Projector apparatus having a light leakage section

A projector apparatus includes: a case; a light source which is provided in the case and emits light by supply of power; an opening provided in the case; an image projection unit that generates image projection light from light of the light source and emits the image projection light through the opening in order to project an image onto a screen; a shutter which is moved to a block position at which the opening provided in the case is blocked or to an open position at which the opening is opened; and a light leakage section which provides notification that the power is being supplied to the light source by allowing some light beams of the light source or some light beams of the image projection unit to leak to the outside of the case in a state where the shutter is located at the block position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a projector apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

There is a projector apparatus including a case, a light source provided in the case, an opening provided in the case, and an image projection unit that generates image projection light using the light of the light source and emits the image projection light through the opening in order to project an image onto a screen.

When using such a projector apparatus, the user may want to temporarily stop the projection of an image to the screen for convenience in use.

For this reason, various projector apparatuses have been proposed in which a shutter that opens or closes an opening is provided (refer to JP-A-3-94888, JP-A-5-8556, and JP-A-2001-174910).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to such apparatuses, the projection of an image to a screen may be temporarily stopped by blocking the opening with the shutter.

In this state, no display is performed on the screen.

Accordingly, if the user forgets having closed the shutter, the user may think erroneously that a power source of the projector apparatus is turned off and forget to turn off the power switch. Alternatively, the user may think erroneously that the projector apparatus is out of order.

Thus, it is desirable to provide a projector apparatus which is advantageous in improving usability since it is possible to reliably see that the projector apparatus is in the operating state even if a shutter is closed.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a projector apparatus including: a case; a light source which is provided in the case and emits light by supply of power; an opening provided in the case; an image projection unit that generates image projection light from light of the light source and emits the image projection light through the opening in order to project an image onto a screen; a shutter which is moved to a block position at which the opening provided in the case is blocked or to an open position at which the opening is opened; and a light leakage section which provides notification that the power is being supplied to the light source by allowing some light beams of the light source or some light beams of the image projection unit to leak to the outside of the case in a state where the shutter is located at the block position.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, while the projector apparatus is being used, some light beams of the light source or some light beams of the image projection unit leak from the light leakage section to the outside of the case in a state where the shutter is located at the block position. Accordingly, the user can clearly see that the projector apparatus is in the operating state.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

As shown inFIGS. 1 to 5, a projector apparatus10includes a case12and a light leakage section60A.

The case12has a height, a length larger than the height, and a width larger than the length and is formed in a flat rectangular plate shape.

The case12includes a front wall12A, a back wall12B, a top wall12C, a bottom wall12D, and left and right side walls12E and12F. Moreover, in the present embodiment, when the projector apparatus10is seen from a screen side, the screen side is the front side and the opposite side is the back side. The left and right sides are when the projector apparatus10is seen from the front side.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 3, an opening14is provided in the front wall12A so as to be positioned close to the right side wall12F from the middle in the width direction of the front wall12A.

A shutter16, which will be described later, is provided in the case12so as to be positioned behind the opening14, and a projection optical system56(refer toFIG. 7) is provided behind the shutter16.

The shutter16is moved to the block position at which the opening14is blocked or to the open position at which the opening14is opened.

As the structure of the shutter16, various known structures, such as a structure using one blade or a structure using a plurality of blades, may be adopted.

As shown inFIG. 4, in a place of the top wall12C which is close to the right side wall12F from the middle in the width direction of the top wall12C, a shutter operating member18, a focus ring20, and a zoom ring22are provided in this order backward from the front side and in a line with distances therebetween.

Moreover, behind the focus ring22, an operation switch24, a menu switch26, an input selection switch28, a lamp/cover indicator30, and a power switch32are provided in this order backward from the front side and in a line with distances therebetween.

The shutter operating member18is operated to open and close the shutter16manually.

The focus ring20is rotation-operated to perform focus adjustment of an image, which is projected on the screen, by adjusting the focal distance of the projection optical system56.

