JP5126489B2 - Projector, control system, and control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a control system, a projector, and a control method for adjusting the luminance of a light source.

For example, when projecting one image using a plurality of projectors, it is necessary to make the brightness of each image uniform. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-347775 describes adjusting the brightness of an image by controlling a light source. Such light source control generally employs two-level (rated and rated × 80%) power control, and thus cannot be finely adjusted. In addition, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-90645, a method of adjusting the brightness by measuring a projected image with a luminance sensor has been proposed.
JP 2004-347775 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-90645

  However, when one image is projected using a plurality of projectors, for example, a presentation or the like is performed in a large venue such as an exhibition hall or a concert hall, and the usage situation varies. That is, in such a venue, it is difficult to realize a dark room environment, and when a method of adjusting the brightness by measuring the projected image with a luminance sensor is used, the influence of ambient light etc. It is possible that the brightness of the image cannot be adjusted appropriately.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a projector, a control system, and a control method capable of more appropriately adjusting the brightness of an image when using a plurality of projectors.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a projector according to the present invention includes a luminance information generation unit that measures the luminance of a light source and generates first luminance information indicating the luminance, and the luminance information of the light source based on the luminance information. Based on a target value information generation unit that generates target value information indicating a target value, a light source driving unit that can adjust the luminance of the light source in multiple stages, and the target value information, the luminance of the light source is adjusted to the target value. And a control unit that controls the light source driving unit.

  In addition, the control system according to the present invention includes an input unit that inputs luminance information indicating the luminance of each light source of a plurality of projectors, and a target value that generates target value information indicating the target value of the luminance based on the luminance information. A control device including an information generation unit; and an output unit that outputs the target value information to each projector; a luminance information generation unit that measures the luminance and generates the luminance information; and And the input / output unit for inputting the target value information, the light source driving unit capable of adjusting the luminance of the light source in multiple stages, and the luminance of the light source is adjusted to the target value based on the target value information. And a projector including a control unit that controls the light source driving unit.

  Further, the control method according to the present invention is a control method for a plurality of projectors, wherein the brightness information generation step of measuring the brightness of the light sources of the plurality of projectors to generate brightness information indicating the brightness of the light sources, A target value information generating step for generating target value information indicating a target value of the luminance of the light source based on the luminance information, and the luminance of the light source is adjusted to the target value based on the target value information. And a control step of controlling a light source driving unit capable of adjusting the luminance of the light source in multiple stages.

  According to the present invention, the projector or the like can adjust the brightness of the image more appropriately by controlling the light source driving unit so that the luminance of the light source of the projector is adjusted to the target value.

  Further, the projector includes an input unit that inputs second luminance information indicating the luminance of the light source of the projector output from another projector, and the target value information generation unit includes the first luminance information, The target value information may be generated based on the second luminance information.

  According to this, the projector can determine the target value by inputting the luminance of the light source of another projector, and can determine a more appropriate target value, and can adjust the brightness of the image more appropriately.

  The output unit may output the target value information to another projector.

  According to this, the projector outputs the target value information to the other projector, so that the other projector can adjust the brightness of the image according to the target value.

  The target value information generation unit may determine a minimum value of the luminance indicated by the first luminance information and the luminance indicated by the second luminance information as the target value.

  According to this, the brightness of the projector and the like can be matched more reliably by matching the brightness of the projector with the most deteriorated light source.

  The input unit inputs light source attribute information indicating at least one of a driving voltage, a cumulative operation time, and a type of a light source of the other projector from another projector, and the target value information generation unit The target value information may be generated based on light source attribute information and the first luminance information.

  The input unit inputs light source attribute information indicating at least one of a driving voltage, a cumulative operation time, and a type of a light source of the other projector from another projector, and the target value information generation unit The target value information may be generated based on light source attribute information, the first luminance information, and the second luminance information.

  According to this, since the projector or the like can adjust the target value according to the attribute of the light source, the brightness can be matched more accurately.

  The light source driving unit may adjust the luminance of the light source by adjusting driving power of the light source.

  According to this, the projector or the like can finely adjust the light amount of the light source by adjusting the driving power of the light source, and can adjust the luminance in more stages.

