JP5055806B2 - Projection apparatus, projection method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a projection apparatus, a projection method, and a program suitable for a projector apparatus having a zoom function for changing a projection angle of view and measuring a distance to a projection target screen using a phase difference sensor.

Conventionally, in a projector apparatus, when two sets of phase difference sensors are arranged so that their scanning directions are orthogonal to the projection plane and the distance to the projection plane is measured, the projection pattern image for distance measurement is just right There has been considered a technique for performing keystone correction by measuring distance more accurately by performing distance measurement while adjusting to project in size. (For example, Patent Document 1)
JP 2005-257765 A

  However, in the technique described in the above-mentioned patent document, since the distance measuring direction of the phase difference sensor arranged adjacent to the projection lens is fixed on the front surface of the housing of the projector device, the distance to the projection surface is long, In addition, when the zoom angle of view is narrowed, the distance measuring point is greatly deviated from the projection surface, and as a result, there may be a problem that accurate distance measurement cannot be performed.

  Further, by using two sets of phase difference sensors, an error is also caused in measurement from an error inherent in each sensor or an error for each individual due to deterioration with time.

  Therefore, by using only one set of phase difference sensors, a swing mechanism that rotates the opposite direction of the phase difference sensor in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction of distance measurement with respect to the projection surface is provided to reduce measurement errors. Technology is also considered.

  However, even in this technique, the angle of swinging by the swing mechanism of the phase difference sensor is constant regardless of the projection distance, so when the distance to the projection surface is too long and the zoom angle of view is narrowed, etc. Similarly, the distance measuring point is greatly deviated from the original projection plane.

The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, it is an object of securely implementing the distance measurement up to throw Kagemen, resulting capable to be reflected to the projection contents projector Another object is to provide a projection method and a program.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a projection unit having a projection field angle variable mechanism that projects an image corresponding to an input image signal, and distances to a plurality of distance measuring points in the projection direction by the projection unit. Ranging means for measuring, threshold setting means for setting a threshold in the course of measurement by the ranging means, and individual distance values to a plurality of ranging points obtained by the ranging means A determination means for determining a distance measuring point within the effective range of the projection plane by comparing with the threshold value set by the threshold value setting means; and a determination means determining that the distance measurement point is within the effective range of the projection plane. position information of the distance measurement points by characterized by comprising a projection control means for controlling the projection angle by the variable mechanism as projection state in the projection means.
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided projection means having a projection angle variable mechanism that projects an image corresponding to an input image signal, and distances to a plurality of distance measuring points in the projection direction by the projection means. Ranging means for measuring, threshold setting means for setting a threshold based on the measurement result of the distance to a predetermined distance measuring point, and a plurality of values obtained by the distance measuring means. A determination means for determining a distance measurement point within the effective range of the projection plane by comparing each distance value to the distance measurement point with a threshold value set by the threshold value setting means; A projection control means for controlling the projection state of the projection means based on a distance value to the distance measuring point determined to be within the effective range of the projection plane by the means, and determined by the determination means to be within the effective range of the projection plane Of the measured distance measuring point Based on the location information, characterized by comprising a notification means for performing notification to prompt a correction in the projection direction by the projection means.
The invention described in claim 12 is a projection means having a projection angle variable mechanism for projecting an image corresponding to an input image signal, and distances to a plurality of distance measuring points in the projection direction by the projection means. Ranging means for measuring, threshold setting means for setting a threshold based on the measurement result of the distance to a predetermined distance measuring point, and a plurality of values obtained by the distance measuring means. A determination means for determining a distance measurement point within the effective range of the projection plane by comparing each distance value to the distance measurement point with a threshold value set by the threshold value setting means; When the distance measurement point in the effective range of the projection surface is higher than a predetermined ratio based on the determination result of the means, the projection is reduced and projected so that the projected image by the projection unit is within the effective range of the projection surface Control means And wherein the door.

According to the present invention, reliably implement ranging up to throw Kagemen, it is possible to reflect the result in the projection content.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment in the case where the present invention is applied to a DLP (Digital Light Processing) (registered trademark) projector will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an external appearance configuration of mainly a front surface and an upper surface of a housing of a projector device 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in the figure, a projection lens 12, a distance measuring sensor 13, and an Ir light receiving unit 14 are disposed on the front surface of a rectangular parallelepiped main body casing 11.

