JPH10307331A - Image projection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image projection device constituted so that an image picked up with presence and accumulated image data can be projected in addition to the image of an image sheet and the plural kinds of images can be projected by being synthesized and superimposed. SOLUTION: This device is constituted so that modulated light 9b modulated by the image sheet 11 on which the picture image is formed is reflected by a reflection type liquid crystal panel 2 and displayed on a screen 13. Besides, it is provided with the accumulation device 6 of the image data, an image pickup part 20, a means 5 reproducing and displaying the accumulated image data on the panel 2 and a means 4 displaying the picked-up image on the panel 2. Then, the image obtained based on the image data, the picked-up image and the picture image formed on the sheet 11 are displayed on the screen 13 by being synthesized and superimposed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image projection device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an OHP (overhead projector) has been widely used as a device for projecting an image (image sheet) drawn on a flat transparent sheet onto a large screen. Such a projection device has a structure in which light emitted from a light source is made into parallel light by a lens, transmitted through an image sheet, and further reflected by a reflecting mirror to enlarge a diverged light beam and project it on a large screen. Has become.

In recent years, there has been a demand for enlarging an electronic image by a computer or the like and projecting the image on a screen. Is displayed on the reflection type liquid crystal light modulation element, and the reflection light is modulated by the image displayed on the liquid crystal by reflecting the light flux from the light source transmitted through the image sheet by the reflection type liquid crystal light modulation element. A configuration for projecting this on a screen has been proposed.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a projector in which such a reflection type liquid crystal panel is incorporated as a reflector. According to FIG. 5, light rays emitted from a light source 204 in a frame 203 of the projector 200 are shown. Is transmitted through an OHP sheet 208, is stopped down by a lens 205, and enters a reflective liquid crystal panel 206, is reflected there, is enlarged by an optical system 207, and is projected on a screen 209.

On the other hand, a personal computer 201 is connected to the reflective liquid crystal panel 206 via a connection line 202, and an image emitted by the personal computer 201 is displayed on the reflective liquid crystal panel 206.

As a result, the light beam modulated by the image drawn on the OHP sheet 208 by transmitting through the OHP sheet 208 is displayed on the reflection type liquid crystal panel 206 when reflected on the reflection type liquid crystal panel 206. When the light beams modulated by both images are modulated by the images and projected onto the screen 209, both images are superimposed and appear on the screen 209. In this way, the image emitted from the personal computer 201 is combined with the image on the OHP sheet and enlarged and projected.

[0007]

Although such a function is convenient, it is still insufficient in function. For example, in a site such as a venue where an image projection device is used, during use in a presentation or the like, in addition to projecting an image sheet, there is a case where it is desired to enlarge and project a raw image of an object or a subject on a screen on the spot. The conventional configuration cannot satisfy such a function. Furthermore, the function of synthesizing or superimposing an image formed by an image sheet and an image captured in real time on the spot and projecting the image on a screen has not been realized. In addition, the conventional image projection apparatus configured to project an image sheet does not have a function of recording and accumulating an image captured in a realistic manner as described above.

Further, there are cases where a plurality of images are to be projected and displayed alternately or randomly or in time series, as in a conventional slide projector using an optical film.
Further, there is a case where it is desired to arbitrarily reproduce and display various image data accumulated in the past at a desired time.
Conventionally, a computer stores multiple image data,
A configuration was possible in which projection was performed on a screen by sending the images to a reflection type liquid crystal panel and displaying them in sequence. However, such a configuration required a personal computer to be connected to the projection device, which caused a problem in mobility. there were.

[0009] Further, three types of images, that is, an image formed by an image sheet, an image captured in real time on the spot, and an image formed by various image data stored in the past are synthesized or superimposed on a screen. The function of projecting has not been realized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art. The present invention is not limited to image sheets, but also includes images taken in real time, projection of accumulated image data, and a plurality of types of images. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image projection device capable of combining / superimposing projection of images.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, an image projection apparatus according to the present invention modulates a light beam emitted from a light source by an image sheet on which an image is placed, and modulates the light beam. In an image projector that reflects light on a reflective liquid crystal panel and displays it on a screen, the image projector has a function of storing image data and a function of reproducing and displaying the stored image data on the reflective liquid crystal panel,
By reproducing and displaying the stored image data on the reflective liquid crystal panel, an image based on the image data and an image image on the image sheet can be superimposed and displayed on the screen. And

With the above arrangement, it is possible to combine and superimpose two types of images, that is, an image based on the stored image data and an image placed on an image sheet.

