JP4991149B2 - Lamp control apparatus and lamp control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling the output of a lamp power supply that supplies electric power to a lamp, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for controlling the output of a lamp power supply mounted on a projector.

  Generally, a projector is configured such that lamps having different capacities and performances can be used (see Patent Document 1). For example, in a projector, a lamp with a large capacity is used when projecting an image on a large screen, and a lamp with a small capacity is used when projecting an image on a small screen. In such a usage pattern, in order to keep the brightness of the image projected on the screen at a specified brightness, it is necessary to adjust the driving current and power of the lamp according to the capacity of the lamp used. .

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a general lamp control device that can adjust the driving current and power of the lamp. Referring to FIG. 7, the lamp control device includes an igniter 40 that applies a high voltage ignition voltage to the lamp 50, a lamp power supply 10 that generates a charge voltage for generating the ignition voltage and supplies the charge voltage to the igniter 40, 50 includes an adjustment circuit 20 for adjusting the current or voltage supplied to 50, and an ammeter 30 that measures the output current of the lamp power supply 10 and displays the measured value. As the lamp 50, lamps having different capacities and performances can be used. When adjusting the brightness of the lamp 50, the user adjusts the output of the lamp power supply 10 with the adjustment circuit 20 while observing the ammeter 30. In this adjustment, the user must be careful not to exceed the maximum ratings (maximum rated current, maximum rated voltage, maximum rated power) of the lamp 50 to be used.
JP 2003-203791 A

  The lamp is a consumable item, and after the usable time when the lamp can emit light at the specified brightness, the lamp is replaced with a new one. In order to reduce operating costs as much as possible, consumers want to use low-priced lamps, if any, other than those specified by the projector manufacturer. However, in the conventional lamp control device described above, if the user is careful not to exceed the maximum rating of the lamp, the output of the lamp power supply is adjusted. In such a case, the lamp may be broken or damaged. In particular, a general consumer who does not have knowledge about the detailed specifications of the lamp is likely to make such an operation error. For this reason, it was difficult for consumers to actually use an inexpensive lamp even if it was available.

Further, the user, when adjusting the output of the lamp power supply, not only the maximum rating, the minimum rating (minimum drive current and minimum supply power) required for driving the lamps need to be aware. Also be adjusted with an awareness of such minimum rating, which is a factor that increases the burden on the user. Incidentally, to be driven lamps above minimum rating, it is not possible to obtain stable light emission.

  Further, in a projector used in a movie theater, it is necessary to adjust the output of the lamp power source every time it is shown. It is troublesome and burdensome for the user to adjust the brightness while paying attention to the absolute rating (maximum rating and minimum rating) of the lamp each time it is screened.

  In addition, when the lamp is used for several hundred hours, the light emission ability is lowered. Some projectors have an adjustment function to increase driving current or supply power for an old lamp that has been used for several hundred hours in consideration of such a decrease in light emission capability. In a projector having such an adjustment function, even if the user adjusts the brightness while paying attention to the absolute rating of the lamp, the drive current or the supply power is reduced due to the amplification of the drive current or the supply power by the adjustment function. The maximum rating of the lamp may be exceeded. Note that it is difficult for the user to determine the amplification of the drive current or supply power by the adjustment function.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a lamp control device that solves the above-described problems and allows a user to adjust brightness without being aware of lamp performance.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an operation unit capable of inputting and specifying information, a lamp power source that supplies power to the lamp, and a plurality of lamps that can be used as the lamp. A storage unit in which rated data (data such as maximum rating and minimum rating) is stored in association with lamp identification information capable of identifying the lamp, and the lamp set through the operation unit when performing steady operation Controlling the output of the lamp power supply based on the brightness data for determining the lighting brightness of, obtaining the absolute rating data corresponding from the storage unit based on the lamp identification information specified through the operation unit, And a control unit for controlling the output of the lamp power supply so as to be within the range of the acquired absolute rating data.

