror 201 is positioned at the desired switching position.

  When such control is executed, the motor 404 continues to be driven even after the back surface of the mirror holder 200 comes into contact with the adjustment plate 203. However, in this case, since the driving force of the motor 404 is absorbed by the torque limiter 402 as described above, problems such as damage due to overload of the motor 404 and angular deviation of the mirror 201 due to distortion of the mirror holder 200 do not occur.

  The controller 54 includes a CPU (not shown) and a switch 54a, and controls each unit according to a control program stored in advance. The switch 54a connects any one of the circuit units 705 arranged in the lamp units 10a and 10b to the data bus in the controller 54, respectively. The controller 54 switches the switch 54a to establish a communication path with one of the circuit units 705 arranged in the lamp units 10a and 10b. Then, lamp management information is acquired from the circuit unit 705 via the communication path, and the acquired management information is stored in the memory 55. Various commands are input to the controller 54 from the user via the remote controller.

  The configuration and control operation relating to communication between the controller 54 and the circuit unit 705 disposed in the lamp units 10a and 10b will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS.

  In the configuration of FIG. 10, when the lamp to be used is switched from one lamp to the other, the controller 54 stops supplying power to the lamp power supply 51 and then mirrors the light from the other lamp at a position where it reflects light. A control signal for rotating 201 is supplied to the mirror driver 53. Thereby, the mirror 201 is rotated.

  Thereafter, when the mirror 201 is rotated to an appropriate position, an ON signal is supplied to the controller 54 from one of the detection switches 301 and 302. The controller 54 outputs a control signal for starting power supply to the lamp power source 51 after the predetermined period has elapsed after receiving the ON signal, and at the same time, controls for supplying power to the relay circuit 52 to the other lamp. Output a signal. As a result, the other lamp is turned on and an image is projected.

  Next, a configuration related to lamp operation of the controller 54 will be described with reference to FIG.

  4A is a system block diagram of the controller 54 and the circuit unit 705, FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the contents of lamp management information stored in the storage units 71a and 71b, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of use history data among lamp management information. In FIG. 9A, the connectors 706 and 903 interposed between the switch 54a and the circuit unit 705 and the intermediate circuit board 900 are not shown.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the circuit unit 705 of the lamp units 10a and 10b includes control units 70a and 70b and storage units 71a and 71b. The control units 70a and 70b control data writing / reading with respect to the storage units 71a and 71b. The storage units 71a and 71b store data shown in FIG. 5B as lamp management information.

  Here, the lamp identification information includes accumulated time data and usage history data. The accumulated time data is data indicating the accumulated accumulated time of the lamp 500. In addition, the “use accumulated time” is a total use time after the lamp 500 is used for the first time after manufacture, and is obtained by adding up all the lights that have been lit up to the present after the first use. .

  The usage history data includes a flag relating to the associate operation failure and a flag relating to the complete operation failure as shown in FIG. Here, the flag relating to the associate operation failure is set to “1” when the lamp 500 has failed to light once in the past, and is set to “0” when there is no failure in lighting. Further, the flag relating to the complete malfunction is set to “1” when the lamp 500 is completely malfunctioned (unusable) due to the failure of lighting twice in the past, and “0” otherwise. It is said.

  That is, the quasi-operation failure refers to a state in which the lamp 500 has failed to light once in the past, and the complete operation failure refers to a failure to illuminate twice in the past (further in the state of associate operation failure). It means that the lighting has failed once again.

  Returning to FIG. 5A, the controller 54 includes a communication control unit 61, a storage unit 62, a lighting / extinguishing detection unit 63, a time measurement unit 64, a calculation unit 65, a lamp operation unit 66, and a life determination. Unit 67 and operation failure determination unit 68.

  The communication control unit 61 switches and controls the switch 54a to establish a communication path with any one of the circuit units 705 arranged in the lamp units 10a and 10b. And the said lamp | ramp management information is acquired from the memory | storage parts 71a and 71b of the circuit part 705 which established the communication path.

  The storage unit 62 stores the lamp management information acquired by the communication control unit 61. The lamp management information stored in the storage unit 62 is updated at any time by processing by the calculation unit 65 and the malfunction determination unit 68 when the lamp is used. The storage unit 62 sets a storage area for lamp management information in the memory 55. In addition to the lamp management information, the recording unit 62 stores information necessary for lamp operation such as manual setting data and automatic setting data, which will be described later.

The lighting / extinguishing detection unit 63 determines the lighting start and lighting end of the lamp 500 to be lit based on the lamp lighting determination result supplied from the lamp power supply 51. Specifically, during the driving operation of the lamp 500, it is detected that the lighting of the lamp 500 is started at a timing when a determination result indicating that the lamp 500 is in a lighting state is supplied from the lamp power source 51. The end of lighting of the lamp 500 is detected at a timing when a determination result indicating that the lamp 500 is turned off is supplied from the power source 51. When the lighting operation of the lamp 500 is terminated, such as when the lamp 500 is switched or when the projection operation is terminated, the lighting / extinction detecting unit 63
When the power supply to the lamp 500 is stopped, the turning off of the lamp 500 is detected.

  The time measuring unit 64 starts measuring time when a lighting start signal is input from the lighting / extinguishing detection unit 63, and delivers the measurement result to the computing unit 65 at regular time intervals. In addition, when the lighting end signal from the lighting / light extinguishing detection unit 63 is input, the time measuring unit 64 ends the time measurement and passes the measurement result at the end point to the calculation unit 65.

  The computing unit 65 updates the accumulated time data based on the accumulated time data in the lamp management information stored in the storage unit 62 and the measurement result of the elapsed time input from the time measuring unit 64, and the updated accumulated time. Data is written back to the storage unit 62. The updated accumulated time data is written back to the storage units 71a and 71b of the corresponding lamp units 10a and 10b as needed.