Alternatively, the image projection device according to the present invention comprises:
In an image projector that modulates a light beam emitted from a light source by an image sheet on which an image image is placed, reflects the modulated light on a reflective liquid crystal panel, and displays the modulated light on a screen, an image capturing function and the captured image Is displayed on the reflective liquid crystal panel, and the captured image data is displayed on the reflective liquid crystal panel, so that the captured image and the image placed on the image sheet are displayed on the screen. And can be displayed by being superimposed.

According to the above configuration, the image captured in the actual use during use and the image captured on the image sheet are
Combination / superimposition display of two types of images becomes possible.

Alternatively, the image projection apparatus according to the present invention
Having both the image data storage function and the imaging function,
A function of reproducing and displaying the accumulated image data on the reflective liquid crystal panel and a function of displaying the captured image on the reflective liquid crystal panel; and an image based on the image data and the captured image. And the image image on the image sheet can be superimposed on the screen so that the image can be displayed on the screen. And three types of images can be combined / superimposed and displayed on the image sheet.

Further, in the image projection apparatus according to the present invention, the light beam emitted from the light source is modulated by an image sheet on which an image is placed, and the modulated light is reflected by a reflective liquid crystal panel and displayed on a screen. In the image projector, a main body and an imaging unit detachable from the main body are included, the main body includes at least the light source, and the imaging unit has at least a function of storing image data and the stored image data. A function of reproducing and displaying the image on the reflective liquid crystal panel, an image capturing function, a function of displaying the captured image on the reflective liquid crystal panel, and the reflective liquid crystal panel. The image capturing unit is mounted on the main body. Sometimes, a light beam emitted from the light source and modulated by the image sheet is reflected by the reflective liquid crystal panel. Characterized by being configured to be.

According to the above configuration, the imaging unit of the present invention can be detached from the main body and used like a conventional small-sized imaging device such as an integrated video camera or an electronic still camera.

[0018]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment described below is a part of a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
Although various limitations that are preferable in terms of the technical configuration are given, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specified in the following description.

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a first embodiment of the image projection apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main part of the image projection apparatus shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, an image projection apparatus A according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a light source 9 disposed below a sheet table 12 on which an image sheet 11 is placed, and a light source 9 above the light source 9. An optical system 8 that is provided to convert the light beam into parallel light, an optical system 8 that reduces the light beam 9b transmitted by the image sheet 11 with the parallel light,
The display device includes a reflective liquid crystal panel 2 for reflecting the focused light beam, and a projection optical system 10 for enlarging light reflected by the reflective liquid crystal panel 2 and projecting the reflected light onto a screen 13.

The reflection type liquid crystal panel 2 has a video RA
M3 is connected. Thereby, the video RAM 3
Can be displayed on the reflection type liquid crystal panel 2 as it is.

Further, a video cassette 6 (storage device) as an image data storage device and a data processing means 5 for writing image data reproduced from the video cassette 6 to the video RAM 3 are provided. That is, the data processing means 5 has a function of displaying the stored image data on the reflective liquid crystal panel.

And / or a lens 7 for capturing an object 21, an image sensor 20 for converting an electric signal based on an optical input from the lens 7, and a signal from the image sensor 20 to a video R
Data processing means 4 for writing to the AM 3 is provided. That is, the data processing means 4 has a function of displaying the photographed image data on the reflective liquid crystal panel.