  The projection lens 12 is for enlarging and projecting a light image formed by a spatial optical modulation element formed by a micromirror element, which will be described later, onto an object such as a screen. Here, the focus position and the zoom position (projection) The angle of view) can be arbitrarily changed.

  In the distance measuring sensor 13, a pair of phase difference sensors are arranged in the vertical direction adjacent to the projection lens 12, and the distance from the parallax to the subject image to the projection target is one-dimensional in the vertical direction based on the principle of triangulation. Measure along a typical detection line.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the distance measuring sensor 13 is directly connected to the rotor shaft 17a of the motor 17, and can be rotated to an arbitrary angular position within a predetermined angular range along the horizontal direction.

  That is, the distance measuring sensor 13 is controlled to swing in the horizontal direction through the phase difference sensor window W on the front surface of the main body casing 11 within a rotation range R2 equal to the rotation range R1 of the rotor shaft 17a of the motor 17. As a result, it is possible to measure the distance to a plurality of horizontal and vertical points on the projection surface in a matrix.

  The Ir light receiving unit 14 receives an infrared light (Ir) signal on which a key operation signal from a remote controller of the projector device 10 (not shown) is superimposed.

A key switch portion 15 and a speaker 16 are disposed on the upper surface of the main body casing 11.
The key switch unit 15 includes, for example, a power key, an AFK (Automatic Focus / Automatic Key-stone correction) key, a zoom key, an input selection key, a cursor (“↑”, “↓”, “←”, “→”). ”) Key,“ Enter ”key, and the like, and similar keys are also arranged on a remote controller (not shown) of the projector apparatus 10.

  The speaker 16 emits a sound of the input audio signal and a beep sound during operation.

Although not shown, an input / output connector portion, an Ir light receiving portion, and an AC adapter connecting portion are disposed on the back surface of the main casing 11.
The input / output connector unit includes, for example, a USB terminal for connection to an external device such as a personal computer, a mini D-SUB terminal for video input, an S terminal, an RCA terminal, a stereo mini terminal for audio input, and the like. .

Similar to the Ir light receiver 14, the Ir light receiver receives an infrared light (Ir) signal on which a key operation signal from a remote controller (not shown) is superimposed.
The AC adapter connection unit connects a cable from an AC adapter (not shown) serving as a power source.

  Next, the functional configuration of the electronic circuit of the projector apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, image signals of various standards input from the input / output connector unit 21 are unified into image signals of a predetermined format by the image conversion unit 23 via the input / output interface (I / F) 22 and the system bus SB. Later, it is sent to the projection encoder 24.

  The projection encoder 24 develops and stores the transmitted image signal in the video RAM 25, generates a video signal from the stored contents of the video RAM 25, and outputs the video signal to the projection drive unit 26.

  The projection drive unit 26 is a high-speed time-division drive that appropriately multiplies a frame rate, for example, 60 [frames / second], the number of color component divisions, and the number of display gradations in accordance with the transmitted image signal. For example, the micromirror element 27 which is a spatial optical modulation element (SOM) is driven to display.

  For the micromirror element 27, high-intensity white light emitted from a light source lamp 29, for example, using an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp, disposed in a reflector 28, is appropriately colored into a primary color via a color wheel 30 (predetermined wavelength). The color light of the band is transmitted), and a light beam having a uniform luminance distribution is formed by the light tunnel 31, and then totally reflected by the mirror 32 and irradiated, so that an optical image is formed by the reflected light and passes through the projection lens 12. Here, it is projected and displayed on a screen (not shown).

  However, both the lighting drive of the light source lamp 29 and the motor (M) 33 that rotationally drives the color wheel 30 operate based on the supply voltage value from the projection light processing unit 34.

  The control unit 35 controls all the operations of the above circuits. The control unit 35 includes a CPU, a nonvolatile memory in which an operation program executed by the CPU during a projection operation, various fixed data including a chart image described later, and the like are fixedly stored, a work memory, and the like.

  The control unit 35 is also connected to a distance measurement processing unit 36 and an audio processing unit 37 via the system bus SB.

  The distance measurement processing unit 36 controls and drives the distance measurement sensor 13 including the pair of phase difference sensors and the motor 17 that rotates in the opposite direction from the detection output of the distance measurement sensor 13 to an arbitrary point position. The calculated distance value data is sent to the control unit 35.

  The sound processing unit 37 includes a sound source circuit such as a PCM sound source, converts the sound data given during the projection operation into analog data, drives the speaker 16 to emit a loud sound, or generates a beep sound or the like if necessary.