  Further, the luminance information generation step, the target value information generation step, and the control step may be repeatedly executed until the difference in luminance between the light sources of the projectors falls within a predetermined range.

  According to this, the projector or the like can prevent occurrence of a situation where the brightness does not match due to excessive adjustment, and can match the brightness more accurately.

  Embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a projector will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the Example shown below does not limit the content of the invention described in the claim at all. In addition, all the configurations shown in the following embodiments are not necessarily essential as means for solving the invention described in the claims.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a projection state of the projector 100 in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, three projectors 100-1 to 100-3 project an image on the screen 10. Further, each projector 100 is formed so as to be able to input and output information mutually via the USB hub 20.

  Of the projectors 100-1 to 100-3, the projector 100-1 activated first functions as a master, and the other projectors 100-2 and 100-3 function as slaves. The projector 100-1 functioning as a master inputs the luminance information of the light source from the other projectors 100-2 and 100-3, and adjusts the luminance of the light source of each projector 100 based on the luminance information.

  Next, functional blocks of projector 100 having such a function will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the projector 100 in the first embodiment. The projector 100 includes a light source 160, a luminance information generation unit 120 that measures luminance of the light source 160 and generates luminance information indicating the luminance, an input unit that inputs luminance information from another projector 100, and each luminance information. Based on the target value information generating unit 130 that generates target value information indicating a target value of luminance, an output unit that outputs the target value information to another projector 100, and the light source 160 that can adjust the luminance of the light source 160 in multiple stages. The light source driving unit 150 is driven, and the control unit 140 is configured to control the light source driving unit 150 so that the luminance is adjusted to the target value based on the target value information.

  In this embodiment, the input unit and the output unit are integrated as the input / output unit 110. Each projector 100 is configured to function as either a master or a slave.

  Further, the projector 100 may be implemented with functions such as the input / output unit 110 using the following hardware, for example. For example, the input / output unit 110 is a USB interface, the luminance information generation unit 120 is a luminance sensor, the target value information generation unit 130, the control unit 140 is a CPU, the light source driving unit 150 is a ballast, etc. An ultra-high pressure mercury lamp or the like may be employed.

  Next, the brightness adjustment procedure will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the brightness adjustment procedure of the projector 100-1 functioning as a master in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the brightness adjustment procedure of the projectors 100-2 and 100-3 functioning as slaves in the first embodiment.

  First, the light source driving unit 150 of the projector 100-1 drives the light source 160 (step S1). The luminance information generation unit 120 of the projector 100-1 measures the luminance of light emitted from the light source 160, and generates luminance information (first luminance information) indicating the luminance (step S2).

  The light source driving unit 150 of the projectors 100-2 and 100-3 also drives the light source 160 (step S11), and the luminance information generation unit 120 of the projectors 100-2 and 100-3 also emits light emitted from the light source 160. The brightness information indicating the brightness is generated (step S12). Further, the input / output unit 110 of the projectors 100-2 and 100-3 outputs the luminance information (second luminance information) to the projector 100-1 functioning as a master (step S13).

  The input / output unit 110 of the projector 100-1 inputs luminance information from the other projectors 100-2 and 100-3 (step S3). The target value information generation unit 130 of the projector 100-1 determines whether luminance information has been input from all the projectors 100 (step S4).

  When luminance information is input from all the projectors 100, the target value information generation unit 130 of the projector 100-1 determines a target value based on the luminance information, and generates target value information indicating the target value (step). S5). Specifically, for example, the target value information generation unit 130 sets the lowest luminance among the luminances indicated by the luminance information as a target value, sets an average value of the luminances as a target value, A predetermined value lower than the maximum luminance (for example, a value of 80% of the maximum luminance) may be set as the target value.

  The input / output unit 110 of the projector 100-1 outputs the target value information generated by the target value information generation unit 130 to the other projectors 100-2 and 100-3 (step S6). The control unit 140 of the projector 100-1 controls the light source driving unit 150 to adjust the driving power of the light source 160 based on the target value information (step S7). The light source driving unit 150 drives the light source 160 according to control by the control unit 140.