According to the above configuration, when the user specifies lamp identification information (for example, lamp name) of the lamp to be used through the operation unit, the control unit acquires the absolute rating data of the lamp to be used from the storage unit. The lamp power supply output is controlled with reference to the obtained absolute rating data. For example, when the absolute rating data includes the maximum rated values of the lamp driving current, the lamp driving voltage, and the lamp power, the control unit monitors the output state of the lamp power supply, and the output current value obtained by the monitoring and A power value is calculated based on the output voltage value, and when at least one of the output current value, the output voltage value, and the calculated power value exceeds the maximum rated value, the output current of the lamp power supply is decreased. . The absolute rating data, the lamp drive current, when containing the respective minimum rated value of the lamp driving voltage and the lamp power control unit monitors the output state of the lamp power supply, the output current value obtained by the monitoring and calculating a power value based on the output voltage value, the output current value, but at least one of the output voltage value and the calculated out power value, when it falls below the minimum rated value, the output current of the lamp power supply Increase. In this way, the output of the lamp power supply is automatically limited within the range of the absolute rating data of the lamp used, so the user should adjust the lamp brightness without being aware of the absolute rating of the lamp. Can do. In addition, since the lamp power output is automatically controlled, it is driven due to the problem of human error such as accidental operation exceeding the maximum rating, and the amplification of drive current or supply power by the adjustment function. There is no problem that the current or supplied power exceeds the maximum rating of the lamp.

  According to the present invention, since the user can adjust the lamp brightness without being aware of the absolute rating of the lamp, the burden on the user accompanying the brightness adjustment when using different lamps with different capacities and performances. Can be reduced more than before.

  In addition, even a general consumer who does not have knowledge about the detailed specifications of the lamp can easily use an inexpensive lamp other than the lamp specified by the projector manufacturer.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a lamp control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the lamp control device is used in a projector that can use lamps having different capacities as the lamp 50, and includes a control unit (CPU) 1, a memory 2, an operation unit 3, and a display unit. 4. A lamp power supply 10 and an igniter 40 are provided.

  The igniter 40 applies a high voltage ignition voltage to the lamp 50. The lamp power supply 10 generates a charge voltage for generating an ignition voltage and supplies it to the igniter 40, and supplies the output state (output current value / output voltage value) of the lamp power supply to the control unit 1. The state detection circuit 10a is provided. As a specific example of this state detection circuit 10a, a small resistor inserted in series in a line through which the output current of the lamp power supply flows, and an A / D converter that outputs a value obtained by A / D converting the voltage value at both ends of the resistor, There is a current detection circuit consisting of

  The memory 2 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor memory, and programs and data (data for controlling the current and voltage supplied to the lamp 50 are necessary for operating the CPU constituting the control unit 1. Is stored). The operation unit 3 includes a touch panel and input keys. On the operation unit 3, the user performs an operation for turning on the lamp 50, an operation for registering and setting data (including brightness adjustment), and the like. The display unit 4 includes a display panel represented by a liquid crystal panel.

The control unit 1 controls each operation in the lamp power source 10, the memory 2, and the display unit 4 in accordance with an input from the operation unit 3. For example, the control unit 1, the absolute rating data indicating the performance of a lamp input by a user through the operation section 3 (lamp drive current, lamp driving voltages, each of the maximum rating and the minimum rating data lamp power) memory 2 Are stored and managed, and the output state of the lamp power supply 10 in operation is displayed on the display unit 4. Further, the control unit 1 acquires the absolute rating data of the lamp designated through the operation unit 3 from the memory 2 and controls the output of the lamp power supply 10 with reference to the acquired absolute rating data.

  The absolute rating data stored in the memory 2 is managed as a database. FIG. 2 shows an example of absolute rating data. As shown in FIG. 2, the absolute rating data is managed by dividing into items such as “lamp name”, “current (A)”, “power (W)”, and “lifetime (h)”. The items of current (A) and “power (W)” are further divided into items such as “minimum”, “standard”, and “maximum”. Here, “minimum” is the minimum rated current and minimum rated power. “Maximum” is the maximum rated current and maximum rated power. “Lifetime (h)” is a usable time during which light can be emitted with a specified brightness.

  Next, the operation of the lamp control device of this embodiment will be specifically described.