  Each key operation signal in the key switch (SW) unit 15 is directly input to the control unit 35, and a signal from the Ir light receiving unit 38 is also directly input to the control unit 35. The Ir light receiving unit 38 includes the Ir light receiving unit 14 and an Ir light receiving unit provided on the back side of the main body casing 11. The Ir light receiving unit 38 converts the infrared light reception signal from the remote controller into a code signal and sends the code signal to the control unit 35.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
4 and 5 show the processing contents for the operation of the “AFK” key of the key switch unit 15, and the operation control is basically executed by the control unit 35.

  Initially, the distance sensor 13 is moved (turned) through the distance measuring unit 36 and the motor 17 so as to oppose the center in the horizontal direction and the direction parallel to the projection optical axis of the projection lens 12 (step). S01).

  In this state, the first chart image CH1 is projected onto the projection target screen by the projection lens 12 (step S02).

  FIG. 6 shows the first chart image CH1, and as shown in the drawing, a relatively fine black and white horizontal stripe pattern is developed over the entire image. The distance measuring sensor 13 is composed of a pair of light receiving elements arranged in the vertical direction as described with reference to FIG. 2, and detects a change in the light / dark pattern in the vertical direction to acquire the distance to the detection position. be able to.

  Each of up to a plurality of vertical positions (hereinafter referred to as “ranging points”) corresponding to the light receiving positions on the distance measuring sensor 13 so as to vertically scan the center of the first chart image CH1 with respect to the left and right lateral directions. The distance is measured (step S03).

  In this case, the distance value is obtained by using only the center portions of the light receiving portions of the pair of phase difference sensors constituting the distance measuring sensor 13 (center distance measurement), while the upper and lower portions of the light receiving portions of the pair of phase difference sensors are obtained. The distance value to a plurality of distance measuring points is obtained using a specific area (multi-range distance measurement).

  Based on the results of both center distance measurement and multi-range distance obtained in this way, a temporary distance value D to the screen is determined, and based on the temporary distance value D, the first level for the detection result of the distance measurement result is determined. The threshold value TH1 is determined (step S04).

  Specifically, a distance value that exceeds the first threshold value TH1 by setting a distance value increased by a predetermined percentage, for example, 10%, to the temporary distance value D as the first threshold value TH1. If the distance value is obtained, it is determined that the distance measuring point is off the screen.

  When the first threshold value TH1 is thus determined, the distance measuring sensor 13 is then moved (rotated) to the right end by the motor 17 (step S05).

  Next, the position (moved) of the distance measuring sensor 13 at that time is stored and held as a variable R (step S06), and the center distance and the multi distance measurement described above are executed to perform the movement (time). The distance values to a plurality of distance measuring points in the vertical direction at the (movement) position are acquired (step S07).

  The content stored as the variable R at this time is position information indicating how far the distance measuring sensor 13 is on the right side with respect to the state where the distance measuring sensor 13 is opposed to the center on the horizontal plane, in other words, to the right side. It is equal to the information indicating the deflection angle.

  The distance value is compared with the first threshold value TH1 for each distance measuring point, and the number of distance measuring points having a distance value larger than the first threshold value TH1 is constant. It is determined whether or not the direction in which the distance measuring sensor 13 is facing at the time is greatly deviated from the screen depending on the ratio, for example, 40% or more (step S08).

  Here, when it is determined that the distance value of each distance measuring point is greater than the first threshold value TH1 exceeds a certain ratio, it is assumed that the direction is greatly deviated from the screen. The distance sensor 13 is moved (rotated) to the left by a predetermined angle, for example, 0.5 ° by the motor 17 (step S09), and the processing from step S06 is performed again.

  The distance measuring point determined to be larger than the first threshold value TH1 at this time is stored together with information indicating the left and right angular positions and the upper and lower positions.

  When the opposite right side of the projector apparatus 10 is greatly off the screen in this way, the process of steps S06 to S09 is repeatedly executed, so that the content of the variable R is updated and set so that it is not so far off the screen. Detect.

  If the distance value of each distance measuring point is greater than the first threshold value TH1 is equal to or less than a certain ratio, it is assumed that the direction does not deviate much from the screen, and this is referred to as step S08. Next, the distance measuring sensor 13 is moved (turned) to the left end by the motor 17 (step S10).

