Projector and method for controlling projector

Abstract

A projector (101) includes a projection lens, a light source, an arithmetic processing unit (106) for determining a light source output of the light source, and a light source control unit (103) for controlling the light source so as to turn the light on in accordance with the light source output. The arithmetic processing unit (106) compares a light source output upper limit value specified by identification information of the projection lens with a light source output setting value set by a user, and if the light source output setting value is larger than the light source output upper limit value, causes the light source output to be equal to or less than the light source output upper limit value.

Description

Projector and method for controlling the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a projector and a method for controlling a projector.

[0002] Lasers are sometimes used as light sources for projectors. When a laser is used as a light source, various regulations are in place based on the safety of laser beams. For example, the international laser safety standard IEC 62471-5 classifies the projection light of image projectors (projection display devices) into four risk groups (RG). Necessary safety measures for projectors must be taken according to these four risk groups. These four RGs are divided into Exempt Group (RG0), Risk Group 1 (RG1), Risk Group 2 (RG2), and Risk Group 3 (RG3), in order of decreasing risk.

[0003] Incidentally, in projectors with interchangeable projection lenses, even the same projector body may be classified into different risk groups depending on the projection lens. For example, in the case of a projector that is classified into either RG2 or RG3 depending on the interchangeable projection lens, the projector is generally classified into the highest risk group, RG3.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that takes into consideration safety when using a projector, and controls the energy amount of a laser beam that appears on the light emission surface of the zoom lens in accordance with changes in the focal length of the zoom lens so that the energy density per unit area of ​​the laser beam is kept equal to or less than a predetermined value.

[0005] International Publication No. 2010 / 109621

[0006] However, projectors classified as risk group RG3 are required to be installed by trained service personnel. Therefore, depending on the projection lens attached to the projector, even if it is categorized as RG2, it must be installed by a trained service personnel, which creates an issue of poor user convenience.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a projector and a method for controlling a projector that solves the above-mentioned problems.

[0008] A projector according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a projection lens, a light source, an arithmetic processing unit that determines the light source output of the light source, and a light source control unit that controls the light source to turn on at the light source output, wherein the arithmetic processing unit compares a light source output upper limit value identified by identification information of the projection lens with a light source output setting value set by a user, and if the light source output setting value is greater than the light source output upper limit value, sets the light source output to less than or equal to the light source output upper limit value.

[0009] A projector control method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a control method for a projector having a projection lens and a light source, and when a light source output upper limit value identified by identification information of the projection lens is greater than a light source output setting value set by a user, the light source is turned on at a value equal to or less than the light source output upper limit value.

[0010] According to the above aspect, a projector is realized that is capable of taking necessary safety measures for risk groups according to the projection lens attached to the projector.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a projector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing each procedure when control by a projector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is performed. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a projector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing each procedure when control by a projector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is performed. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a projector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing each procedure when control by a projector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is performed. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a projector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or corresponding components in all the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and common descriptions will be omitted.

[0013] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a projector according to a first embodiment. The projector 101 is, for example, a liquid crystal projector or a DLP (Digital Light Processing) (registered trademark) projector. The projector 101 has a storage space inside its housing and is designed to allow a removable projection lens 107 (projection lens). In addition to the projection lens 107, the projector 101 also includes a light source unit 102 (light source), a light source control unit 103, an image display unit 104, an image processing unit 105, an arithmetic processing unit 106, a projection optical control unit 108, an operation receiving unit 109, and a data recording unit 110.

[0014] The light source unit 102 is a solid-state light source equipped with an LED (light-emitting diode) or an LD (semiconductor laser). The light source control unit 103 has a function of adjusting the amount of current driving the light-emitting elements of the light source unit 102, and controls the light source by turning it on and off and adjusting the brightness. The video display unit 104 is a video display device such as a liquid crystal element or a DMD (digital mirror device). The video display unit 104 displays an optical image based on a video signal adjusted by the video processing unit 105. The video processing unit 105 also superimposes an OSD (on-screen display) menu or OSD message on the input video signal and displays it on the video display unit 104. The arithmetic processing unit 106 is composed of a microcontroller including a CPU and RAM, and controls each block and overall functions. The arithmetic processing unit 106 determines the light source output of the light source unit 102. The processing of the light source control unit 103 and the processing of the arithmetic processing unit 106 may be performed by the same processing unit.