  The lamp operation unit 66 performs lamp lighting control in accordance with a setting operation from the user. Details of the lighting control will be described later with reference to FIG. The lamp operation unit 66 includes a mode setting unit 66a for mode setting in lamp lighting control. The lamp operation mode is set by projecting a user menu by the mode setting unit 66a.

  That is, the mode setting unit 66a holds a user menu for mode selection in advance. At the time of mode setting, a user menu is projected via the lamp operation unit 66, and the user selects a desired lamp operation mode by remote control operation. The selection result is held in the mode setting unit 66a. The lamp operating unit 66 performs lamp lighting control according to the lamp operating mode held in the mode setting unit 66a.

  The life determination unit 67 holds a life reference time of a lamp to be mounted in advance, and determines that the life of the lamp has been exhausted when the accumulated use time of the lamp exceeds the life reference time. When the lamp units 10a and 10b are mounted, the life determination unit 67 refers to the accumulated usage time held in each lamp unit 10a and 10b to determine whether the life of each lamp remains, and the determination result (life Flag). Further, when the lamp is lit, the life determination unit 67 refers to the accumulated time data updated at any time in the calculation unit 65, determines whether the life of the lamp to be used has been exhausted, and updates the determination result (life flag) as needed. To do.

  The malfunction determination unit 68 is a lighting target lamp based on usage history data in the lamp management information stored in the storage unit 62 and detection results of lighting start and lighting end input from the lighting / extinguishing detection unit 63. The operation status (normal / associative operation failure / complete operation failure) is determined, and the use history data stored in the storage unit 62 is updated according to the determination result. The updated usage history data is written back to the storage units 71a and 71b of the corresponding lamp units 10a and 10b as needed. Note that the processing in the malfunction determination unit 68 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.

  Hereinafter, the lamp operation control in the system configuration of FIG.

  First, initialization of lamp management information will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the projector is turned on, a process for sequentially acquiring lamp management information from each mounted lamp unit is performed.

  When the lamp management information is acquired for the lamp unit 10a (S101: YES), the communication control unit 61 establishes a communication path with the circuit unit 705 of the lamp unit 10a (S102). Then, the communication control unit 61 communicates with the circuit unit 705 that established the communication path (S103), reads lamp management information from the storage unit 71a of the circuit unit 705 (S104), and stores the lamp management information with the read lamp management information. The lamp management information storage area of the 62 lamp units 10a is initialized (S105). When the lamp management information is acquired for the lamp unit 10b (S101: YES), the communication control unit 61 establishes a communication path with the circuit unit 705 of the lamp unit 10b (S102). Through the processes of S105, the lamp management information storage area of the lamp unit 10a in the storage unit 62 is initialized.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 12B, update of the accumulated time data will be described. The accumulated time data update process is executed whenever any of the lamp units 10a and 10b enters the lighting operation.

  When the lighting of the lamp unit 10a or 10b to be lit is started (S111: YES), measurement of the elapsed time by the time measuring unit 64 is started. At the same time, the calculation unit 65 updates the accumulated usage time of the lamp unit 10a or 10b based on the measurement time by the time measurement unit 64 and the accumulated time data stored in the storage unit 62. Then, the updated accumulated usage time is overwritten in the storage unit 62 as needed, and written back to the storage unit 71a or 71b of the lamp unit 10a or 10b (S112).

  The update storage of the accumulated usage time is continued until the lamp unit 10a or 10b is turned on (S113: YES). When the lighting of the lamp unit 10a or 10b is ended (S113: YES), the measurement of elapsed time and the calculation of the use accumulated time in the time measuring unit 64 and the calculation unit 65 are finished (S114), and the use integration at that time is completed. The time is written back to the storage units 71a and 71b of the lamp unit 10a or 10b (S115). Thereby, the process ends.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing communication path switching / setting processing when lamp switching is performed during lamp operation.

  When the lamp operation is started for image projection (S121: YES), the communication control unit 61 establishes a communication path with the circuit unit 705 of the lamp unit to be lit among the lamp units 10a and 10b ( S122). Such a communication path is maintained until the lamp to be used is switched (S123: YES) or the lamp operation (projection operation) ends (S124: YES).

  In the middle of the lamp operation, for example, when the lamp to be used is switched by a switching operation by the user, the communication control unit 61 cuts off the communication path with the circuit unit 705 of the lamp unit that is lit (S125). A communication path is established with the circuit unit 705 with the lamp unit to be newly turned on later (S122). When the lamp operation (projection operation) ends (S124: YES), the communication control unit 61 blocks the communication path with the circuit unit 705 of the lamp unit that is lit (S126).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, a process for determining a lamp malfunction will be described.

<Determination of malfunction at lamp start>
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation failure determination process at the time of starting the lamp.

  Prior to starting the lamp, the lamp operating unit 66 and the malfunction determining unit 68 refer to the usage history data of the lamp unit to be used stored in the storage unit 62 (S211). Here, if the usage history data is a complete operation failure (complete operation failure flag = 1) (S212: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 does not light the lamp. In this case, the usage history data is not updated by the malfunction determination unit 68.

  If the usage history data is not a complete malfunction (complete malfunction flag = 1) (S212: NO), the lamp operation unit 66 starts measuring the number N of lamp start executions (S213), and then the lamp to be used is used. Is started (S214), the number N of lamp start executions is incremented by one. Further, the lamp operating unit 66 determines whether the lighting / extinguishing detection unit 63 detects the start of lighting with respect to the start (S215).