  Next, the position (moved) of the distance measuring sensor 13 at that time is stored and held as a variable L (step S11), and then the center distance and multi-range distance measurement described above is executed to perform the movement (time). The distance values to a plurality of distance measuring points in the vertical direction at the (motion) position are acquired (step S12).

  Note that the content stored as the variable L at this time is also positional information indicating how far the distance sensor 13 is on the left, with reference to the state in which the distance measuring sensor 13 faces the center on the horizontal plane, as in the case of the variable R. In other words, it is equal to the information indicating the deflection angle to the left side.

  The distance value is compared with the first threshold value TH1 for each distance measuring point, and the number of distance measuring points having a distance value larger than the first threshold value TH1 is constant. It is determined whether or not the direction in which the distance measuring sensor 13 is facing at the time is greatly deviated from the screen depending on the ratio, for example, 40% or more (step S13).

  Here, when it is determined that the distance value of each distance measuring point is greater than the first threshold value TH1 exceeds a certain ratio, it is assumed that the direction is greatly deviated from the screen. The distance sensor 13 is moved (rotated) to the right side by a predetermined angle, for example, 0.5 ° by the motor 17 (step S14), and the processing from step S11 is performed again.

  The distance measuring point determined to be larger than the first threshold value TH1 at this time is stored together with information indicating the left and right angular positions and the upper and lower positions.

  In this way, when the left side facing the projector device 10 is greatly deviated from the screen, the process of steps S11 to S14 is repeatedly executed, so that the contents of the variable L are updated and set so as not to deviate so much from the screen. Detect.

FIG. 8 illustrates the relationship between the projection range PA of the image on the screen SC and the projection lens 12 and the distance measurement points of the distance measurement sensor 13 in a state where the above-described series of processing is executed.
In this case, the projection range PA shows a state slightly deviated to the upper left with respect to the screen SC, and a distance measurement point, a black circle, determined that the white circle in the projection range PA is larger than the first threshold value TH1. A distance measuring point determined to be within the first threshold TH1 is shown.

  From FIG. 8, it can be seen that if the projection range PA can be adjusted within the range of the distance measurement point indicated by the black circle by changing the zoom angle, the image can be projected without being deviated from the screen SC.

  However, if the distance value of each distance measuring point is greater than the first threshold value TH1 is less than a certain percentage, it is assumed that the direction has not deviated so much from the screen in step S13. Next, the projector apparatus 10 determines whether or not the absolute value of the difference obtained by subtracting the other from one of the variables R and L stored at that time is less than a preset fixed value X. It is determined whether or not the installation direction is within an allowable range for the screen (step S15).

  Here, when the absolute value of the difference obtained by subtracting the other from one of the variables R and L is equal to or greater than a preset fixed value X, the installation direction of the projector device 10 is outside the allowable range for the screen. Then, based on the values of the variables R and L, and the position information of the distance measuring points stored by determining that the distance value of the distance measuring point is larger than the first threshold value TH1 in the above steps S08 and S13. Then, after a guide message for prompting the change of the installation direction of the projector device 10 is projected and displayed for a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds (step S21), the processing corresponding to the AFK key is once ended.

FIG. 9 exemplifies the content of the guide message image GM projected from the projection lens 12 at this time. In consideration of the fact that the installation direction of the projector device 10 is greatly deviated from the screen, it is within a narrow range of the center of the image. For example,
"Projector
A little more on the upper right
Please move. "
A character string like this is displayed.

  The character string “upper right” in the guide message determines that the values of the variables R and L and the distance value of the distance measuring point in steps S08 and S13 are greater than the first threshold value TH1. In accordance with the contents of the position information of the distance measurement points stored in the above, “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, “upper left”, “lower left”, “upper right” and “lower right” are selected from a total of eight.

  In addition, the absolute value of the difference obtained by subtracting the other from one of the variables R and L in step S15 is less than a preset fixed value X, and the installation direction of the projector device 10 is within an allowable range with respect to the screen. If determined, the second chart image CH2 is then projected onto the projection target screen by the projection lens 12 (step S16).

  FIG. 7 shows the second chart image CH2. As shown in the drawing, the center, the left part, and the right part are extracted by a certain lateral width as compared with the first chart image CH1. It has become a content.

  Here, the horizontal width of the horizontal stripe pattern at each of the center, the left part, and the right part is set in advance with a dimension including a certain margin so that each distance measuring sensor 13 can sufficiently detect the light-dark pattern.