[0015] The interchangeable projection lens 107 is a projection lens for enlarging the optical image formed by the image display unit 104, and is detachably attached to the projector 101. The projection optical control unit 108 detects the type (identification information) of the interchangeable projection lens 107. The projection optical control unit 108 also has functions such as zoom magnification adjustment, focus adjustment, and lens shift adjustment of the interchangeable projection lens 107. The operation receiving unit 109 is a main body panel key or remote control light receiving unit that accepts user operations. The data recording unit 110 is a non-volatile memory area for storing various setting values ​​and fixed parameters of the projector 101.

[0016] 1, an input operation 150 indicates an input operation by the user using a panel key or a remote control on the main body of the projector 101. A screen 151 indicates a screen on which an image projected from the projector 101 is displayed.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the steps when control according to this embodiment is performed in the configuration of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1. The processing flow in the first embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

[0018] When the operation receiving unit 109 receives a lighting operation (power ON operation) by the user, it notifies the arithmetic processing unit 106 of the occurrence of the event (step S101). When the arithmetic processing unit 106 receives the lighting operation notification, it acquires identification information of the projection interchangeable lens 107 via the projection optics control unit 108 (step S102). Next, based on the acquired identification information of the projection interchangeable lens 107, the arithmetic processing unit 106 acquires from the data recording unit 110 the maximum light source output value (hereinafter referred to as the RG2 light source output upper limit value) for the projection interchangeable lens 107 that is equal to or less than Risk Group 2 (RG2).

[0019] The calculation processing unit 106 compares the current light source output value set by the user (hereinafter referred to as the light source output setting value) with the RG2 light source output upper limit value (step S103). Note that the "RG2 light source output upper limit value" or "light source output upper limit value" is the upper limit value of the light source output at which a user of the projector can set the light source output of the projector even without special training or knowledge based on a risk group such as RG3. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiment, for Risk Group 3 (RG3), which is riskier than Risk Group 2 (RG2), it is assumed that a trained serviceman will install the projector, so the comparison is made with the RG2 light source output upper limit value at which an untrained user can install the projector themselves.

[0020] If the light source output setting value is less than or equal to the RG2 light source output upper limit (RG2max) (step S103: YES), the calculation processing unit 106 transmits the light source output setting value as is to the light source control unit 103. Then, the light source control unit 103, in accordance with instructions from the calculation processing unit 106, turns on the light source unit 102 so that the intensity of light emitted from the light source (light source output) becomes the light source output setting value (step S104). In other words, the light source unit 102 is turned on without limiting the light source output. Conversely, if the light source output setting value is greater than the RG2 light source output upper limit (step S103: NO), the calculation processing unit 106 transmits the RG2 light source output upper limit to the light source control unit 103, and the light source control unit 103 turns on the light source unit 102 with the light source output limited to or less than the RG2 light source output upper limit (step S105). For example, a correspondence table between the identification information of interchangeable projection lenses and the RG2 light source output upper limit value, as shown in Table 1, is recorded in the data recording unit 110. If the identification information of the currently attached interchangeable projection lens indicates "Lens 2" and the light source output setting value set by the user is 80%, the light source output setting value (80%) is greater than the RG2 light source output upper limit value of 70%, so the light source control unit 103 turns on the light source unit 102 with the light source output limited to the RG2 light source output upper limit value (70%).

[0021]

[0022] When the light source unit 102 is turned on with the light source output limited to or below the RG2 light source output upper limit, the calculation processing unit 106 instructs the image processing unit 105 to display a warning message on the screen 151 onto which the image is projected, indicating that "the light source output is limited due to the risk of Risk Group 3 (RG3), and a service technician must check the installation environment and perform a special operation to release the output limit" (step S106). The warning message may be displayed for a certain period of time and then terminated. Alternatively, the warning message may be displayed after detecting a user's operation to release the limit, which will be described later. The warning message may simply indicate that "the light source output is limited."

[0023] After the warning message is displayed, when the operation receiving unit 109 detects a restriction release operation by the user, it notifies the arithmetic processing unit 106 of the occurrence of the event (step S107). When the arithmetic processing unit 106 confirms the notification of the restriction release operation, it transmits the original light source output setting value intended by the user to the light source control unit 103, and the light source control unit 103 releases the restriction on the light source output by reflecting that output in the light source unit 102 (step S108). In other words, the light source control unit 103 controls the light source unit 102 to output at the light source output setting value.