The zoom ring22is rotation-operated to perform magnification adjustment of an image, which is projected on the screen, by adjusting the magnification of the projection optical system56.

The operation switch24is operated to move a cursor displayed on a menu screen projected onto the screen.

The menu switch26is operated to display the menu screen on the screen or to stop displaying the menu screen.

The input selection switch28is operated to perform switching among a plurality of image signals input to the projector apparatus10.

The lamp/cover indicator30blinks in order to indicate that the cover of a light source (refer toFIG. 7) to be described later is open, the light source is to be replaced, or that the temperature of the light source is higher than a predetermined temperature.

The power switch32is for performing ON and OFF of the power source of the projector apparatus10. When power is ON, the power switch32itself is lit with green light, for example.

InFIG. 2, reference numeral1202indicates a leg provided in the middle in the width direction at the rear side of the bottom wall12D in order to place the projector apparatus10on the mounting surface.

In addition, reference numeral1204indicates two adjusting screws for moving the projector apparatus10up and down in a state where the projector apparatus10is placed on the mounting surface. The position of an image projected on the screen is adjusted by changing the optical axis of the projection optical system56up and down by adjusting the adjusting screws1204.

Moreover, reference numeral34indicates an external signal input connector through which an image signal supplied from an external device, such as a personal computer, is input.

As shown inFIG. 6, the projector apparatus10further includes an operating unit40, a control unit42, a light source44, and an image projection unit46.

The operating unit40includes the operation switch24, the menu switch26, the input selection switch28, the lamp/cover indicator30, and the power switch32.

The control unit42controls the light source44and the image projection unit46on the basis of an operation of the operating section40.

The control unit42is formed by a microcomputer in which a CPU, a ROM for storing a control program and the like, a RAM for providing a working area, an interface section for interface with a peripheral circuit, and the like are connected to each other by a bus, for example. The control unit42operates when the CPU executes a control program.

Specifically, the control unit42generates image information of three colors of red, green, and blue by performing necessary signal processing on an image signal, which is supplied from the external signal input connector34, and supplies the image information to the image projection unit46, thereby displaying an image on a screen2.

In addition, the control unit42displays an image on the screen2by supplying the image information of a menu screen to the image projection unit46.

Next, the light source44and the image projection unit46will be described.

As shown inFIG. 7, the light source44includes a lamp44A and a power supply section (not shown).

The light source44is disposed in the case12and emits light by an operation of the power switch32.

The lamp44A is driven by power supplied from the power supply section and emits light. A white light source which illuminates light having a spectrum in a visible range is used as the lamp44A.

As the white light source, it is possible to use various known light sources, for example, a light source with a continuous spectrum, such as a xenon lamp, a high-pressure mercury lamp, and a metal halide lamp, or a light source with a discrete spectrum, such as an LED light source.

For example, the lamp44A has a parabolic reflector so that light beams emitted from the lamp44A become approximately parallel beams.

The image projection unit46projects an image on the screen2by generating image projection light from the light of the light source44and emitting the image projection light through the opening14.

As shown inFIG. 6, the image projection unit46includes an illumination optical section48, a separation section50, an image modulating section52, an image mixing section54, and the projection optical system56, and the image projection unit46is disposed in the case12.

As shown inFIG. 7, the illumination optical section48cuts some light beams emitted from the light source44and guides light beams to the separation section50with the illuminance of the light beams uniform.

In the present embodiment, the illumination optical section48includes an infrared and ultraviolet cut filter48A for cutting an ultraviolet ray and an infrared ray, two fly-eye lenses48B and48C for making the illuminance of light uniform, a polarization conversion element48D, a condenser lens48E, and the like.

In addition, heating or deterioration of various optical components which form the separation section50, the image modulating section52, the image mixing section54, and the projection optical system56can be prevented by cutting an ultraviolet ray and an infrared ray included in the light emitted from the light source44using the infrared and ultraviolet cut filter48A.