  On the other hand, the input / output unit 110 of the projectors 100-2 and 100-3 inputs target value information (step S14). The control unit 140 of the projectors 100-2 and 100-3 controls the light source driving unit 150 so as to adjust the driving power of the light source 160 based on the target value information (step S15). The light source driving unit 150 drives the light source 160 according to control by the control unit 140.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the projector 100 controls the light source driving unit 150 so that the luminance of the light source 160 of the plurality of projectors 100 is adjusted to the target value, thereby further increasing the brightness of the image. It can be adjusted appropriately.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, for example, the projector 100 can match the brightness more reliably by matching the brightness of the projector 100 where the light source 160 is most deteriorated.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the projector 100 can finely adjust the light amount of the light source 160 by adjusting the driving power of the light source 160, and the brightness can be increased in more stages (for example, 16 stages). Can be adjusted. For example, the control unit 140 can control the driving of the light source 160 in 16 stages by adjusting the driving power from 138 W (watts) to 170 W as 1 stage.

(Second embodiment)
In the first embodiment, one projector 100-1 functions as a master, but a control device other than the projector 100 may function as a master. Further, the number of times of adjusting the brightness is not limited to one time, and may be a plurality of times. Next, an embodiment in which the control device functions as a master and adjusts the brightness a plurality of times will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a projection state of the projector 101 in the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the three projectors 101-1 to 101-3 project an image on the screen 10. Each projector 101 is connected to the control device 200.

  Next, functional blocks of a control system configured with the projector 101 and the control device 200 will be described. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the control system in the second embodiment.

  The projector 101 includes a light source driving unit 150, a light source 160, a luminance information generating unit 121, a control unit 141, and an input / output unit 111 that outputs luminance information to the control device 200 and inputs target value information from the control device 200. It is comprised including.

  The control device 200 also includes an input / output unit 210 that inputs luminance information from the projector 101 and outputs target value information to the projector 101, and a target value information generation unit 230 that generates target value information based on the luminance information. It consists of The control device 200 may be a PC (Personal Computer) or the like, for example.

  Next, the brightness adjustment procedure by the control device 200 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the brightness adjustment procedure of the control device 200 in the second embodiment.

  The luminance information generation unit 121 generates luminance information according to the procedure of the first embodiment, and the input / output unit 111 outputs the luminance information to the control device 200. The input / output unit 210 inputs luminance information from the projector 101 (step S21). The target value information generation unit 230 determines whether luminance information has been input from all the projectors 101 (step S22).

  When the luminance information is input from all the projectors 101, the target value information generation unit 230 determines a target value based on the luminance information, and generates target value information indicating the target value (step S23).

  The input / output unit 210 outputs the target value information generated by the target value information generation unit 230 to the projector 101 (step S24). The input / output unit 111 inputs target value information, and the control unit 141 controls the light source driving unit 150 to adjust the driving power of the light source 160 based on the target value information. The light source driving unit 150 drives the light source 160 according to control by the control unit 141.

  Then, the luminance information generation unit 121 generates luminance adjustment information again, and the input / output unit 111 outputs the luminance information to the control device 200. The input / output unit 210 inputs luminance information from the projector 101 (step S25). The target value information generation unit 230 determines whether luminance information has been input from all the projectors 101 (step S26).

  Furthermore, the target value information generation unit 230 determines whether or not the difference in luminance indicated by the luminance information is within an allowable range (step S27). For example, this difference may be a difference between the minimum luminance and the maximum luminance indicated by the luminance information, or may be a difference between the luminance indicated by the luminance information and an ideal luminance.

  If it is within the allowable range, the projector 101 and the control device 200 end the adjustment process. On the other hand, when it is out of the allowable range, the projector 101 and the control device 200 repeatedly execute the processes of steps S23 to S26.

  As described above, the control system achieves the same effects as those of the first embodiment even in the second embodiment.

  Further, the control system repeatedly performs generation of luminance information, generation of target value information, and drive control of the light source 160 until the difference in luminance between the projectors 101 reaches a predetermined range. Can be prevented from occurring, and the brightness of each projector 101 can be matched more accurately.

(Other examples)
In addition, application of this invention is not limited to the Example mentioned above, A various deformation | transformation is possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the target value is determined based only on the luminance information, but the target value may be determined by adding information other than the luminance information.