  When the lamp is lit by the first start (S215: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 ends the measurement of the number N of lamp start executions (S221). Thereby, the malfunction determination at the time of starting the lamp ends. In this case, the malfunction determination unit 68 does not update the usage history data.

  If the lamp is not turned on by the first start (S215: NO), the lamp operation unit 66 thereafter repeats the lamp start until the lamp start execution number N reaches a predetermined number Ns (S216). If the lamp is lit during that time (S215: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 ends the measurement of the number N of lamp start executions (S221). Thereby, the malfunction determination at the time of starting the lamp ends. In this case, the malfunction determination unit 68 does not update the usage history data.

  On the other hand, if the lamp is not turned on even when the number N of lamp start executions is Ns (S216: NO), the result is notified to the malfunction determination unit 68. In response to this, the operation failure determination unit 68 determines whether or not the usage history data of the lamp unit is an associate operation failure (complete operation failure flag = 0, associate operation failure flag = 1) (S217).

  If this determination is not an associate operation failure (S217: NO), the operation failure determination unit 68 sets the status of the lamp unit as an associate operation failure (S218), updates the usage history data stored in the recording unit 62, and Furthermore, the updated usage history data is overwritten in the storage unit 71a or 71b of the corresponding lamp unit via the communication control unit 61 (S220).

  If the determination in S217 is an associate operation failure (S217: YES), the operation failure determination unit 68 sets the status of the lamp unit as a complete operation failure (S219), and uses the usage history data stored in the recording unit 62. The updated usage history data is overwritten in the storage unit 71a or 71b of the corresponding lamp unit via the communication control unit 61 (S220).

  When the usage history data is thus updated, the lamp operation unit ends the measurement of the number N of lamp start executions (S221). Thereby, the malfunction determination at the time of starting the lamp ends.

<Determination of malfunction during lamp lighting>
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation failure determination process when the lamp is lit.

  When the lamp is turned off during the lighting operation of the lamp unit (S231: YES), the operation failure determination unit 68 refers to the usage history data of the lamp (S232), and the usage history data of the lamp unit is a quasi operation failure (completely It is determined whether or not the operation failure flag = 0 and the associate operation failure flag = 1) (S233).

  If this determination is not an associate operation failure (S233: NO), the operation failure determination unit 68 sets the status of the lamp unit as an associate operation failure (S234), updates the usage history data stored in the recording unit 62, and Furthermore, the updated usage history data is overwritten in the storage unit 71a or 71b of the corresponding lamp unit via the communication control unit 61 (S236). Thereby, the malfunction determination at the time of lamp lighting ends.

  If the determination in S233 is an associate operation failure (S233: YES), the operation failure determination unit 68 sets the status of the lamp unit as a complete operation failure (S235), and uses the usage history data stored in the recording unit 62. The updated usage history data is overwritten in the storage unit 71a or 71b of the corresponding lamp unit via the communication control unit 61 (S236). Thereby, the malfunction determination at the time of lamp lighting ends.

  Next, lamp switching control in the present embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, a manual switching mode, an automatic switching mode, a life priority mode, and a continuous priority mode are prepared as lamp switching modes. The user can select and set either the manual switching mode or the automatic switching mode as appropriate by an external operation, and can select and set either the life priority mode or the continuous priority mode.

  The life priority mode and the continuous priority mode are executed in parallel with the projector when the manual switching mode or the automatic switching mode is set. In the life priority mode and the continuous priority mode, the lamp to be used is switched or the lamp operation is stopped based on the life of the lamps that are lit. The lamp operation here has priority over the lamp operation in the manual switching mode and the automatic switching mode.

  Even if the automatic switching mode is set during execution of the manual switching mode, the projector only changes the setting mode and does not switch the use lamp. On the other hand, when the manual switching mode is set during the execution of the automatic switching mode, the use lamp may be switched along with the change of the setting mode. In this case, if the lamp selected at the time of setting the manual switching mode is different from the lamp that was lit during the execution of the automatic switching mode, the lamp will be switched. The lamp will not switch.

  In the present embodiment, the user can select the lamp to be used when the manual switching mode is set. Alternatively, every time an operation input in the manual switching mode is performed, the use lamp may be switched from the currently lit lamp to another lamp.

  In addition, the user can appropriately select and set the life priority mode and the continuous priority mode during the operation of the projector, such as during execution of the manual switching mode or automatic switching mode, and before execution of the manual switching mode or automatic switching mode.

  When the lamp operation (image projection) is finished in the state where each of the above modes is set, or when the power of the projector is turned off, the projector holds each mode set at that time, and the next lamp operation ( When image projection is started, the lamp operation is executed in the held mode.

  Hereinafter, for convenience, one of the lamp units 10a and 10b and the lamp attached thereto will be referred to as a lamp 1, and the other and the lamp attached thereto will be referred to as a lamp 2.

<Manual switching mode>
First, the manual switching mode will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A is a processing flow in the manual switching mode, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a configuration of manual setting data held in the storage unit 62 in the manual switching mode.

  The manual setting data in FIG. 5B is data for specifying which of the lamps 1 and 2 is selected when the manual switching mode is set. Here, the lamp with the flag “1” is selected when the manual switching mode is set. When the lamp operation ends in the setting state of the manual switching mode, the manual setting data at that time is held. Thereafter, when the lamp operation is started again in the manual switching mode without selecting the lamp, the use lamp is set according to the held manual setting data.

  Referring to FIG. 5A, when the lamp operation (image projection) is started in the state where the manual switching mode is set, the lamp operation unit 66 stores the manual setting data stored in the storage unit 62. Reference is made (S311), and the lamp set as the lighting target is specified. Then, the lamp operation unit 66 refers to the lamp usage history data specified in this way, and determines whether the lamp can be turned on (is not a complete malfunction) (S312).