The separation section50separates the light (white light), which has been guided from the illumination optical section48and the illuminance of which has been made uniform, into light beams of three colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors.

The separation section50includes a plurality of dichroic mirrors, for example.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the separation section50includes first and second dichroic mirrors5002and5004and first to third mirrors5006,5008, and5010.

The first dichroic mirror5002is configured to transmit light beams of red (R) and green (G) colors among light beams guided from the illumination optical section48and to reflect a light beam of a blue (B) color.

The second dichroic mirror5004is configured to transmit a light beam of a red (R) color among the light beams of red (R) and green (G) colors, which have been transmitted through the first dichroic mirror5002, and to reflect a light beam of a green (G) color.

Accordingly, light beams guided from the illumination optical section48to the first dichroic mirror5002are separated into two groups of light beams, that is, light beams of a blue (B) color and light beams of red (R) and green (G) colors by the first dichroic mirror5002.

The light beam of a blue (B) color separated by the first dichroic mirror5002is reflected by the first mirror5006.

Among the light beams of red (R) and green (G) colors separated by the first dichroic mirror5002, the light beam of a green (G) color reaches the second dichroic mirror5004.

Among the light beams of red (R) and green (G) colors separated by the first dichroic mirror5002, the light beam of a red (R) color is transmitted through the second dichroic mirror5004, reaches the third mirror5010through the second mirror5008, and is reflected by the third mirror5010.

The light beams of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors separated by the separation section50are emitted from the separation section50toward the image modulating section52.

In addition, any component may be used as the separation section50as long as the component has a function of separating light (white light) guided from the illumination optical section48into three light beams of three colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors. It is a matter of course that various known structures may be adopted as the separation section50.

The image modulating section52modulates three kinds of light beams of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors guided from the separation section50on the basis of the image information and supplies them to the image mixing section54.

The image modulating section52has first to third image modulating elements52R,52G, and52B corresponding to the three kinds of light beams of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors.

In the present embodiment, the first to third image modulating elements52R,52G, and52B are formed by a transmissive liquid crystal display device (liquid crystal light valve).

The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display device body, which has two transparent substrates that seal a liquid crystal layer therebetween, and a polarizer provided in the liquid crystal display device body.

Each of the first to third image modulating elements52R,52G, and52B has a display surface on which an image is displayed.

The first to third image modulating elements52R,52G, and52B display images on the screen when image signals (driving signals) corresponding to the image information of three colors of red, green, and blue supplied from the control unit42are supplied.

The light beam of a red (R) color emitted from the separation section50to the image modulating section52is illuminated to the first image modulating element52R, is modulated on the basis of the image information by passing through the first image modulating element52R, and is then guided to the image mixing section54.

The light beam of a green (G) color emitted from the separation section50to the image modulating section52is illuminated to the second image modulating element52G, is modulated on the basis of the image information by passing through the second image modulating element52G, and is then guided to the image mixing section54.

The light beam of a blue (B) color emitted from the separation section50to the image modulating section52is illuminated to the third image modulating element52B, is modulated on the basis of the image information by passing through the third image modulating element52B, and is then guided to the image mixing section54.

As the first to third image modulating elements52R,52G, and52B, not only the transmissive liquid crystal display device but also a reflective liquid crystal display device may be used, or various known image display devices may be used. In addition, the image display section is not limited to the liquid crystal display device, and various known display devices which use various techniques may also be used.

The image mixing section54generates one image projection beam by mixing three beams of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors modulated by the image modulating section52and guides the image projection beam to the projection optical system56.

In the present embodiment, the image mixing section54is formed by a cross prism54A.

The cross prism54A has three incidence surfaces5402,5404, and5406on which the light beams from the first to third image modulating elements52R,52G, and52B are incident and which are perpendicular to each other.