[0024] As described above, the projector 101 in the first embodiment limits the light source output to the RG2 light source output upper limit value or less only when the light source output is determined to be RG3, based on the identification information of the interchangeable projection lens 107 and the user's setting value. Therefore, even if the compatible interchangeable projection lenses 107 include a lens with a light source output of RG3, general users can install the projector 101, improving the convenience of the projector 101. Furthermore, when limiting the light source output to the RG2 light source output upper limit value or less, a warning message indicating the danger of RG3 is displayed on the projection screen, prompting the user to take necessary safety measures. Here, the necessary safety measures include measures such as lifting the light source output limit and installing the lens by a trained service technician or the like.

[0025] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, even if the operation to release the limitation on the light source output has been performed in the past and the installation environment of the projector has not changed, the next time the projector is turned on, the light source output is unnecessarily limited and a warning message is displayed. In order to solve the above problem, the second embodiment adds additional components and functions to the projector 101 of the first embodiment, thereby further improving convenience.

[0026] 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a projector 201 in the second embodiment. Here, the same components as those in the projector 101 in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the explanation of these components is the same as above. Therefore, only the components added to the projector 101 in the first embodiment will be explained.

[0027] In the configuration of the projector 201 in the second embodiment, an acceleration sensor 111 is further provided to measure the installation attitude of the projector 201. The acceleration sensor 111 is used to determine whether or not there has been a change in the installation environment of the projector 201.

[0028] Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing each procedure when control is performed in the projector 201 shown in Fig. 3. The processing flow in the projector 201 in the second embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Here, the operations of steps S201, S202, S203, and S204 in Fig. 4 are the same as the operations of steps S101, S102, S103, and S104 in Fig. 2, and the operations from step S205 onwards will be described.

[0029] If the light source output setting value is greater than the RG2 light source output upper limit value (step S203: NO), the calculation processing unit 106 searches the data recording unit 110 for information indicating that a restriction release operation was performed the previous time the lamp was turned on (hereinafter, restriction release information) (step S205). If the restriction release information is present (i.e., if a restriction release operation was performed the previous time the lamp was turned on) (step S205: YES), the calculation processing unit 106 determines whether the installation environment has changed since the previous time the lamp was turned on. Specifically, the calculation processing unit 106 compares the current installation orientation acquired from the acceleration sensor 111 with the installation orientation acquired from the data recording unit 110 when the lamp was last turned on, and determines that the installation environment has changed if the difference exceeds a threshold value. Here, the restriction release information can be obtained by, for example, registering specific numbers, letters, or words in a specific register or parameter. Furthermore, the restriction release information is not limited to these methods; any information indicating whether a restriction release operation was performed the previous time the lamp was turned on can be used.

[0030] If the processor 106 determines that the restriction release operation has been performed (step S205: YES) and that the installation environment has not changed (step S206: NO), it transmits the user's light source output setting value to the light source control unit 103 as is, and the light source control unit 103 turns on the light source unit 102 without limiting the light source output in accordance with the instruction from the processor 106 (step S204). Conversely, if the processor 106 has not performed the restriction release operation (step S205: NO) or if the processor 106 determines that the installation environment has changed even though the restriction release operation has been performed (step S206: YES), it transmits the RG2 light source output upper limit value to the light source control unit 103. The light source control unit 103 turns on the light source unit 102 with the light source output limited to or below the RG2 light source output upper limit value (step S208). Furthermore, the processor 106 instructs the image processor 105 to display an RG3 warning message on the screen 151 where the image is projected (step S209). If it is determined that the installation environment has changed (step S206: YES), the calculation processing unit 106 erases the restriction removal information from the data recording unit 110 (step S207), and proceeds to the processing of step S208 and subsequent steps.

[0031] After the warning message is displayed, if the operation receiving unit 109 detects a user's operation to remove the restriction, the operation receiving unit 109 notifies the processing unit 106 of the occurrence of the event (step S210). Upon receiving the notification of the restriction removal operation, the processing unit 106 transmits the original light source output setting value intended by the user to the light source control unit 103, and the light source control unit 103 then reflects the output in the light source unit 102, thereby removing the restriction on the light source output (step S211). Furthermore, the processing unit 106 stores the restriction removal information in the data recording unit 110 to retain it (step S212). If the processing unit 106 does not receive the notification of the restriction removal operation (step S210: NO), the light source control unit 103 leaves the light source unit 102 illuminated with the light source output limited to or below the RG2 light source output upper limit.

[0032] Finally, the processing unit 106 stores the current installation attitude acquired from the acceleration sensor 111 in the data recording unit 110 so that it can be used to determine whether or not there has been a change in the installation environment next time (step S213).

[0033] As described above, the projector 201 in the second embodiment determines whether a restriction release operation has been performed in the past and whether the installation environment has changed, and restricts the light source output and displays a warning message only when necessary, thereby providing a projector that is both convenient and safe.