[Register absolute rating data]
When the user uses a lamp whose absolute rating data is not registered in the database as the lamp 50, the user registers the absolute rating data of the lamp to be used in the database. In the registration of the absolute rating data, first, the user performs an input operation for registering the absolute rating data on the operation unit 3. In response to this input operation, the control unit 1 reads and executes a program related to the absolute rating data registration process stored in the memory 2 in advance.

  When the absolute rating data registration process is executed, the control unit 1 causes the display unit 4 to display an absolute rating data registration screen. This absolute rating data registration screen is provided with a column for inputting data for each item of the absolute rating data shown in FIG. 2, and the user can enter the required item column through the operation unit 3. Enter the absolute rating data for the lamp used this time. After the data input, when a registration execution button provided on the absolute rating data registration screen is pressed, the control unit 1 registers the input data of each item in the database of the memory 2.

  The absolute rating data may be registered at any time before the lamp is turned on. Here, the user himself / herself registers the absolute rating data of the lamp to be used, but the projector manufacturer registers the absolute rating data of a plurality of usable lamps in the memory 2 in advance. It may be left.

[Ramp control during steady operation]
Next, the control operation of the lamp power supply 10 by the control unit 1 when the projector is turned on and performing steady operation will be described.

  The user performs an input operation for lighting the lamp on the operation unit 3. In response to this input operation, the control unit 1 reads and executes a program related to the lamp control process stored in the memory 2 in advance.

  FIG. 3 shows a procedure of lamp control processing during steady operation. First, the control unit 1 causes the display unit 4 to display a use lamp determination screen including a list of lamp names whose absolute rating data is registered in the memory 2 as a screen for determining a lamp to be used. The user selects and inputs the name of the lamp to be used from the displayed list of lamp names through the operation unit 3 (step S1). If the name of the lamp to be used is not included in the displayed list, the absolute rating data registration process described above is performed.

  When the lamp name is selected, the control unit 1 starts the lamp power supply 10, reads the lamp brightness setting data stored in the memory 2 as the lamp brightness adjustment value at the previous brightness adjustment, and uses the read lamp brightness setting data as the read lamp brightness setting data. Based on this, the output of the lamp power supply 10 is controlled (step S2). Here, the lamp brightness setting data is data for determining the lighting brightness of the lamp after ignition, and specifically, is an output current value of the lamp power supply 10 (that is, a value of a current flowing through the lamp). The control unit 1 stores the lamp brightness adjustment value in the memory 2 as lamp brightness setting data every time brightness adjustment is performed. The memory 2 stores lamp brightness setting data at the time of the last brightness adjustment.

  Subsequently, the control unit 1 acquires the output current value and output voltage value of the lamp power supply 10 as the current lamp driving state through the state detection circuit 10a (step S3), and the electric power applied to the lamp from the acquired value. Is calculated (step S4). Then, the control unit 1 acquires the absolute rating data of the lamp determined in step S1 from the memory 2 (step S5), and the acquired absolute rating data (minimum current value, maximum current value, minimum power value, maximum power value). ) And the output current value acquired in step S3 and the power value calculated in step S4, and whether the output current value and the power value are within a predetermined range with the maximum rating as the upper limit and the minimum rating as the lower limit Judgment is made (step S6). In step S6, specifically, it is determined whether the output current value and the power value do not exceed the maximum rating or are below the minimum rating.

  If it is determined in step S6 that at least one of the current value and the power value exceeds the maximum rating, the control unit 1 decreases the output current value of the lamp power supply 10 by a preset amount (step S7). ). If it is determined in step S6 that at least one of the current value and the power value has fallen below the minimum rating, the control unit 1 increases the output current value of the lamp power supply 10 by a preset amount (step S7). ). After increasing or decreasing the output current value of the lamp power supply 10 in this step 7, the process returns to step 3.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S6 that both the output current value and the power value are not more than the maximum rating and not less than the minimum rating, the process returns to step 3 without performing the output value control in step S7.

  In the lamp control process described above, the control unit 1 may cause the display unit 4 to display the output current value acquired in step S3 and the power value calculated in step S4. By this display, the user can visually confirm the current lamp driving state.