In addition, the cross prism54A has an emission surface5408from which the image projection beam generated by mixing the three beams of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors is emitted.

In addition, any component may be used as the image mixing section54as long as the component can generate one image projection beam by mixing three beams of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors. Thus, the image mixing section54is not limited to the cross prism54A, and various known optical elements may also be used.

The projection optical system56includes a plurality of lenses so that the image projection beam guided from the image mixing section54is incident on the projection optical system56and is then projected onto the screen2.

An objective lens56A of the projection optical systems56is located at the forefront, and the objective lens56A is disposed behind the shutter16.

Some lenses of the projection optical system56including the objective lens56A are supported by a lens barrel58so as to be movable in the optical axis direction.

The configuration of the light leakage section60A is shown inFIGS. 8 and 9.

The light leakage section60A allows some light beams emitted from the light source44or some light beams emitted from the image projection unit46to leak to the outside of the case12in a state where the shutter16is located at the block position. This is for providing notification that power is being supplied to the projector apparatus10including the light source44.

In the present embodiment, the light leakage section60A is formed as a gap, which is formed between the edge of the opening14and the shutter16, and is provided so that some light beams emitted from the image projection unit46leak to the front of the front wall12A of the case12.

The light leakage section60A is formed as a gap, which is formed by a notch1602formed in an outer peripheral portion of the shutter16and an edge1410of the opening14.

According to the first embodiment, if the shutter16is located at the block position when the projector apparatus10projects an image onto the screen2, the projection of an image to the screen2is temporarily stopped.

In this case, some light beams emitted from the image projection unit46leak from the light leakage section60A to the front of the front wall12A of the case12in a state where the shutter16is located at the block position.

However, since the amount of light leaking from the light leakage section60A is small, a clear spot or a clear image is not formed on the screen2.

In addition, the user can clearly see that the projector apparatus10is in the operating state by the light leaking from the light leakage section60A.

Particularly, since light leaks to the front of the front wall12A of the case12, the user can see that the projector apparatus10is in the operating state very easily. That is, this is because an object is not placed ahead of the projector apparatus10where an image is projected even if objects are placed at the right or left side of the projector apparatus10or behind the projector apparatus10.

Accordingly, the case does not occur in which the user mistakes a state where projection of an image to the screen2is temporarily stopped as a state where the power source of the projector apparatus10is turned off and forgets to turn off the power switch32. Moreover, the case does not occur in which the user mistakes the state where projection of an image to the screen2is temporarily stopped as a state where the projector apparatus10is out of order.

In other words, it is possible to reliably see that the projector apparatus10is in the operating state even if the shutter16is at the block position, and this is advantageous in improving the usability of the projector apparatus10.

In addition, since the light leakage section60A has a very simple configuration, this is also advantageous in terms of cost reduction and miniaturization.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment will be described.

As shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, the shutter16is formed to have a circular shape and an area smaller than the opening14.

A light leakage section60B is formed as a circular gap, which is formed between an outer peripheral portion1610of the shutter16and the edge1410of the opening14, at the block position.

In the second embodiment, if the shutter16is located at the block position when the projector apparatus10projects an image onto the screen2, the projection of an image to the screen2is temporarily stopped.

In this case, some light beams emitted from the image projection unit46leak from the light leakage section60B to the front of the front wall12A of the case12in a state where the shutter16is located at the block position.

Accordingly, also in the second embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment are obtained.

In addition, one or a plurality of through holes each of which has a sufficient diameter to transmit light therethrough may be provided in the outer peripheral portion of the shutter16, such that the light leakage section60B is formed by the through holes.

Alternatively, one or a plurality of through holes each of which has a sufficient diameter to transmit light therethrough may be provided in a place around the opening14of the front wall12A of the case12, such that the light leakage section60B is formed by the through holes.

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment will be described.

As shown inFIGS. 12 and 13, a light leakage section60C is formed as a gap, which is formed by a notch1404formed at the edge of the opening14and an outer peripheral portion1604of the shutter16.

In the third embodiment, if the shutter16is located at the block position when the projector apparatus10projects an image onto the screen2, the projection of an image to the screen2is temporarily stopped.

In this case, some light beams emitted from the image projection unit46leak from the light leakage section60C to the front of the front wall12A of the case12in a state where the shutter16is located at the block position.

Accordingly, also in the third embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment are obtained.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.

As shown inFIGS. 14 and 15, a light transmission section62, which is formed of a material that transmits light therethrough and through which some light beams emitted from the image projection unit46leak to the outside of the case12in a state where the shutter16is located at the block position, is provided in a part of the shutter16.

In the present embodiment, the light transmission section62is formed in a circular shape along the outer periphery of the shutter16.

A light leakage section60D is formed by the light transmission section62.

The light transmission section62may be formed of a translucent material, that is, a material which transmits light while reducing light. Various known materials may be used as the translucent material.

In the fourth embodiment, if the shutter16is located at the block position when the projector apparatus10projects an image onto the screen2, the projection of an image to the screen2is temporarily stopped.

In this case, some light beams emitted from the image projection unit46leak from the light leakage section60D to the front of the front wall12A of the case12in a state where the shutter16is located at the block position.

Accordingly, also in the fourth embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment are obtained.

Fifth Embodiment

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described.

The fifth embodiment is different from the first to fourth embodiments in that a light leakage section60is provided in a shutter operating member18.

As shown inFIGS. 16 to 19, the shutter operating member18for moving the shutter16between the block position and the open position is provided in the case12.

A long hole64is formed in the top wall12C of the case12.

In the present embodiment, the shutter operating member18and the long hole64are provided in a place through which some light beams emitted from the image projection unit46are transmitted.

The shutter operating member18includes an inside portion18A, which is located inside the case12and is connected to the shutter16, and an operating portion18B which protrudes from the inside portion18A, passes through the long hole64, and protrudes above the case12.

A blocking plate portion18C for blocking the long hole64at the block position is provided in the inside portion18A.

A light transmission section66, which is formed of a material that transmits light therethrough and through which some light beams emitted from the image projection unit46leak above the top wall12C of the case12, is provided in a place of the blocking plate portion18C which blocks the long hole64at the block position.

A light leakage section60E is formed by the light transmission section66.

Similar to the light transmission section62in the fourth embodiment, the light transmission section66may be formed of a translucent material, that is, a material which transmits light while reducing light. Various known materials may be used as the translucent material.

In the present embodiment, other portions of the inside portion18A excluding the blocking plate portion18C are formed of a material of blocking light.

In the fifth embodiment, if the shutter16is located at the open position as shown inFIGS. 16 and 17, the long hole64is blocked in a portion of the inside portion18A excluding the blocking plate portion18C and an image is projected onto the screen2by the projector apparatus10in this state.

Accordingly, in a state where the projector apparatus10is operating, light is blocked at the inside of the long hole64by the inside portion18A.

If the shutter16is located at the block position as shown inFIGS. 18 and 19when the projector apparatus10projects an image onto the screen2, the projection of an image to the screen2is temporarily stopped.

In addition, the long hole64is blocked by the blocking plate portion18C of the inside portion18A.

Accordingly, some light beams emitted from the image projection unit46leak above the top wall12C of the case12from the light leakage section60E in a state where the projector apparatus10is operating.

As a result, also in the fourth embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment are obtained.

Particularly, since light leaks above the top wall12C of the case12, the user can see that the projector apparatus10is in the operating state very easily. That is, this is because an object is not placed above the projector apparatus10where an image is projected even if an object may be placed at the right or left side of the projector apparatus10or behind the projector apparatus10.