[0034] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the installation posture can be measured by providing the acceleration sensor 111 in the projector 201, and a change in the installation environment is determined by comparing the installation posture, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a change in the installation environment may be determined using an altitude value measured by a barometric pressure sensor, image information of the screen captured by an image sensor, or the like. Furthermore, the projector 201 may be equipped with one or more of these sensors to determine a change in the installation environment.

[0035] If the interchangeable projection lens 107 to be attached is different from the previous one, it may also be determined that there has been a change in the installation environment. Therefore, the arithmetic processing unit 106 may also store the identification information of the interchangeable projection lens 107 attached in the data recording unit 110 in step S213, i.e., by the time projection by the projector 201 ends. Then, in step S206, the arithmetic processing unit 106 may compare the identification information of the interchangeable projection lens 107 stored in the data recording unit 110 with the identification information of the interchangeable projection lens 107 acquired in step S202, thereby further determining whether there has been a change in the installation environment.

[0036] Third Embodiment In the first and second embodiments, manual operation by a service person is required to release the restriction on the light source output. In order to solve the above problem, the projector in the third embodiment eliminates the need for manual operation by a service person in the projectors shown in the first and second embodiments, thereby further improving convenience.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a projector 301 according to the third embodiment. Here, the same components as those in the projectors shown in the first and second embodiments are assigned the same reference numerals, and these components are the same as those in the other examples. Therefore, only the components added to the projectors shown in the first and second embodiments will be described. The projector 301 according to the third embodiment further includes a communication unit 112 for communicating with an authentication server 170 (described later) via the Internet 160, which serves as a communication channel. The communication unit 112 may be incorporated into the arithmetic processing unit 106.

[0038] The Internet 160 is a communications network that connects the projector 301 and the authentication server 170. The authentication server 170 is operated by the manufacturer of the projector 301, and is provided with a communications unit 171 for communicating with the projector 301 via the Internet 160, and a database 172 in which users can register user information. After checking the RG3 precautions provided by the manufacturer, users can register their user information in the database 172 in the authentication server 170 in advance. The users registered in the database 172 are equivalent to trained service personnel who can install the projector and set the light source output when the risk group is RG3.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the steps performed when control is performed by the projector 301 in the configuration of the projector 301 shown in FIG. 5 . Hereinafter, the processing flow of the projector 301 in the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 . Here, the operations from receiving a user's lighting operation to limiting the light source output to below the RG2 light source output upper limit value or lighting the projector at the light source output setting value are the same as steps S101 to S104 in FIG. 2 and steps S201 to S204 in FIG. 4 , so the operations thereafter will be described. Here, step S301 in FIG. 6 corresponds to the processing from step S105 in FIG. 2 onward. Furthermore, step S301 in FIG. 6 corresponds to the processing from step S208 in FIG. 4 onward. Therefore, the following description will focus on the processing performed when the light source output setting value is greater than the RG2 light source output upper limit value.

[0040] The projector 301 turns on the projector by limiting the light source output to the RG2 light source output upper limit value or less according to the projection interchangeable lens 107 and the light source output setting value (step S301), and displays an RG3 warning message on the projection screen (step S302).

[0041] Next, the projector 301 generates a request to release the limit on the light source output (hereinafter, a limit release request) including the user information, and transmits it from the communication unit 112 to the authentication server 170 via the Internet 160 (step S303). The projector 301 has a function that allows the user to input or set user information. It is also desirable that the user can freely select whether the projector 301 automatically transmits the limit release request to the authentication server 170.

[0042] When the authentication server 170 receives the restriction removal request from the projector 301 via the communication unit 171, it extracts the user information contained therein (step S304). Next, the authentication server 170 checks whether the extracted user information is registered in the database 172 (step S305). If the user information has already been registered in the database 172, the authentication server 170 generates a restriction removal response that includes "Authentication result: Success" or "Authentication result: Failure" if the user information has not been registered in the database 172. The authentication server 170 then transmits the generated restriction removal response from the communication unit 171 to the projector 301 via the Internet 160 (step S306).

[0043] When the projector 301 receives the restriction release response from the authentication server 170 via the communication unit 112, it extracts the authentication result included in the restriction release response (step S307). Subsequently, the projector 301 applies the original light source output setting value intended by the user and releases the restriction on the light source output only if the extracted authentication result is successful (step S308).

[0044] On the other hand, if the projector 301 does not receive a restriction removal response from the authentication server 170, or if the authentication result included in the restriction removal response is unsuccessful, the projector 301 does not remove the restriction on the light source output. In such a case, the projector 301 may set the light source output value to be equal to or less than the RG2 light source output upper limit value and end the process. Alternatively, the projector 301 may proceed to the process from step S106 shown in FIG. 2, or to the process from step S209 shown in FIG. 4.

[0045] As described above, in the projector 301 of the third embodiment, if the user registers user information in advance in the authentication server 170, even if a warning message is displayed while limiting the light source output to the RG2 light source output upper limit value or less, the light source output limit can be automatically released without a service technician manually performing the operation to release the limit. Therefore, a more convenient projector can be provided.

[0046] 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a projector 401 according to a fourth embodiment. The projector 401 includes a projection lens 402, a light source 403, an arithmetic processing unit 404 that determines the light source output of the light source 403, and a light source control unit 405 that controls the light source 403 to light up at the light source output. The arithmetic processing unit 404 compares a light source output upper limit value identified by identification information of the projection lens 402 with a light source output setting value set by the user, and if the light source output setting value is greater than the light source output upper limit value, sets the light source output to a value equal to or less than the light source output upper limit value.

[0047] 1, 3, 5, and 7 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be loaded into a computer system and executed to control the projector externally. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The term "computer-readable recording medium" also refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. The term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes devices that retain a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) within a computer system that acts as a server or client when the program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line.

[0048] The program may also be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The program may also be a program that realizes part of the aforementioned functions. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can realize the aforementioned functions in combination with a program already stored in the computer system.

[0049] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0050] 101, 201, 301, 401 Projector 102 Light source unit 103, 405 Light source control unit 104 Image display unit 105 Image processing unit 106, 404 Arithmetic processing unit 107 Interchangeable projection lens 108 Projection optical control unit 109 Operation receiving unit 110 Data recording unit 111 Acceleration sensor 112 Communication unit 160 Internet 170 Authentication server 171 Communication unit 172 Database 402 Projection lens 403 Light source

Claims

1. A projector comprising a projection lens, a light source, a processing unit that determines the light source output of the light source, and a light source control unit that controls the light source to light up at the light source output, wherein the processing unit compares a light source output upper limit value identified by identification information of the projection lens with a light source output setting value set by a user, and when the light source output setting value is greater than the light source output upper limit value, reduces the light source output to less than the light source output upper limit value.

2. The projector according to claim 1, wherein a warning message is projected when the light source output setting value is greater than the light source output upper limit value.

3. The projector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the arithmetic processing unit sets the light source output to the light source output setting value when detecting a restriction release operation by the user.

4. The projector according to claim 1, wherein, if there is restriction release information indicating that the user performed a restriction release operation the last time the projector was turned on and there is no change in the installation environment of the projector, the calculation processing unit sets the light source output to the light source output setting value.

5. The projector according to claim 1, wherein if there is restriction release information indicating that the user performed a restriction release operation the last time the projector was turned on, and if there is a change in the installation environment of the projector, the restriction release information is erased.

6. The projector according to claim 5, further comprising: upon detecting a restriction release operation by the user, a process of setting up the restriction release information.

7. A projector according to any one of claims 4 to 6, comprising at least one of an acceleration sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, and an image sensor, and wherein the arithmetic processing unit determines changes in the installation environment using output values ​​of the provided sensors.

8. The projector according to claim 7, wherein when determining a change in the installation environment using the output value of the provided sensor, the calculation processing unit determines the change in the installation environment by comparing the saved installation environment of the projector with the installation environment based on the output value of the provided sensor.

9. The projector according to claim 8, wherein the arithmetic processing unit stores the installation environment using the output values ​​of the sensors provided until use of the projector is finished.

10. The projector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the arithmetic processing unit and the light source control unit are the same processing unit.

11. The projector of claim 1, wherein, when the light source output setting value is greater than the light source output upper limit value, the calculation processing unit inquires of the authentication server whether the user is a user pre-registered in the authentication server, and if the user is a pre-registered user, sets the light source output to the light source output setting value.

12. A control method for a projector having a projection lens and a light source, wherein, when the light source output upper limit value specified by the identification information of the projection lens is greater than the light source output setting value set by the user, the light source is turned on at a value equal to or less than the light source output upper limit value.

13. The projector control method according to claim 12, further comprising projecting a warning message when the light source output setting value is greater than the light source output upper limit value.

14. The projector control method according to claim 13, wherein, when a restriction release operation by the user is detected, the light source is turned on at the light source output setting value.

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