  Further, the amount by which the control unit 1 increases or decreases the output current value of the lamp power supply 10 in step 7 is determined by the specifications of the lamp power supply 10. The lamp power supply is configured so that its output current can be adjusted by a predetermined amount (adjustment range), and the range of increase / decrease in the output current value by the control unit 1 is set with the adjustment range of the lamp power supply as the minimum unit. can do.

[Lamp control operation during lamp brightness adjustment]
Next, a lamp control operation when the user performs an input operation for adjusting the lamp brightness on the operation unit 3 will be described.

  In response to an input operation for adjusting the lamp brightness, the control unit 1 reads and executes a program relating to the lamp control process at the time of lamp brightness adjustment stored in the memory 2 in advance.

  FIG. 4 shows a procedure of lamp control processing at the time of lamp brightness adjustment. An adjustment command for increasing or decreasing the lamp brightness is supplied from the operation unit 3 to the control unit 1 (step S8). The control unit 1 performs control to increase / decrease the output current of the lamp power supply 10 in accordance with the command supplied from the operation unit 3 (step S9). After step S9, the control unit 1 repeats the processes of steps S3 to S7 shown in FIG.

  According to the lamp control device of the present embodiment described above, the output of the lamp power supply 10 is automatically limited within the range of the absolute rating data of the lamp to be used, so that the user is aware of the absolute rating of the lamp. The lamp brightness can be adjusted without doing so. In addition, the drive current or supply power exceeds the maximum rating of the lamp due to the problem of human error such as accidentally operating beyond the maximum rating, or due to amplification of the drive current or supply power by the adjustment function, Such a problem does not occur.

  In addition, the user can adjust the lamp brightness without being aware of the absolute rating of the lamp, so the burden on the user accompanying the brightness adjustment when using different lamps with different capacities and performance is higher than before. Can be reduced.

  In addition, even a general consumer who does not have knowledge about the detailed specifications of the lamp can easily use an inexpensive lamp other than the lamp specified by the projector manufacturer.

(Second Embodiment)
In addition to the processing functions of the lamp control device of the first embodiment, the lamp control device of the present embodiment repeats the monitoring cycle of the output state of the lamp power supply 10 (the processing of steps S3 to S7 shown in FIG. 3). (Corresponding to the interval) according to the output state value (output current value, output voltage value) of the lamp power supply 10 and the calculated power value.

  In the memory 2, a threshold value T1 (T1 ≦ maximum rated value) and monitoring cycle values C1 and C2 (C1> C2) are stored in advance. When comparing with the output current value, the minimum rated value is the minimum rated current, and the maximum rated value is the maximum rated current. When comparing with the output voltage value, the minimum rated value is the minimum rated voltage, and the maximum rated value is the maximum rated voltage. When comparing with the calculated power value, the minimum rated value is the minimum rated power, and the maximum rated value is the maximum rated power. The threshold value T1 and the monitoring cycle values C1 and C2 can be set as appropriate by the user.

  The control unit 1 controls the interval between the monitoring cycles based on the output state value and the calculated power value. FIG. 5 shows a procedure of the monitoring cycle control process performed by the control unit 1. This monitoring cycle control process is executed in parallel with the lamp control process during steady operation and the lamp control process during lamp brightness adjustment described above.

  First, the control unit 1 acquires the output current value and the output voltage value of the lamp power supply in the designated monitoring cycle (step S10). This step S10 corresponds to the lamp power supply state acquisition in step S3 shown in FIG. At the time of start-up, the interval between the monitoring cycles is set to a default value (here, the monitoring cycle value C1).

  Subsequently, the control unit 1 calculates a power value from the output current value and the output voltage value acquired in Step S10 (Step S11). This step S11 corresponds to step S4 shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, the control unit 1 determines whether or not the output state value (output current value and output voltage value) acquired in step S10 and the power value calculated in step S11 are each equal to or less than a threshold value T1 (step S12). When the value is equal to or less than the threshold value T1, the control unit 1 sets the monitoring cycle interval to the monitoring cycle value C1 (step S13). When at least one of the output state value (output current value, output voltage value) acquired in step S10 and the power value calculated in step S11 exceeds the threshold T1, the control unit 1 sets the monitoring cycle interval to the monitoring cycle. A value C2 is set (step S14).