  Here, if the lamp cannot be turned on (S312: NO), the lamp operation unit 66 sets the manual switching mode to NG (S313). In this case, this is notified to the user by voice or the like. On the other hand, if the lamp can be turned on (S312: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 turns on the lamp (S314).

  After the lamp is turned on in this way, the lamp operation unit 66 monitors whether there is a lamp switching operation input from the user (S315) and whether there is a lamp operation (image projection) termination process (S316). If there is no (S315: NO, S316: NO), the lighting operation of the lamp is continued.

  When the user inputs a lamp switching operation while the lamp is lit (S315: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 turns off the lit lamp (S317), and the other lamp is selected as the manual setting data. The state is updated (S318). Then, the processing after S311 is performed based on the updated manual setting data. Thereby, the other lamp is turned on (S314).

  Thereafter, when an operation input for switching the lamp is made again by the user (S315: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 switches the lighting lamp in the same manner as described above. Further, when there is a lamp operation (image projection) termination process while the lamp is lit (S316), the lamp operation unit 66 turns off the lit lamp (S319). When the lamp operation is thus completed, the manual setting data at that time is held in the storage unit 62.

<Auto switching mode>
Next, the automatic switching mode will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A is a processing flow in the automatic switching mode, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a configuration of automatic setting data held in the storage unit 62 in the automatic switching mode.

  The automatic setting data in FIG. 5B is data for specifying which of the lamps 1 and 2 is currently set as a lighting lamp in the automatic switching mode. Here, the lamp with the flag “1” is currently set as a lighting lamp. In addition, in the automatic setting data, the lighting time of the lamp from the time when the lamp is set (when the flag is set to “1”) to the present is held as a change amount.

  When the lamp operation ends in the setting state of the automatic switching mode, the automatic setting data is updated based on the amount of change at that time and stored in the storage unit 62. Thereafter, when the lamp operation is started again in the automatic switching mode, the use lamp is set according to the held automatic setting data.

  Referring to FIG. 5A, when the lamp operation (image projection) is started in the state where the automatic switching mode is set, the lamp operation unit 66 stores the automatic setting data stored in the storage unit 62. Reference is made (S411), and the lamp set as the lighting target is specified. Then, the lamp operation unit 66 refers to the usage history data of the lamp thus identified, and determines whether the lamp can be lit (is not a complete malfunction) (S412).

  Here, if the lamp can be turned on (S412: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 turns on the lamp (S413). On the other hand, if the lamp cannot be turned on (S412: NO), the lamp operation unit 66 refers to the usage history data of the other lamp and determines whether the other lamp can be turned on (not a complete malfunction). (S414). Here, if the other lamp cannot be turned on (S414: NO), the automatic switching mode is set to NG (S415). In this case, this is notified to the user by voice or the like.

  On the other hand, if the other lamp can be lit (S414: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 switches the lit lamp to the other lamp and lights the other lamp (S416). At this time, the flag of the automatic setting data is updated to a state where the other lamp is a lighting lamp. Further, the amount of change of the lamps 1 and 2 is reset to zero.

  After the lamp is turned on in this way, the lamp operation unit 66 updates the change amount of the lighting lamp as needed based on the measurement result from the time measurement unit 64 (S417). The lighting of the lamp and the update of the change amount are continued until the switching process to the manual mode is performed (S418: YES) or the lamp operation (image projection) is finished (S419: YES).

  Thereafter, when the lamp operation (image projection) ends (S419: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 turns off the lamp that is lit (S420), and the amount of change at that time exceeds a preset threshold time Ts. (S421). If the change amount exceeds the threshold time Ts (S421: YES), the flag of the automatic setting data is updated so that the lamp used in the next automatic switching mode operation is switched from the current lamp (S422). At the same time, the amount of change in lamp 1 and lamp 2 is reset to zero. On the other hand, if the amount of change does not exceed the threshold time Ts (S421: NO), the lamp operation unit 66 ends the process without updating the automatic setting data.

  When the process for switching to the manual mode is performed while the lamp is lit (S418: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 turns off the lit lamp (S424), and the amount of change in the lamps 1 and 2 in the automatic setting data To reset. At this time, the flag of the automatic setting data is not updated. Therefore, the next time the automatic switching mode is executed, the lamp that has been turned on this time is turned on again.

  FIG. 18 is a timing chart illustrating the transition of the automatic setting data when the automatic switching mode is executed. Here, the use is started from the lamp 1. Further, the change amount of the lamp 1 at the start of use is zero.

  When the lamp operation is started at t0, the lamp 1 is turned on, and the amount of change of the lamp 1 increases until the lamp operation is ended at t1. The amount of change of the lamp 1 when the lamp operation ends at t1 is smaller than the threshold time Ts. Therefore, here, the flags of the lamps 1 and 2 are not updated, and thereafter, the change amount of the lamp 1 is held until the lamp operation is started again at t2.

  When the lamp operation is started at t2, the lamp 1 is turned on, and the amount of change of the lamp 1 increases. The amount of change of the lamp 1 increases until the lamp operation ends at t3. The amount of change of the lamp 1 when the lamp operation ends at t1 exceeds the threshold time Ts. Therefore, the flags of the lamps 1 and 2 are updated to a state in which the lamp used in the next lamp operation is set to the lamp 2. At the same time, the amount of change in lamps 1 and 2 is reset to zero.

  When the lamp operation is started again at t4, the lamp 2 is turned on, and the amount of change of the lamp 2 increases until the lamp operation is ended at t5. The change amount of the lamp 2 when the lamp operation ends at t5 exceeds the threshold time Ts. Therefore, the flags of the lamps 1 and 2 are updated to a state in which the lamp used in the next lamp operation is set to the lamp 1. At the same time, the amount of change in lamps 1 and 2 is reset to zero. Thereafter, when the lamp operation is started again at t6, the lamp 1 is turned on and the amount of change of the lamp 1 increases.