  In such a state that the second chart image CH2 is projected, the distance sensor 13 is moved by the motor 17 using the values of the variables R and L, for example, the right end (R corresponding angle) side, the center, and the left end (L The distance value to a plurality of distance measuring points in the vertical direction at the movement (turning) position is performed (rotated) to the corresponding angle) side, and the center distance measurement and multi-range measurement described above are executed at each movement position. Is acquired (step S17).

  Here, the amount by which the distance measuring sensor 13 is moved (turned) is determined by calculating from the position of the zoom lens in the projection lens 12 of the projector device 10, that is, the zoom setting value at that time.

  With respect to the distance value to each of the distance measuring points at these three movement (rotation) positions, a predetermined percentage, for example, 5 for example, based on the distance value acquired by the center distance measurement at the central movement (rotation) position. The distance value increased by% is set as the second threshold value TH2.

  Then, the second threshold value TH2 is compared with the distance value of each distance measurement point, and the number of distance values that are larger than the second threshold value TH2 among the distance measurement points is a fixed ratio, For example, whether or not the zoom angle at the projection lens 12 is too large with respect to the screen at that time is determined based on whether or not it is 20% or more (step S18).

  If it is determined that the distance value of each distance measuring point is greater than the second threshold value TH2 exceeds a certain ratio, the zoom angle at the projection lens 12 is larger than the screen. As a result, at least one of the left and right light and dark patterns of the second chart image CH2 has spread outward from the plurality of distance measuring points along the left and right vertical directions of the distance measuring sensor 13, and the correct distance value is obtained. Is determined to be in a state where it cannot be measured.

  Therefore, a process of adjusting the zoom angle by a predetermined amount according to the second threshold value TH2 and the position of the zoom lens in the projection lens 12 at that time, specifically, a process of reducing the zoom angle by a predetermined angle. After applying (step S19), the process returns to step S17 again.

  However, by repeatedly executing the processing of steps S17 to S19, the zoom lens in the projection lens 12 is moved to gradually narrow the zoom angle, and the left and right movement (rotation) positions of the distance measuring sensor 13 are set. When the positions of the left and right light and dark patterns in the second chart image CH2 substantially coincide with each other, the distance value of each distance measurement point at that time is larger than the second threshold value TH2 and is less than a certain ratio. This is determined in step S18, AFK processing is executed (step S20), and the processing for the series of AFK key operations according to FIGS. 4 and 5 is completed.

  At this time, since the projection range is already within the screen by adjusting the zoom angle by repeating the processing in step S19 as many times as necessary, it is automatically automatically adjusted to the center position of the projection image as it is. By executing the focusing process and the automatic keystone correction process corresponding to the tilt of the screen, the aspect ratio of the input signal can be adjusted in consideration of the tilt of the screen with respect to the projection optical axis without further reducing the projected image. A corresponding accurate rectangular image can be projected.

FIG. 10 shows the adjustment operation of the projection range PA according to the above embodiment.
FIG. 10A shows the relationship between the screen SC before adjustment and the projection range PA of the projector device 10. Here, the projection range PA is one in the upper left direction of the screen SC as in the case shown in FIG. Shows the state of being out of place.

  At this time, assuming that the projection angle in the horizontal plane of the projector device 10 within the range of the screen SC of the projector device 10 is L on the left side with respect to the projection optical axis of the projection lens 12, and R on the right side, the projection range PA is on the left side. Therefore, “L <R” is satisfied.

However, FIG. 10B illustrates a result of adjusting the projection range PA of the projector device 10 according to the screen SC by the operation shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
Here, by adjusting the zoom angle and narrowing the projection range PA without changing the center position of the projection optical axis of the projection lens 12, the entire projection range PA is adjusted so as to be within the screen SC. The projection angle in the horizontal plane of the projector device 10 in the screen SC at this time is L on the left side and L ′ (= L) on the right side with respect to the projection optical axis of the projection lens 12.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the distance to the projection surface is always reliably performed regardless of the initial distance to the projection surface and the zoom angle of view, and the result is automatically focused, for example, It can be reflected in the projection content by automatic keystone correction processing or the like.

  In the above embodiment, the distance measuring sensor 13 is configured by one phase difference sensor formed by arranging a pair of light receiving units adjacent to each other, and is along a (horizontal) direction orthogonal to the arrangement (vertical) direction. Thus, a head swing mechanism that moves (rotates) the opposing direction by the motor 17 is used to measure the distance to a plurality of distance measuring points.