  In the lamp control device of the first embodiment described above, when at least one of the output state value (output current value, output voltage value) and power value exceeds the maximum rating, the state is maintained until the next monitoring cycle. The The period during which the state exceeding the maximum rating is maintained should be as short as possible in view of lamp performance deterioration (including breakage and damage). According to the above monitoring cycle control process, when at least one of the output state value (output current value, output voltage value) and power value approaches the maximum rating (when the threshold value T1 is exceeded), the interval between the monitoring cycles is Since the monitoring cycle value C2 (<C1) is set, the period during which the state exceeding the maximum rating is maintained can be shortened.

  Further, according to the above monitoring cycle control process, when the output state value (output current value, output voltage value) and power value each have a margin with respect to the maximum rating (when the threshold value is equal to or less than the threshold value T1), the monitoring cycle is performed. Is set to the monitoring cycle value C1 (> C2). In this way, by increasing the interval between the monitoring cycles, it is possible to reduce the processing load of the control unit 1. If the interval of the monitoring cycle is shortened, the processing load on the control unit 1 increases accordingly.

(Other embodiments)
In the lamp control devices of the first and second embodiments, the control unit 1 controls the output of the lamp power supply 10 in accordance with a command corresponding to an input operation from the operation unit 3. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the control unit 1 controls the output of the lamp power supply 10 in response to a command from an external control device (operation unit) such as a personal computer.

  FIG. 6 shows the configuration of a system capable of output control by an external control device. Referring to FIG. 6, this system is configured by adding a control device 5 and an external memory 6 to the configuration shown in FIG. The control device 5 is a device such as a dedicated remote controller or a personal computer, and is connected to the control unit 1. The external memory 6 is a storage device represented by a semiconductor memory, and is, for example, a USB memory or a PC card memory. The external memory 6 is connected to the control unit 1. The control unit 1 performs control of output of the lamp power supply 10 and registration of absolute rating data according to a command from the operation unit 3 or the control device 5. Further, the control unit 1 acquires necessary data (including absolute rating data) from the memory 2 or the external memory 6 in accordance with a command from the control device 5 or the operation unit 3.

  The lamp control device of each embodiment described above is an example of the present invention, and the configuration and operation thereof can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, you may use the touchscreen display which comprised the operation part and the display integrally.

  In addition, the lamp performance data is not limited to the items shown in FIG. 2, and conditions that must be observed when using the lamp, such as the operating temperature range, may be added.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the lamp name is used as the lamp identification information. However, the lamp identification information is not limited to the lamp name, and any other identification information can be used as long as the lamp can be identified. It may be used. However, when the user designates a lamp, it is desirable to display the lamp name.

  The lamp control device of the present invention described above can be applied to various projectors. The main configuration of the projector to which the present invention is applied is that the lamp control device according to any of the embodiments described above, the lamp whose drive current is controlled by the lamp control device, and the spatial light illuminated by the light from this lamp It consists of a modulator (for example, a liquid crystal display device) and an optical system for projecting modulated light (including images and videos) generated by this spatial light modulator.

  In addition to the projector, the present invention can be applied to a general system in which a lamp power source is controlled by a CPU.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the lamp | ramp control apparatus which is the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the absolute rating data registered into a database. It is a flowchart which shows one procedure of the lamp control process at the time of steady operation performed by the control part shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows one procedure of the lamp control process at the time of lamp | ramp brightness adjustment performed by the control part shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows one procedure of the monitoring cycle control process performed in the lamp | ramp control apparatus which is the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the lamp | ramp control apparatus which is other embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the general lamp control apparatus which can adjust the drive current and electric power of a lamp | ramp.

Explanation of symbols

1 Control unit (CPU)
2 Memory 3 Operation section 4 Display section 10 Lamp power supply 40 Igniter 50 Lamp

Claims (11)

An operation unit capable of inputting information;
A lamp power supply for supplying power to the lamp;
For a plurality of lamps that can be used as the lamp, absolute rating data indicating each performance is stored in association with lamp identification information that can identify the lamp; and
When performing steady operation, the lamp identification information specified through the operation unit is controlled by controlling the output of the lamp power source based on the luminance data for determining the lighting luminance of the lamp set through the operation unit. And a control unit that acquires the corresponding absolute rating data from the storage unit and controls the output of the lamp power source so as to be within the range of the acquired absolute rating data. Control device. The absolute rating data includes respective maximum rated values of lamp driving current, lamp driving voltage and lamp power,
The control unit monitors an output state of the lamp power supply, calculates a power value based on an output current value and an output voltage value obtained by the monitoring, and outputs the output current value, the output voltage value, and the calculated power. The lamp control device according to claim 1, wherein when at least one of the values exceeds the maximum rated value, the output current of the lamp power supply is reduced.   When the output current value, the output voltage value, and the calculated power value are all equal to or less than a reference value, the control unit monitors the output state of the lamp power supply in a first monitoring cycle, and outputs the output When at least one of the current value, the output voltage value, and the calculated power value exceeds the reference value, the output state of the lamp power supply is monitored in a second monitoring cycle shorter than the first monitoring cycle. The lamp control device according to claim 2, which is performed. The absolute rating data includes a minimum rated value of each of the lamp driving current, the lamp driving voltage, and the lamp power,
The control unit monitors an output state of the lamp power supply, calculates a power value based on an output current value and an output voltage value obtained by the monitoring, and outputs the output current value, the output voltage value, and the calculated power. The lamp control device according to claim 1, wherein the output current of the lamp power supply is increased when at least one of the values falls below the minimum rated value.   The control unit stores the absolute rating data indicating the performance of the lamp that can be used as the lamp, which is input from the operation unit, and lamp identification information that can identify the usable lamp in the storage unit in association with each other. The lamp control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The lamp control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A lamp whose driving current is controlled by the lamp control device;
A spatial light modulator illuminated with light from the lamp;
A projector having an optical system for projecting image light generated by the spatial light modulator. A method of controlling the output of a lamp power supply that supplies power to a lamp,
A control unit storing absolute rating data indicating the performance of each of the plurality of lamps usable as the lamp in a storage unit in association with lamp identification information capable of identifying the lamp;
When the control unit is performing a steady operation , the control unit controls the output of the lamp power source based on the luminance data for determining the lighting brightness of the lamp set through the operation unit, and is designated through the operation unit. A second step of acquiring the corresponding absolute rating data from the storage unit based on the lamp identification information and controlling the output of the lamp power source so as to be within the range of the acquired absolute rating data. Lamp control method. The absolute rating data includes respective maximum rated values of lamp driving current, lamp driving voltage and lamp power,
In the second step, the control unit monitors an output state of the lamp power supply, calculates a power value based on an output current value and an output voltage value obtained by the monitoring, and outputs the output current value, the output The lamp control method according to claim 7, further comprising a step of reducing an output current of the lamp power supply when at least one of the voltage value and the calculated power value exceeds the maximum rated value.   When the output current value, the output voltage value, and the calculated power value are all below a reference value, the control unit monitors the output state of the lamp power supply in a first monitoring cycle, and outputs the output When at least one of the current value, the output voltage value, and the calculated power value exceeds the reference value, the output state of the lamp power supply is monitored in a second monitoring cycle shorter than the first monitoring cycle. The lamp control method according to claim 8, further comprising a third step of performing. The absolute rating data includes a minimum rated value of each of the lamp driving current, the lamp driving voltage, and the lamp power,
In the second step, the control unit monitors an output state of the lamp power supply, calculates a power value based on an output current value and an output voltage value obtained by the monitoring, and outputs the output current value, the output The lamp control method according to claim 7, further comprising a step of increasing an output current of the lamp power supply when at least one of the voltage value and the calculated power value falls below the minimum rated value.   In the first step, the control unit receives absolute rating data indicating the performance of the lamp that can be used as the lamp, and lamp identification information that can identify the usable lamp, which is input from the operation unit. The lamp control method according to claim 7, comprising a step of associating and storing in the storage unit.

Images