  Next, the life priority mode and the continuation priority mode will be described with reference to FIGS. As described above, the user can select and set either the life priority mode or the continuous priority mode. In addition, the life priority mode and the continuous priority mode are performed in parallel with the execution of the manual switching mode and the automatic switching mode, and the lamp operation in the life priority mode and the continuous priority mode is performed in accordance with the lamp in the manual switching mode and the automatic switching mode. Priority is given to operation.

<Lifetime priority mode>
First, the life priority mode will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the life priority mode is executed while the lamp is lit, and is not performed when the lamp is started.

  When the lamp to be lit is turned on, the life determination unit 67 refers to the accumulated time data stored in the storage unit 62, and determines whether the accumulated accumulated use time of the lamp being lit exceeds the life reference time of the lamp ( It is determined whether the remaining lifetime has become 0 (S501). As the lighting progresses, the life of the lamp being lit is exhausted (S501: YES), the process proceeds to S504, and processing for other lamps is performed.

  If the life of the lamp being lit remains (S501: NO), then the lamp operation unit 66 determines whether the operation status of the lighting target lamp has changed in the determination in the operation failure determination unit 68 (non-defective product → associative operation). A failure or an associate operation failure → change of a complete operation failure) is determined (S502). If the operating status of the lamp being lit changes (S502: YES), the process proceeds to S505, and processing for other lamps is performed. If the operating status of the lamp being lit does not change (S502: NO), the lighting of the lamp to be lit is maintained, and the use integrated time of the lamp being lit is updated by the arithmetic unit 65 as needed (S503).

  When the life of the lit lamp is exhausted (S501: YES) or the operating status of the lit lamp is changed (S502: YES), the life determination unit 67 refers to the accumulated time data held in the storage unit 62. Then, it is determined whether the accumulated usage time of the other lamp exceeds the life reference time of the lamp (whether the remaining life time has become 0) (S504). If the other lamp has reached the end of its life (S505: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 turns off the lit lamp and stops the lamp operation (image projection) (S508).

  If the life of the other lamp is not exhausted (S505: NO), the lamp operation unit 66 then refers to the use history data of the other lamp held in the storage unit 62 (S506), and the other lamp It is determined whether the lamp is not completely malfunctioning (S507). If the other lamp is completely defective (S507: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 turns off the lamp that is lit and stops the lamp operation (image projection) (S508).

  If the other lamp is not completely malfunctioning (if it is a non-defective product or an associate malfunction) (S507: NO), the lamp operation unit 66 turns off the lit lamp and switches the lighting target lamp to the other lamp. (S509). At this time, if the automatic switching mode is set in parallel, it is switched to the manual switching mode in which the other lamp is the lighting lamp. At this time, the flag of the automatic setting data in the automatic switching mode is not changed, and the change amount of the lamps 1 and 2 is reset to zero.

  When the other lamp is thus lit, the process returns to S501 and the process for the other lamp is performed. While the other lamp is lit, the life and malfunction of the other lamp are determined at any time in the same manner as described above (S501, S502). The other lamp continues to be lit while the lifetime remains and no malfunction occurs. In addition to this, if there is an instruction to end the lamp operation (image projection), the lighting of the other lamp is ended accordingly.

  In the processing flow of FIG. 19, the lamp to be lit is switched to the other lamp even when it is determined that the associate operation is defective in S507 (S507: YES), but the other lamp is a non-defective product. Only the lamp to be lit may be switched to the other lamp.

<Continuous priority mode>
Next, the continuation priority mode will be described with reference to FIG. In the continuous priority mode, the processing when the life of another lamp is exhausted or the other lamp is determined to be completely malfunctioning in S505 and S507 in the life priority mode of FIG. 19 is different from that in the life priority mode. ing.

  That is, when the other lamp has reached the end of life (S505: YES), or when it is determined that the other lamp is completely malfunctioning (S507: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 is stored in the storage unit 62. With reference to the used usage history data, it is determined whether or not the lamp being lit is completely malfunctioning (S511). Here, if the lamp to be lit is not completely malfunctioning (S511: NO), the lamp operation unit 66 continues lighting the lit lamp (S513), and performs the processing from S501 onward.

  On the other hand, if the lit lamp is completely malfunctioning (S511: NO), the lamp operating unit 66 refers to the usage history data of the other lamp stored in the storage unit 62, and the other lamp is completely malfunctioning. Is determined (S512). Here, if the other lamp is completely malfunctioning, the lamp operation unit 66 ends the lamp operation.

  On the other hand, if the other lamp is not completely malfunctioning (S512: NO), the lamp operation unit 66 turns off the lamp that is lit and switches the lamp to be lit to the other lamp (S509). At this time, the manual switching mode in which the other lamp is a lighting lamp is switched in parallel. At this time, the flag of the automatic setting data in the automatic switching mode is not changed, and the change amount of the lamps 1 and 2 is reset to zero.

  When the other lamp is thus lit, the process returns to S501 and the process for the other lamp is performed. While the other lamp is lit, the life and malfunction of the other lamp are determined at any time in the same manner as described above (S501, S502). The other lamp continues to be lit while the lifetime remains and no malfunction occurs.

  As described above, in the life priority mode, if a lamp that is lit has reached the end of its life, it is extinguished. At this time, if the life of another lamp remains, the other lamp is lit and the life of the other lamp remains. If not, the other lamps are not lit. In this way, in the life priority mode, lighting of the lamp whose life has expired is avoided. Therefore, in the life priority mode, it is possible to prevent a problem that a lamp whose life has expired is lit and damaged.