  As a result, it is not necessary to use a plurality of phase difference sensors having a large error depending on the individual in correspondence with the distance measuring direction, so that a distance measuring operation with higher accuracy can be realized.

  Although the operation of the above embodiment has been described as being executed in response to the operation of the AFK key of the key switch unit 15, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, only the adjustment of the zoom angle is instructed. In response to the key operation, during the series of processes shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the processes of other steps S01 to S19 may be performed except for the AFK process in step S20.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, as a method for prompting the user to correct the installation direction of the projector apparatus 10, a guide message using a character string is projected as an image. In addition to the above, an indicator composed of an LED lamp or the like indicating the direction may be turned on or blinked, or a liquid crystal display panel with a backlight provided on the upper portion of the main body casing 11 or a display unit such as an organic EL display Thus, even if some instruction content is displayed, the user can be notified in the same manner.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, it is determined whether or not the distance measurement points within the range of the screen SC have reached a predetermined ratio, and only when it is determined that the distance has been reached, the projection image on the projection lens 12 is displayed. The projection is reduced so as to be within the range of the screen SC.

  As a result, it is possible to secure a size sufficient for appreciating the projected image without automatically reducing the projection content without darkness.

(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment when the present invention is applied to a DLP (registered trademark) projector device will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 11 shows an external appearance configuration of mainly the front surface and the upper surface of the housing of the projector device 10 ′ according to the embodiment.

  Since the basic external configuration of the projector device 10 'is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 1, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

  Therefore, instead of the pair of distance measuring sensors 13, distance measuring sensors 13a and 13b arranged in directions orthogonal to each other so that one of the two pairs of phase difference sensors is in the vertical direction and the other is in the horizontal direction. It shall be arranged in the vicinity of.

  These distance measuring sensors 13a and 13b do not have a swing mechanism by the motor 17 as shown in FIG. 2, and the facing direction thereof is substantially parallel to the projection optical axis of the projection lens 12. It shall be fixedly arranged.

The functional configuration of the electronic circuit of the projector apparatus 10 ′ is the same as that shown in FIG. 3 except that two pairs of distance measuring sensors 13a and 13b are provided instead of the pair of distance measuring sensors 13 and the motor 17 is not provided. Therefore, the illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing distance measurement points for the projection range PA by the distance measurement sensors 13a and 13b together with the screen SC, and one distance measurement sensor 13a passes through the center of the projection range PA and a plurality of distance measurement sensors 13a are vertically arranged. The distance measuring point is measured by the other distance measuring sensor 13b in the horizontal direction.

  In this case, the projection range PA shows a state slightly deviated to the upper left with respect to the screen SC, and the threshold value is determined from the center distance measuring point where the distance measuring lines of the two pairs of distance measuring sensors 13a and 13b intersect. TH is derived, and a white circle in the projection range PA indicates a distance measuring point determined to be within the threshold TH, and a black circle represents a distance measuring point determined to be larger than the threshold TH.

  Based on the result of comparing the distance values of these distance measurement points with the threshold value TH, by changing the zoom angle, the projection range PA can be adjusted within the range of the distance measurement points indicated by the black circles and deviate from the screen SC. It can be seen that the image can be projected without any problem.

  In this way, the distance measuring sensors 13a and 13b are configured by arranging two phase difference sensors each having a pair of optical receiving units adjacently arranged so that the arrangement directions thereof are orthogonal to each other, and a plurality of distance measuring points. The distance measurement process can be executed in a shorter time by measuring the distance up to.

  Note that both the first and second embodiments are applied to a DLP (registered trademark) type projector apparatus using a micromirror element as an optical modulation element for forming an optical image corresponding to an image signal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is not limited to this, and a transmissive liquid crystal display panel, a reflective liquid crystal display panel including LCOS (Liquid Crystal On Silicon), or a GLV (Grating Light Value). A projection apparatus using any optical modulation element such as a G × L (registered trademark) element using a technology can be similarly applied.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, the functions executed in the above-described embodiments may be combined as appropriate as possible. The above-described embodiment includes various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by an appropriate combination according to a plurality of disclosed structural requirements. For example, even if several constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, if the effect can be obtained, a configuration from which the constituent requirements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a projector apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view which takes out the phase difference sensor which concerns on the same embodiment, and the motor which performs the rotational drive, and shows the structure. The block diagram which shows the functional circuit structure of the projector apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment. The flowchart which shows the processing content of the projection range setting at the time of power activation concerning the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the processing content of the automatic projection range setting at the time of the power activation based on the embodiment. The figure which illustrates the 1st chart image which concerns on the same embodiment. The figure which illustrates the 2nd chart image which concerns on the same embodiment. The figure which illustrates the difference with the screen of a projection target and projection range which concern on the embodiment. The figure which illustrates the projection content of the guide message which concerns on the same embodiment. The figure which compares and shows the projection range before and behind the process of the automatic projection range setting which concerns on the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of the projector apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which illustrates the difference with the screen of a projection target and projection range which concern on the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,10 '... Projector apparatus, 11 ... Main body casing, 12 ... Projection lens, 13, 13a, 13b ... Distance sensor, 14 ... Ir light-receiving part, 15 ... Key switch (SW) part, 16 ... Speaker, 17 ... Motor (M), 17a ... rotor shaft, 21 ... input / output connector, 22 ... input / output interface (I / F), 23 ... image conversion unit, 24 ... projection encoder, 25 ... video RAM, 26 ... projection drive unit, 27 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Micromirror element, 28 ... Reflector, 29 ... Light source lamp, 30 ... Color wheel, 31 ... Light tunnel, 32 ... Mirror, 33 ... Motor (M), 34 ... Projection light processing part, 35 ... Control part, 36 ... Reflector 37 ... Audio processing unit, 38 ... Ir light receiving unit, CH1, CH2 ... Chart image, GM ... Guide message image, PA ... Projection range, SB ... System bar , SC ... screen, W ... phase difference sensor window.

Claims (18)