In addition, although the case where the light leakage section60E allows some light beams emitted from the image projection unit46to leak to the outside of the case12has been described in the fifth embodiment, it is needless to say that the light leakage section60E may be provided to allow some light beams emitted from the light source44to leak to the outside of the case12.

Moreover, instead of forming the light leakage section60E with a translucent material, one or a plurality of through holes each of which has a sufficient diameter to transmit light therethrough may be provided in a place of the blocking plate portion18C, such that the light leakage section60E is formed by the through holes.

Sixth Embodiment

Next, a sixth embodiment will be described.

The sixth embodiment is different from the first to fifth embodiments in that light emitted from the image projection unit46is made to blink or the light is made to have a specific color at the block position of the shutter16.

Hereinafter, the case will be described in which the sixth embodiment is applied to the configuration of the first embodiment. However, the sixth embodiment may also be applied to all configurations of the first to fifth embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 6, the projector apparatus10has a shutter position detector68which detects whether the shutter16is located at the open position or the block position and supplies the detection result to the control unit42.

Various known detectors, such as a microswitch and a photo-interrupter, may be used as the shutter position detector68.

When a situation where a warning is to be given to the user occurs, for example, the temperature in the projector apparatus10has risen to the abnormally high temperature while the projector apparatus10is operating, the control unit42controls the image projection unit46to display a warning message on the screen2.

Such a warning display operation is effective when the shutter16is located at the open position, but it is difficult to display a warning message on the screen2when the shutter16is located at the block position.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control unit42performs one of the first to third warning operations, which will be described below, when the situation where a warning is to be given to the user occurs in a state where the shutter position detector68has detected that the shutter16is located at the block position.

The first warning operation is to make light emitted from the image projection unit46blink by controlling the image projection unit46.

By performing the first warning operation, light leaking from the light leakage section60A blinks. This is advantageous in that the user can notice the occurrence of abnormal situation reliably and quickly.

In this case, if the interval at which light blinks is shortened, that is, if the speed at which light blinks is increased as time passes after starting the warning operation, the user can notice the warning more easily. This is advantageous in that the user can notice the occurrence of abnormal situation reliably and quickly.

The second warning operation is to make light emitted from the image projection unit46have one red color by controlling the image projection unit46.

By performing the second warning operation, red light leaks from the light leakage section60A. This is advantageous in that the user can notice the occurrence of abnormal situation reliably and quickly.

Particularly when the input of an image signal from an external device is stopped, it is general to make light of one gray color or light of one blue color emitted from the image projection unit46and to display the gray or blue color on the screen2in order to notify the user that the input has been stopped.

Thus, since the red light which is different from the gray or blue light is emitted, the user can notice the warning more easily. This is advantageous in that the user can notice the occurrence of abnormal situation reliably and quickly.

The third warning operation is to make light emitted from the image projection unit46blink as one red color by controlling the image projection unit46.

By performing the third warning operation, red light leaks from the light leakage section60A and the red light also blinks. This is advantageous in that the user can see the occurrence of abnormal situation reliably and quickly.

In this case, if the interval at which light blinks is shortened, that is, if the speed at which light blinks is increased as time passes after starting the warning operation, the user can notice the warning more easily. This is advantageous in that the user can see the occurrence of abnormal situation reliably and quickly.

In addition, in the second and third warning operations, the color of light emitted from the image projection unit46is not limited to the red color. For example, it is possible to emit light of orange or yellow color which is apparently different from the gray and blue colors.

However, if the red light is adopted like the present embodiment, the user can visually notice the warning more easily. This is more advantageous in that the user can notice the occurrence of abnormal situation reliably and quickly.

In addition, any component may be used as the light leakage sections60A to60D as long as the component can allow some light beams emitted from the light source44or some light beams emitted from the image projection unit46to leak to the outside of the case12. Moreover, the position, shape, and size of the light leakage section may be arbitrarily set.

The present application contains subject matter related to that disclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2009-015232 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Jan. 27, 2009, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.