  On the other hand, in the continuation priority mode, the lamp is turned on if there is no complete malfunction even after the lifetime has expired. Therefore, in the continuous priority mode, there is an advantage that the image projection can be continued as much as possible even if the lamp life is exhausted during the image projection.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the manual switching mode and the automatic switching mode can be appropriately selected and set, so that the user can smoothly operate each lamp according to the usage scene of the projector.

  For example, in the case of giving a presentation using a projector, it is possible to realize a usage mode in which an old lamp is used during practice and a newer lamp having a higher luminance is used in practice by using the manual switching mode. .

  Further, when it is not a special usage pattern as described above, it is possible to realize a usage pattern in which the automatic switching mode is selected and two lamps are used on average. In this automatic switching mode, the deterioration of the two lamps proceeds in substantially the same manner, so that the problem that the use is biased to one of the lamps and the deterioration proceeds is suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress such a problem that the deterioration of one of the lamps progresses remarkably and the image quality of the projected image changes drastically when the lamps are switched.

  Note that when only the automatic switching mode is provided, two lamps are used on average, and therefore, each lamp may be cut off at substantially the same time, causing a problem in image projection. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the manual switching mode can be selected in addition to the automatic switching mode, the use of the two lamps is extremely averaged by selecting the manual switching mode occasionally. Can be avoided. Therefore, the problem that the two lamps are cut off at the same time and the projection of the image is hindered can be solved.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the life priority mode and the continuation priority mode can be appropriately selected and set, so that, on the other hand, it is possible to avoid damage to the lamp due to continued use of the lamp whose life has expired, It is possible to use a lamp that can be used even if it has reached the end of its useful life (a non-defective product or a lamp that does not function properly).

  In the execution of the continuation priority mode, when a lamp whose lifetime has expired is used, particularly when a lamp whose lifetime has expired and a lamp with a quasi-operation failure continues to be used, an announcement to that effect is given to the projected image. It is desirable to inform the user of the current state of the lamp, such as by displaying superimposed characters and figures.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to avoid the use of a completely malfunctioning lamp that has been deteriorated and has stopped being lit, so that it is possible to suppress useless lighting operation of the lamp. In the present embodiment, since the lamp operating status is determined by repeating the lighting of the lamp a plurality of times (Ns times) in the determination of the malfunction shown in FIG. 14, the operating status of the lamp is more reliably determined. Can be determined. For example, it is difficult for a normal lamp to be lit when the lamp temperature is high, but in the flowchart of FIG. 14, it is possible to avoid erroneously determining that the lamp is defective in such a case. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the use of the lamp is suppressed due to the complete operation failure although it is not the complete operation failure, and the lamp can be used more efficiently.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Further, the embodiment of the present invention can be variously modified in addition to the above. Hereinafter, a modified example of the present embodiment will be described.

<Example of change in malfunction detection processing>
In the operation failure determination process in FIG. 14, when the lamp is determined to be completely inoperable, the operation state of the lamp does not return to a non-defective product or an associate operation failure thereafter. However, as described above, in a situation where the lamp temperature is high, such as immediately after the lamp is turned off, the lamp is usually difficult to light. In such a case, when malfunction is determined, a plurality of lighting trials are performed as shown in FIG. Even if the determination is made, there is a possibility that the lamp is erroneously determined to be defective.

  This modification is for avoiding such inconvenience. FIG. 21 shows a lamp defect determination process in this modification. Note that FIG. 21 is obtained by adding S241 to S251 to the processing flow of FIG. 14, but for the sake of convenience, some of the steps of the processing flow of FIG.

  Prior to starting the lamp, the lamp operation unit 66 and the malfunction determination unit 68 refer to the usage history data of the lamp to be used stored in the storage unit 62 (S211). Here, if the usage history data is a complete operation failure (complete operation failure flag = 1) (S212: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 then uses the usage history data of both the target lamp and the other lamp. , It is determined whether both lamps are completely malfunctioning (S241). If the other lamp is not completely malfunctioning (S241: NO), the malfunction determining unit 68 ends the malfunction determining process. In this case, the other lamp can be used.

  On the other hand, if both lamps are completely malfunctioning (S241: YES), the lamp operation unit 68 sets one of these lamps as a target for malfunction determination. Which lamp is to be determined may be set as a default in advance, or may be a lamp that has been determined to be completely malfunctioning later, out of the two lamps. In the latter case, the lamp operation unit 68 holds information for identifying a lamp that has been determined to be completely malfunctioning later.

  Thereafter, the lamp operation unit 66 starts measuring the number N of lamp start executions (S243), and then starts the determination target lamp (S244). Then, the number N of lamp start executions is incremented by 1 in accordance with the start of the determination target lamp, and it is further determined whether the lighting / extinguishing detection unit 63 detects the start of lighting for this start (S245).

  This starting is repeated Ns times (S246). When the determination target lamp is turned on during Ns times of starting (S245: YES), the malfunction determination unit 68 sets the determination target lamp as a non-defective product (S248) and updates the use history data stored in the recording unit 62. Further, the updated usage history data is overwritten in the storage unit 71a or 71b of the corresponding lamp unit via the communication control unit 61 (S249).

  If the determination target lamp is not turned on during Ns starts (S246: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 determines whether there is another lamp that has not been determined (S247), and there is another lamp. If there is (S247: YES), the other lamp is set as a determination target (S251), and the processing after S243 is performed. As a result, the lamp is also started Ns times for the other lamp. If the other lamp is lit during this time (S245: YES), the malfunction determination unit 68 sets the other lamp as a non-defective product (S248), and the recording unit 62 Is updated, and the updated usage history data is overwritten in the storage unit 71a or 71b of the corresponding lamp unit via the communication control unit 61 (S250).