A projection means having a projection angle variable mechanism for projecting an image corresponding to an input image signal;
Distance measuring means for measuring the distance to a plurality of distance measuring points in the projection direction by the projection means,
Threshold setting means for setting a threshold based on the measurement result of the distance to a predetermined distance measuring point by measurement by the distance measuring means;
Ranging points within the effective range of the projection plane can be obtained by comparing the individual distance values to the plurality of ranging points obtained by the ranging means with the threshold values set by the threshold setting means. A judging means for judging;
Projection control means for controlling the projection angle of view by the variable mechanism as the projection state of the projection means based on the position information of the distance measuring point determined to be within the effective range of the projection plane by the determination means. Projection device.   The distance measuring means includes two phase difference sensors each having a pair of adjacent optical receivers arranged adjacent to each other so that the arrangement directions thereof are orthogonal to each other, and measures distances to a plurality of distance measuring points. The projection apparatus according to claim 1.   The distance measuring means has a swing mechanism for moving the opposite direction of the phase difference sensor along a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction with respect to one phase difference sensor formed by arranging a pair of light receiving units adjacent to each other. The projection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein distances to a plurality of distance measuring points are measured.   The distance measuring means measures the distance to a plurality of distance measuring points in the projection direction by the projecting means by projecting a first chart image on a screen. The projection device described. Second determining whether or not the installation direction of the projection apparatus is within an allowable range with respect to the screen based on the position information of the distance measuring point determined to be within the effective range of the projection plane by the determination means. The projection apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising a determination unit. When the second determination means determines that the installation direction of the projection apparatus is within an allowable range with respect to the screen, the distance measurement means replaces the first chart image with the second chart. 6. The projection apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein distances to a plurality of distance measuring points are measured using an image.   The projection apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second chart image has a content that is extracted and shown by a certain width of each of a central portion and a peripheral portion of the first chart image.   The information processing apparatus further comprises notification means for notifying the projection means to correct the projection direction based on the position information of the distance measuring point determined to be within the effective range of the projection plane by the determination means. The projection apparatus according to claim 1.   9. The projection apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the notification means causes the projection means to project a guide message based on a character string indicating a specific correction direction.   When the distance measurement point within the effective range of the projection plane is higher than a predetermined ratio based on the determination result of the determination unit, the projection control unit has the projection image by the projection unit within the effective range of the projection plane. The projection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projection apparatus is reduced and projected as described above. A projection means having a projection angle variable mechanism for projecting an image corresponding to an input image signal;
Distance measuring means for measuring the distance to a plurality of distance measuring points in the projection direction by the projection means,
Threshold setting means for setting a threshold based on the measurement result of the distance to a predetermined distance measuring point by measurement by the distance measuring means;
Ranging points within the effective range of the projection plane can be obtained by comparing the individual distance values to the plurality of ranging points obtained by the ranging means with the threshold values set by the threshold setting means. A judging means for judging;
Projection control means for controlling the projection state of the projection means based on the distance value to the distance measuring point determined to be within the effective range of the projection plane by the determination means;
And a notifying means for notifying the projection means to correct the projection direction based on the position information of the distance measuring point determined to be within the effective range of the projection plane by the determining means. Projection device. A projection means having a projection angle variable mechanism for projecting an image corresponding to an input image signal;
Distance measuring means for measuring the distance to a plurality of distance measuring points in the projection direction by the projection means,
Threshold setting means for setting a threshold based on the measurement result of the distance to a predetermined distance measuring point by measurement by the distance measuring means;
Ranging points within the effective range of the projection plane can be obtained by comparing the individual distance values to the plurality of ranging points obtained by the ranging means with the threshold values set by the threshold setting means. A judging means for judging;
Based on the determination result of the determination means, when the distance measurement points in the effective range of the projection plane are higher than a predetermined ratio, the projection image by the projection means is reduced and projected so as to be within the effective range of the projection plane. And a projection control means.   The projection control means performs a focusing process as a projection state of the projection means based on a distance value to a distance measuring point determined to be within the effective range of the projection plane by the determination means. The projection apparatus in any one of -12.   The projection control means performs trapezoidal correction processing as a projection state of the projection means based on a distance value to a distance measuring point determined to be within the effective range of the projection plane by the determination means. The projection device according to any one of ˜13. A projection method for projecting an image corresponding to an input image signal and including a projection unit having a projection angle variable mechanism,
A distance measuring step for measuring distances to a plurality of distance measuring points in the projection direction by the projection unit;
A threshold value setting step for setting a threshold value based on a measurement result of a distance to a predetermined distance measurement point by measurement in the distance measurement step;
Ranging points within the effective range of the projection plane are compared with the threshold values set in the threshold setting step for each distance value to the plurality of ranging points obtained in the ranging step. A judging process for judging;
A projection control step of controlling the projection angle of view by the variable mechanism as a projection state at the projection unit based on the position information of the distance measuring point determined to be within the effective range of the projection plane in this determination step. Projection method. A projection method for projecting an image corresponding to an input image signal and including a projection unit having a projection angle variable mechanism,
A distance measuring step for measuring distances to a plurality of distance measuring points in the projection direction by the projection unit;
A threshold value setting step for setting a threshold value based on a measurement result of a distance to a predetermined distance measurement point by measurement in the distance measurement step;
Ranging points within the effective range of the projection plane are compared with the threshold values set in the threshold setting step for each distance value to the plurality of ranging points obtained in the ranging step. A judging process for judging;
A projection control step of controlling the projection angle of view by the variable mechanism as a projection state in the projection unit based on the position information of the distance measurement point determined to be within the effective range of the projection plane in the determination step;
And a notifying step of notifying the projection unit to correct the projection direction based on the position information of the ranging point determined to be within the effective range of the projection plane by the determining step. Projection method. A projection method for projecting an image corresponding to an input image signal and including a projection unit having a projection angle variable mechanism,
A distance measuring step for measuring distances to a plurality of distance measuring points in the projection direction by the projection unit;
A threshold value setting step for setting a threshold value based on a measurement result of a distance to a predetermined distance measurement point by measurement in the distance measurement step;
Ranging points within the effective range of the projection plane are compared with the threshold values set in the threshold setting step for each distance value to the plurality of ranging points obtained in the ranging step. A judging process for judging;
Based on the determination result of this determination step, when the distance measurement points in the effective range of the projection surface are higher than a predetermined ratio, the projection image by the projection unit is reduced and projected so as to be within the effective range of the projection surface. A projection control step. A program executed by a computer built in a projection apparatus having a projection unit having a projection angle variable mechanism that projects an image corresponding to an input image signal,
A distance measuring step for measuring distances to a plurality of distance measuring points in the projection direction by the projection unit;
A threshold setting step for setting a threshold based on a measurement result of a distance to a predetermined distance measuring point by measurement in the distance measuring step;
By comparing the individual distance values to a plurality of distance measurement points obtained in the distance measurement step with the threshold values set in the threshold value setting step, distance measurement points within the effective range of the projection plane can be obtained. A judgment step to judge;
Causing the computer to execute a projection control step of controlling the projection angle of view by the variable mechanism as the projection state at the projection unit based on the position information of the distance measuring point determined to be within the effective range of the projection plane in this determination step. A program characterized by

Images