  For example, the input / output unit 110 receives light source attribute information indicating at least one of the driving voltage, the cumulative operation time, and the type of the light source 160 of the other projector 100 from the other projector 100, and the target value information generation unit 130 may generate target value information based on the light source attribute information and the luminance information. Specifically, for example, the target value information generation unit 130 determines the luminance of the projector 100 with the highest or lowest driving voltage of the light source 160 as the target value, or targets the luminance of the projector 100 with the longest cumulative operation time. It may be determined as a value, or the brightness of the projector 100 having the light source 160 having the lowest function type may be determined as a target value.

  Accordingly, since the projector 100 can adjust the target value according to the attribute of the light source 160, the brightness can be matched more accurately.

  The present invention can also be applied to a single projector that is not connected to another projector. In this case, the input / output unit 110 is unnecessary.

  The light source is not limited to the ultra high pressure mercury lamp, and may be, for example, a metal halide lamp, a xenon lamp, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), or the like.

  The projector 100 may specifically be a liquid crystal projector, a projector using a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device), or the like. DMD is a trademark of Texas Instruments Incorporated. Further, the function of the projector 100 may be distributed and implemented in a plurality of devices (for example, a PC and a projector).

It is a figure which shows the projection state of the projector in a 1st Example. It is a functional block diagram of the projector in a 1st Example. It is a flowchart which shows the brightness adjustment procedure of the projector which functions as a master in a 1st Example. It is a flowchart which shows the brightness adjustment procedure of the projector which functions as a slave in a 1st Example. It is a figure which shows the projection state of the projector in a 2nd Example. It is a functional block diagram of the control system in a 2nd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the brightness adjustment procedure of the control apparatus in a 2nd Example.

Explanation of symbols

  10 screen, 20 USB hub, 100, 101 projector, 110, 111, 210 input / output unit, 120, 121 luminance information generation unit, 130, 230 target value information generation unit, 140, 141 control unit, 150 light source drive unit, 160 Light source, 200 control device

Claims (5)

A luminance information generation unit that measures luminance of a light source and generates first luminance information indicating the luminance;
A target value information generating unit that generates target value information indicating a target value of the luminance of the light source based on the luminance information;
A light source driving unit capable of adjusting the luminance of the light source in multiple stages;
Based on the target value information, a control unit that controls the light source driving unit so that the luminance of the light source is adjusted to the target value;
Second luminance information indicating the luminance of the light source of the projector output from another projector and light source attribute information indicating at least one of the driving voltage, the cumulative operating time, and the type of the light source of the other projector are input. An input unit to
Only including,
The target value information generation unit generates the target value information based on the light source attribute information, the first luminance information, and the second luminance information . The projector according to claim 1 , wherein
The projector further comprising an output unit for outputting the target value information to another projector. The projector according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The projector according to claim 1, wherein the light source driving unit adjusts the luminance of the light source by adjusting driving power of the light source. An input unit for inputting luminance information indicating the luminance of each light source of the plurality of projectors and light source attribute information indicating at least one of a driving voltage, a cumulative operating time, and a type of each light source of the plurality of projectors ;
A target value information generation unit that generates target value information indicating the target value of the luminance based on the luminance information and the light source attribute information ;
An output unit for outputting the target value information to each projector;
A control device comprising:
A luminance information generation unit that measures the luminance and generates the luminance information;
An input / output unit that outputs the luminance information and the light source attribute information to the control device and inputs the target value information;
A light source driving unit capable of adjusting the luminance of the light source in multiple stages;
Based on the target value information, a control unit that controls the light source driving unit so that the luminance of the light source is adjusted to the target value;
A projector including
A control system comprising: A method of controlling a plurality of projectors,
A luminance information generation step of measuring luminance of light sources of the plurality of projectors and generating luminance information indicating the luminance of the light sources;
A target value information generating step for generating target value information indicating a target value of the luminance of the light source based on the luminance information;
A control step of controlling a light source driving unit capable of adjusting the luminance of the light source in multiple stages so that the luminance of the light source is adjusted to the target value based on the target value information;
Only including,
A control method comprising: repeatedly executing the luminance information generation step, the target value information generation step, and the control step until a difference in luminance of the light source of each projector falls within a predetermined range .

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