  On the other hand, if the other lamp is not turned on during Ns starts, S246: NO), since both lamps have been determined (S247), the malfunction determination unit 68 ends the malfunction determination process. . In this case, both lamps cannot be used.

  In this modified example, a lamp that is erroneously determined to be completely malfunctioning is returned to a non-defective product by a subsequent confirmation operation. Therefore, the lamp can be appropriately and effectively used, and the function of the projector can be appropriately exhibited. In the flow chart of FIG. 21, when the lamp that has been determined previously is non-defective, the malfunction determination for the other lamp is not performed, but the malfunction determination for the other lamp may be continued. good.

<Example of changing the life priority mode>
In the life priority mode shown in FIG. 19, when the lighting target lamp has reached the end of its life, the process of switching the lamp or stopping the lamp operation is performed. In this case, it is possible to prevent the lamp from being damaged by continuing to turn on the lamp that has reached the end of its life, but there is also a disadvantage that the image projection is interrupted. In view of this point, in this modified example, the lit lamp is kept lit until a lamp operation (image projection) end command is issued even when the lifetime has expired.

  In this modified example, the switching of the lighting lamp is performed when the lamp being lit becomes defective. Also in this case, as in the case of FIG. 19 described above, if the automatic switching mode is set in parallel, the manual switching mode in which the lamp after switching is set to the lighting lamp is switched. At this time, the flag of the automatic setting data in the automatic switching mode is not changed, and the change amount of the lamps 1 and 2 is reset to zero.

  22 and 23 show a processing flow in the life priority mode according to this modification. Note that FIG. 22 is a processing flow of a part that performs lamp operation regarding the life of the target lamp in the life priority mode, and FIG. 23 is a process of part that performs lamp operation regarding the operating state (operation failure) of the target lamp. It is a flow. In the following, each processing flow will be described by taking as an example a case where the use target lamp is set to the lamp 1 in the manual switching mode or the automatic switching mode.

  First, referring to FIG. 22, when the lamp 1 is started or lit, the lamp operation unit 66 monitors whether or not the life determining unit 67 determines that the life of the lamp 1 has been exhausted (S601). When the lighting of the lamp 1 proceeds and the life of the lamp 1 is exhausted (S601: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 sets the lamp to be lit for the next lamp operation to the lamp 2, and the user performs an OFF operation. Until it is present (S603: YES), the lighting of the lamp 1 is continued (S602). When there is an OFF operation from the user (S603: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 turns off the lamp 1. At this time, the projector enters a standby state.

  Thereafter, when the user performs an ON operation (S604: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 determines whether or not the life of the lamp 2 has been exhausted by the life determination unit 67 (S605), and the life of the lamp 2 is reached. If it remains, it is determined whether the lamp 2 is a non-defective product (not an associate operation failure or a complete operation failure) with reference to the usage history data of the lamp 2 stored in the storage unit 62 (S606). If the lamp 2 is a non-defective product (S606: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 starts the lamp 2 (S607). On the other hand, if the lamp 2 is not a non-defective product, an OFF operation by the system is executed (S608). Note that when the lamp 2 is started in S607, the processes after S601 are performed on the lamp 2.

  Next, referring to FIG. 23, when the lamp 1 is not lit when the lamp 1 is started or when the lamp 1 is turned off while the lamp 1 is lit (S611: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 stores the data. With reference to the usage history data of the lamp 2 stored in the unit 62, it is determined whether the lamp 2 is non-defective (S612). Here, if the lamp 2 is a non-defective product, the lamp operation unit 66 further refers to the life determination result of the lamp 2 in the life determination unit 67 and determines whether the life of the lamp 2 remains (S613).

  If the lamp 2 is not a non-defective product or if the lamp 2 has no remaining life, the lamp operating unit causes the system to perform an OFF operation (S623). On the other hand, if the life of the lamp 2 remains (S613: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 starts the lighting of the lamp 2 (S614).

  Here, if the lamp 2 is not turned on (S615: NO), the lamp 2 is regarded as a quasi-operation failure (S612: NO), and the lamp operation unit causes the system to perform an OFF operation (S623). On the other hand, if the lamp 2 is turned on (S615: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 causes an operation failure (non-defective product → secondary operation failure) to occur in the lamp 2 (S616: YES) or until the user performs an OFF operation. (S617: YES), the lamp 2 is turned on. If the lamp 2 is turned off during the lighting, the lamp 2 is considered to be in an associate operation failure (S612: NO), and the lamp operating unit causes the system to perform an OFF operation (S623).

  In S617, when the user performs an OFF operation, the lamp operation unit 66 turns off the lamp 2. At this time, the projector enters a standby state. Thereafter, when the user performs an ON operation, the lamp operation unit 66 first starts lighting the lamp 1 (619). As a result, when the lamp 1 is turned on (S620: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 continues to turn on the lamp 1 (S612). In this case, the process returns to S611 and the same processing is performed again for the lamp 1.

  On the other hand, if the lamp 1 is not lit (S620: NO), the lamp operation unit 66 starts lighting the lamp 2. In this case, the process after S601 is performed on the lamp 2.

  If the user performs an ON operation after the system is turned off in S623 (S624: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 starts lighting the lamp 1 (S625). Thus, when the lamp 1 is turned on (S626: YES), the lamp operation unit 66 continues to turn on the lamp 1 (S627). In this case, the process returns to S611 and the same processing is performed again for the lamp 1. On the other hand, if the lamp 1 is not turned on (S626: NO), the lamp operation unit causes the system to perform an OFF operation (S628).