According to the image projection apparatus A, the light emitted from the light source 9 is converted into parallel light by the optical
2 is transmitted through the image sheet 11 placed thereon. Transmitted light 9b modulated by the image on the image sheet 11
Is incident on the reflective liquid crystal panel 2 mounted at an angle of about 45 degrees from the incident direction. Here, the incident light is modulated by an electronic image pattern displayed by the reflective liquid crystal panel 2, reflected in a direction of about 90 degrees from the incident direction, passes through the projection optical system 10, and is enlarged and projected on the screen 13. This is referred to as a first image 31 as shown in FIG.

Here, the image (the second image shown in FIG. 2) stored in the reflective liquid crystal panel 2 by the video cassette 6 and the data processing means 5 for writing the image data reproduced from the video cassette 6 into the video RAM 3 32) is displayed, the screen 13 displays the image (first image 31) of the image sheet 11 and the stored image (second image 31).
The image 32) and the image 32) are superimposed and projected.

Alternatively, the lens 7, the image pickup device 20, and the image pickup device 20
When the captured image (the third image 33 shown in FIG. 2) is displayed by the data processing means 4 that writes the signal from the video RAM 3 into the video RAM 3, the image (first image) of the image sheet 11 is displayed on the screen 13. An image 31) and an image of the captured subject 21 (third image 33) are superimposed and projected.

Further, a video cassette 6, data processing means 5 for writing image data reproduced from the video cassette 6 to the video RAM 3, a lens 7 capturing an object 21, an image sensor 20, Element 2
When the stored image and the captured image are combined and displayed by the data processing unit 4 that writes the signal from 0 to the video RAM 3, the image of the image sheet 11 (first image 31) is displayed on the screen 13. And a composite image of the stored image (second image 32) and the captured image of the subject 21 (third image 33) are projected in a superimposed manner.

As described above, the image projection apparatus according to the present embodiment can freely set any one of the first to third images 31 to 33 alone or any combination thereof. Can be projected.

As an image data storage device, for example, 8
A mm video cassette unit, an MD recording medium unit, and the like are applied. In addition, as shown in FIG.
If the signal is sent from the data processing means 4 for processing the image signal from the image pickup device 20 to the video cassette 6 which is the storage means, it is possible to immediately record and accumulate the video imaged in real time during use. .

Hereinafter, the reflective liquid crystal panel applied in the configuration of the present invention will be supplementarily described. Reflective liquid crystal panel 2
Is a TN (twisted nematic) configuration or STN
In the case of (super twisted nematic) configuration, a polarizing layer, a reflecting layer provided on the back of the polarizing layer, which reflects incident light in a screen direction, and a transparent electrode provided opposite to the reflecting layer, It has a liquid crystal that is present between the reflective layer and the transparent electrode, and that is in a light transmitting state and a light scattering state according to a signal applied between both layers.

Alternatively, if the liquid crystal layer has a reflective liquid crystal panel structure using PDLC (polymer dispersed liquid crystal),
Liquid crystal droplets containing liquid crystal as fine particles are uniformly dispersed in a transparent polymer medium to form a liquid crystal layer.

The liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between a transparent glass substrate provided with a matrix of transparent electrodes and a semiconductor substrate having a reflective electrode as a reflective surface, and these electrodes apply an electric field to the liquid crystal layer. ing. On the surface of the semiconductor substrate, MOSFETs corresponding to each pixel one by one.
Are formed in a matrix.

Further, for color display, a color filter is provided on the reflective electrode, and R, G, and B color filters are provided one for each of three adjacent MOSFETs. By displaying as, full-color display is achieved.

When an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer, MOSFE
When T is turned on, a voltage is applied to the reflective electrode,
An electric field is applied between the transparent electrode on the glass substrate side. Due to this electric field, the orientation of the dispersed liquid crystal droplets is aligned, the transmittance is increased, and the liquid crystal droplets become transparent. As a result, light incident from the glass substrate is totally reflected by the reflection electrode, and becomes reflected light from the glass substrate to the outside.

As described above, the pixel to which the electric field is applied is in a state of total reflection when viewed from the glass substrate side. On the other hand, in the liquid crystal layer of the pixel to which no electric field is applied, the state in which the orientation of the liquid crystal droplet points in various directions is maintained, and thus the light transmittance is low. Therefore, the incident light from the glass substrate is scattered light, has low reflectance when viewed from the glass substrate side, and is dark.

The individual MOSFETs forming each pixel are:
A light-dark contrast is formed as described above. This allows the MO of each pixel to correspond to the input image data.
When the on / off of the SFET is controlled, an electronic image pattern is displayed.

Therefore, when a light beam is applied to the liquid crystal panel on which the electronic image pattern is displayed as described above, the reflected light reflected from the liquid crystal panel is modulated by the electronic image pattern. By projecting the reflected light onto the screen, a bright image pattern can be formed on the screen. In particular, when the reflective liquid crystal panel is arranged at an angle and incident light is incident from above, the reflected light forms an image with high contrast.

Further, PDLC has a liquid crystal layer having a transparency of TN.
It is higher than liquid crystal and the like, and the reflectivity of the liquid crystal panel is excellent. Therefore, bright projection is performed. Therefore, by applying PDLC, a high-brightness image can be obtained. Can be improved.

Next, a method for projecting an image using a transmission type liquid crystal panel and an image having insufficient luminance and contrast even with a reflection type liquid crystal panel using the image projection apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

For example, a case where an image of a portable video game machine is projected will be described. In order to save battery life, such video game consoles generally use low-brightness or low-contrast displays, and thus are not suitable for projection. Therefore, these images are photographed using an imaging function. That is, the image of the portable video game machine is taken as the subject 21 and photographed. Then, the image of the portable video game machine is displayed on the reflection type liquid crystal panel by the image projection device.

The image displayed on the reflection type liquid crystal panel of the small image pickup device can be a large projection image with high brightness and high contrast by using the image projection apparatus according to the present invention.
Thus, the image of the portable video game machine is projected on the screen.

That is, the small-sized image pickup device in this case and the image projection mechanism according to the present invention function as a converter for converting a transmission type image into a reflection type image. Or,
It functions as a converter that converts an image on the reflective liquid crystal panel with low luminance / low contrast display into a reflective image with high luminance and high contrast.

Next, a second embodiment of the image projection apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic front view thereof, and FIG. 4 is a schematic front view showing an example of its use state.

In both figures, the image projection apparatus A1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention comprises a main body P and an imaging unit U which is detachable from the main body P. The main body P has a light source 9,
An optical system 8, a seat table 12, a projection optical system 10, and the like are provided.

The imaging unit U has a video RAM 3,
A video cassette 6 and data processing means 5 for writing image data reproduced from the video cassette 6 to the video RAM 3
And a lens 7 capturing an object 21, an image sensor 20, and data processing means 4 for writing a signal from the image sensor 20 to the video RAM 3.

Also, as shown in FIG.
Locking portions R1 to R5 for fitting and locking the imaging unit U are provided. These locking portions R1 to R5 are arranged such that, when the imaging unit U is mounted on the main body P, the light emitted from the light source and modulated by the image sheet is reflected by the reflective liquid crystal panel.

Therefore, when the imaging unit U is detached from the main body P, it can be used like a small-sized imaging device such as an integrated video camera or an electronic still camera.

On the contrary, a reflection type liquid crystal panel such as an integrated video camera or an electronic still camera, and / or a reflection type liquid crystal panel provided in a small image pickup device equipped with image storage means is used as a reflection mirror at the time of projection. As well as playing back captured and stored images, it can be applied as an image source for projection. That is, a conventional integrated video camera or electronic still camera equipped with a reflective liquid crystal panel can be applied as the imaging unit of the present invention.

[0049]

As described in detail above, claim 1 of the present invention
The image projection device according to the above, the image data storage function,
Since it has a function of reproducing and displaying the stored image data on the reflective liquid crystal panel, by reproducing and displaying the stored image data on the reflective liquid crystal panel,
The image based on the image data and the image image on the image sheet can be combined and superimposed on the screen and displayed.

An image projection apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises:
Since it has an imaging function and a function of displaying a captured image on a reflective liquid crystal panel, by displaying captured image data on a reflective liquid crystal panel,
The captured image and the image image on the image sheet can be displayed on the screen by combining / overlapping them.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image projection apparatus comprising:
Having both a function of storing image data and a function of capturing an image, and a function of reproducing and displaying the stored image data on a reflective liquid crystal panel and a function of displaying a captured image on a reflective liquid crystal panel Therefore, three types of images, that is, an image based on the accumulated image data, a captured image, and an image placed on an image sheet, can be displayed on the screen in a superimposed manner.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image projection apparatus comprising:
A light beam emitted from a light source is modulated by an image sheet on which an image is placed, and the modulated light is reflected by a reflective liquid crystal panel to be displayed on a screen. Configure.
The main unit has at least a light source built-in, while the imaging unit has at least a function of storing image data, a function of reproducing and displaying the stored image data on a reflective liquid crystal panel, an image capturing function, and a function of reflecting a captured image. And a reflective liquid crystal panel. Further, when the imaging unit is mounted on the main body, a light beam emitted from the light source and modulated by the image sheet is reflected by the reflective liquid crystal panel.

Thus, the imaging unit can be detached from the main body and used like a conventional small-sized imaging device such as an integrated video camera or an electronic still camera.

Conversely, a reflection type liquid crystal panel such as an integrated video camera or an electronic still camera, and / or a reflection type liquid crystal panel provided in a small image pickup device equipped with image storage means is used as a reflection mirror for projection. As well as playing back captured and stored images, it can be applied as an image source for projection. That is, a conventional integrated video camera or electronic still camera equipped with a reflective liquid crystal panel can be applied as the imaging unit of the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a first embodiment of an image projection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main part of the image projection apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of a second embodiment of the image projection device according to the present invention.

4 is a schematic front view of the image projection device shown in FIG. 3 when an imaging unit is removed.

FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of a conventional image projection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

A: Image projection device, 2: Reflective liquid crystal panel, 3: Video RAM, 4: Data processing means, 5: Data processing means, 6
... Video cassette (storage device), 7 ... Lens, 8 ... Optical system, 9 ... Light source, 9b ... Light flux, 10 ... Projection optical system, 11 ...
Image sheet, 12 ... Seat base, 13 ... Screen, 20
... Imaging element, 21 ... Subject.

Claims (4)

[Claims] An image projector that modulates a light beam emitted from a light source by an image sheet on which an image is placed, reflects the modulated light on a reflective liquid crystal panel, and displays the modulated light on a screen. And a function of reproducing and displaying the stored image data on the reflective liquid crystal panel. By reproducing and displaying the stored image data on the reflective liquid crystal panel, an image based on the image data and An image projection device, wherein an image image on an image sheet can be displayed by being superimposed on the screen. 2. An image projector in which a light beam emitted from a light source is modulated by an image sheet on which an image is placed, and the modulated light is reflected by a reflective liquid crystal panel and displayed on a screen. A function of displaying the captured image on the reflective liquid crystal panel; and displaying the captured image data on the reflective liquid crystal panel, thereby displaying the captured image and an image on the image sheet. And an image display device, which can be displayed by superimposing them on the screen. 3. A function of combining the image data accumulation function and the imaging function, and a function of reproducing and displaying the accumulated image data on the reflection type liquid crystal panel, and providing the image taken on the reflection type liquid crystal panel. 2. The image display device according to claim 1, further comprising a display function, wherein an image based on the image data, the captured image, and an image image on the image sheet are superimposed on the screen and can be displayed.
Or the image projection device according to 2. 4. An image projector that modulates a light beam emitted from a light source by an image sheet on which an image is placed, reflects the modulated light on a reflective liquid crystal panel, and displays the modulated light on a screen. A main body including at least the light source, the imaging unit having at least a function of storing image data, and reproducing and displaying the stored image data on the reflective liquid crystal panel; And a function of displaying the captured image on the reflective liquid crystal panel, and a function of displaying the captured image on the reflective liquid crystal panel.When the imaging unit is mounted on the main body, the light is emitted from the light source, and A light beam modulated by the image sheet is reflected by the reflective liquid crystal panel. Image projection apparatus.