According to the processing flow of FIG. 22 of this modified example, even when the lamp 1 has expired at the start of lighting and during lighting, the lamp 1 continues to be lit until the user performs an OFF operation (S602). , S603), the interruption of image projection due to the end of the lamp life is prevented. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

  Further, according to the processing flow of FIG. 23 of this modified example, when the lamp 1 becomes defective in operation, if the life of the lamp 2 does not remain, the OFF operation by the system is executed without turning on the lamp 2. (S613, S623) Therefore, it is possible to prevent the lamp 2 from being damaged due to the lamp 2 being turned on with no lifetime.

  Further, according to the processing flow of FIG. 23 of this modified example, when the user performs an ON operation when an OFF operation is performed by the system because the use of the lamp 2 is inappropriate (S612, S613, S623). (S624) Since the lighting start of the lamp 1 is performed (S625), even if it is erroneously determined that the malfunction of the lamp 1 has occurred in S611 for some reason, this is corrected and the use of the lamp 1 is continued. Can do.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the use lamp is switched to the lamp 2 (S614, S615, S616), the user performs an OFF operation (S617), and then the user performs an ON operation (S618). Since the lighting start of the lamp 1 is performed (S626), even if it is erroneously determined in S611 that a malfunction has occurred in the lamp 1 for some reason, this can be corrected and the use of the lamp 1 can be continued.

<Example of changing continuous priority mode>
FIG. 24 is a process flowchart illustrating an example of changing the continuation priority mode. In this process flowchart, step S613 is omitted compared to the process flowchart of FIG. 23, and the other process flowcharts are the same as those in FIG.

  In this modified example, if the lamp 2 is a non-defective product in S612, the lamp 2 is turned on regardless of whether the lamp 2 has a remaining life. That is, when the lamp 1 becomes defective (S611), if the lamp 2 is a non-defective product (S612), the lighting of the lamp 2 is started regardless of whether the lifetime has remained (S614), and the lamp 2 is turned on. If so, the lamp 2 is used (S615). Therefore, image projection can be continued when the lamp 1 is burned out, and user convenience can be improved.

  In addition to the modification examples described above, the present embodiment can be variously modified.

  For example, in the above embodiment, a projector capable of mounting two lamp units is taken as an example, but the number of lamp units mounted may be one, or may be three or more. The lamp unit according to the present invention can also be applied to products other than projectors. When three or more lamp units are arranged, in the automatic switching mode, an order may be set for each lamp, and the lamp unit to be used may be changed according to this order. In the life priority mode, when the life of the lamp to be used is exhausted or malfunction occurs, for example, the remaining lamp has a remaining life and is closer to a good product (complete malfunction). Switch to (except). Furthermore, in the continuous priority mode, when the lamp to be used has reached the end of its life or when a malfunction occurs, for example, if this lamp is not completely malfunctioning (and associate malfunction), it will continue to light. For example, the remaining lamps may be switched to lamps that are closer to non-defective products (excluding complete malfunction).

  In the above embodiment, two types of data shown in FIG. 11B are shown as the lamp management information for managing the lamp unit. However, other information can be included in the lamp management information. It is. For example, information for identifying the lamp, such as the model number of the lamp, and information regarding the characteristics of the lamp, such as the illuminance and color unevenness of the lamp, can be included as the lamp management information.

  In addition, information regarding the name of the lamp unit, the use start date, the operation state, and the like can be appropriately included in the lamp management information by the user. Such information can be input, for example, via the operation unit of the projector, or can be written from a personal computer via a dedicated interface. In this way, the user can appropriately confirm the unique information of the lamp unit, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

  It is desirable that such information can be presented to the user through a user menu or the like together with the accumulated time data (used accumulated time) and usage history data (operation failure state). In this way, the user can smoothly select each mode and the lamp used in the manual switching mode. In addition, it is desirable to notify the user of the malfunction determination result from time to time using an indicator or the like for notifying lamp replacement. In this way, the user can accurately know the lamp failure.

  In the present embodiment, it is desirable that the cooling device 4 is configured to selectively and intensively cool one of the two lamp units 10a and 10b. In this case, the cooling device 4 is controlled to cool the used lamp unit in conjunction with the lamp operation unit 66.

  In the above embodiment, when the user replaces the lamp unit, a lamp cover (not shown) formed in the cabinet 1 is opened. In this case, lighting of the lamp in a state where the lamp cover is opened must be avoided from the viewpoint of safety. Therefore, in the above embodiment, detection means for detecting opening and closing of the lamp cover The lamp is controlled so that the lamp is not lit when the lamp cover is open.

  Therefore, in the above-described embodiment, the non-lighting of the lamp in a state where the lamp cover is open is determined as a malfunction and is controlled not to be stored in the storage units 62 to 71a and 71b. In other words, the malfunction determination unit 68 is in a malfunctioning state even when the lighting / extinction detection unit does not detect the lighting of the lamp when the detection unit detects that the lamp cover is open. Not determined.

  In addition, the embodiment of the present invention can be variously modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical idea shown in the claims.

10a, 10b ... Lamp unit 54 ... Controller 66 ... Lamp operation section (operation section)
66a ... Mode setting section (setting section)
67 ... Life judgment unit (operational unit)
68... Operation failure determination section (failure determination section)

Claims (1)

In an image display device that lights up one of the first or second lamps and modulates and projects the illumination light generated by lighting one lamp,
A manual switching mode in which the lamp selected by the user is used as a lighting lamp, and an automatic switching mode in which the first and second lamps are automatically switched;
Regardless of whether the current mode is the manual switching mode or the automatic switching mode, the accumulated operating time of the lamp that is currently turned on exceeds the predetermined life reference time Until the user stops using the lamp, the lamp that is currently turned on is kept on and the lamp that is in use can be displayed to indicate that it has reached the end of its life. A video display device characterized by comprising: