Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is based upon, and claim the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-159494, filed May 28, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     1. Field  
         [0003]     Embodiments of the present invention relate to a projection device having a lamp section. More specifically, the present invention relates to a projector which supplies electricity power to a lamp section after an authentication process at time of power supply, and a control method.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Currently, a large number and wide variety of digital video devices are commonly used. Among them are projectors, such as LCD (liquid crystal display) projectors and DLP (digital light processing) projectors using a light source lamp. These projectors such as LCD projectors feature an authentication process is set to prevent illegal operation by a disinterest person or an outsider.  
         [0006]     Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 2003-69923 discloses a projector system including a projector and a personal computer. According to the document, an authentication process requiring a password is provided in a configuration where a projector and a personal computer are connected, whereby to prevent interception of video information supplied from the personal computer and to enable imparting a predetermined level of security to the projector.  
         [0007]     As described above, in the system for authentication process inputting a password by the user of the personal computer in order to establish communication with the projector according to the password projected on the screen, the projector is already supplied power before the process of projecting the password on the screen. Thus, the projector does not have any authentication process at time of power supply by itself.  
         [0008]     However, in such the projector, generally, elements, particularly, the lamp section is an expensive consumable. As such, security measures are necessary to prevent possible events where when the projector is left for a long time with power entered by illegal operation of an undue outsider, the service life of the lamp section is wasted whereby to fade out. Under such circumstances, security measures are demanded for power supply of the lamp section. However, the prior art has a problem in that security measures to protect the lamp section are not available.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The features and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention in which:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary block diagram of a configuration of a projector according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are individually exemplary overviews of the projector according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a plan section view showing one example of operation switches of the projector according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a cross section view showing an exemplary optical configuration of the projector according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a plan section view showing one example of an exemplary remote controller used with the projector according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart showing an exemplary authentication operation of the projector according to one embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart showing an exemplary setting operation of a security function of the projector according to one embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0017]     With reference to the accompanying drawings, a projector according to one embodiment of present invention will be described in detail herein below.  
         [0018]     The projector according to one embodiment of the invention provides security against a user in the following manner. At time of power supply, an operation sequence associated with a specific operation switch is pre-stored, and an authentication process is set. According to the authentication process, even when a power switch is depressed, unless the operation sequence associated with the specific operation switch set thereafter is present, the electronics power is not supplied to, particularly, the lamp section.  
         [0019]     By reference to the drawings, the following will provide a detailed description, particularly, by reference to the projector by way of example.  
       A. Configuration of an Embodiment of the Projector  
       [0020]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2A , and  2 B, the projector according to the invention is configured as follows.  FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing one example of a configuration of a projector according as an embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 2A and 2B  are exemplary overviews of the projector as an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]     In general, projector  1  comprises, broadly, an input/output selection section  20 , various terminals including LAN connections and a tuner section  12 , an audio preamp section  21 , an audio amp section  22 , an operation section  23 , a remote control section  24 , a control section  27 , a power-supply section  29 , a light source (e.g., lamp section)  31 , a video section  34  and an expander section  35 . The relationship between each section, being hardware and/or software, is as follows.  
         [0022]     Various components are connected to the input/output selection section  20 . By way of example, there are at least connected a wireless LAN (wireless local area network)  10  used in radio communication in indoors the like; a wired LAN  11 ; the tuner section  12  which receives a broadcast signal from an antenna and which supplies the received signal; a D-SUB terminal  13 , which is shown as being an input/output terminal  50 , for connection of, primarily, a computer or the like; a YCbCr terminal  14  for connection to which a commercial-use VTR (video tape recorder), a BS digital tuner, a DVD player, or the like is frequently connected; an S-video terminal  15  used for a VTR, TV set, or the like; and a CVBS (composite video blanking and sync) terminal  16  which is a composite signal.  
         [0023]     In addition, an audio terminal  18  is connected to the audio preamp (preamplifier) section  21 . The audio preamp section  21  processes an input signal and supplies the processed signal to the audio amp (amplifier) section  22  and a speaker  19 . Such processing may include, but is not limited to the adjustment of audio volume, audio quality, acousto-optic effect, and the like.  
         [0024]     The input/output selection section  20  supplies selected and video-converted RGB signals to the control section  27 . According to control signals from the control section  27 , the input/output selection section  20  and the audio preamp section  21  are controlled for their operation and processing.  
         [0025]     The projector  1  further includes operation section  23  provided with, for example, a power switch and operation switches; an operation display section  23 - 2  which displays operation information; a remote control section  24  which performs a communication process to communicate with a remote controller R (shown in  FIG. 5 ); and an RS232C terminal  25  for taking-in control signals and a memory section  26 . These components are individually connected to the control section  27  while the operation section  23  and the operation display section  23 - 2  are deployed on the main body of the projector  1 .  
         [0026]     The control section  27  has a memory section  28 , a lamp-power-supply control section  32 , and an operation sequence storage section  32 - 3 . Additionally coupled to control section  27 , for example, an angle sensor  38  which detects the angle of the projector  1  used for keystone correction described below, and a focus motor/zoom motor  39  contained in a lens unit  37  of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0027]     The projector  1  further has a setup-mode set section  33  which sets any one of various setup modes (described below) upon reception of an output of the control section  27 ; a video process section  34  which performs a video image process upon reception of an output of the setup-mode set section  33  and a video signal from the control section  27 ; an expander section  35  which expands the video signal, which has undergone the video image process in the video process section  34 , in units of each of R, G, and B signals; and an R LCD (liquid crystal display) section  36 R, a G LCD section  36 G, and a B LCD section  36 B which performs image display on, for example, an LCD screen upon reception of an LCD driving current from the expander section  35 .  
         [0028]     The projector  1  further includes a power-supply section  29 . A driving current at a desired output rate is supplied from the power-supply section  29  to a lamp section  31  through a switch section  32 - 2 . In the lamp section  31 , projection light having been projected arrives at each LCD section  36 R,  36 G, and  36 B and passes therethrough; and the light is projected as being the light including video images onto a screen (not shown) or the like. Operation of the switch section  32 - 2  is controlled by the lamp-power-supply control section  32 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a plan section view showing one example of operation switches of the projector as an embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to  FIG. 3 , specifically the operation section  23  has the following elements. They are a power switch K 1 , an upward cursor key K 2 , a downward cursor key K 3 , a leftward cursor key K 4 , a rightward cursor key K 5 , a return key K 6 , an input key K 7 , a menu key K 8 , a setup key K 9 , LEDs (light emitting diodes) L 1  to L 4 , and an enter key K 10 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a cross section view showing one example of an optical configuration of the projector as an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0031]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , in an optical configuration of the projector  1 , a projection lamp  31  is disposed near an optical unit  41 . Illuminating light emitted from optical unit  41  is passed through a multilens system  42  and a convex lens  43  provided adjacent the multilens system  42 , passed through or reflected off a transmissive mirror  44 , and is then transmitted through each LCD section  36 R,  36 G,  36 B.  
         [0032]     Thereby, the illuminating light from the lamp section  31  is projected in an image-carrying state through the projection lens  37  and is then imaged on a screen (not shown) or the like. The projection lens  37  incorporates a built-in focus motor/zoom motor, in which each control signal are supplied from the control section  27  and appropriate focus control and zoom control are responsively performed.  
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a plan section view showing one example of a remote controller used with the projector as an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0034]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the remote controller used with the projector  1  according to one embodiment of the present invention includes various keys and buttons. As an illustrative example, these keys and buttons include, but are not limited or restricted to the following: an input switch button  51  for switching of input signals; a selection/OK button  52  including an upward cursor key  52 - 1 , a downward cursor key  52 - 2 , a leftward cursor key  52 - 3 , a rightward cursor key  52 - 4 , and an enter key  52 - 5  for performing selection or determine in selection or adjustment at menu; a menu button  53  for performing menu display; various setting switches  54 ; the picture mode buttons  55  for selecting a video image mode; a size button  56  for selecting the screen size; a user button  57  for calling a registered user setup; a freeze button  58  for freezing the motion of images; a surround button  59  for performing mode selection regarding a surround effect; a sleep button  60  for temporarily turning off image and voice presentations; and a zoom button  61  for performing magnified screen display.  
         [0035]     In a configuration where the projector  1  as an embodiment is connected to an external device, although not shown, a video deck (external input device) may be connected thereto by using CVBS terminal  16 , audio terminal  18 , and/or S-video terminal  15 . In addition, the projector  1  may be connected with a DVD player (external input device) by using YCbCr terminal  14 . Generally, the projector  1  as an embodiment of the present invention may be connected with a personal computer (external input device) by using D-SUB terminal  13 .  
       B. Basic Operation  
       [0036]     Basic operation of the projector  1  described above will now be described in detail herein below with reference to the drawings. To begin with, when a power-on operation of the operation section  23  or an operation of the remote controller has been recognized, when the below-described security function of the lamp power-supply is not as yet set, the projector  1  is activated, and a video signal specified by the input switch button  51  or the like is selected by the input/output selection section  20 .  
         [0037]     More specifically, in this stage, “YPbPr” button, for example, is selected by the operation of the input switch button  51  of the remote controller or the like, a component video signal from the external DVD player is selected by the input/output selection section  20  through YCbCr terminal  14 . Then, the component video signal is determined by the input/output selection section  20  for the signal type, in which an image conversion process is performed corresponding to the signal type, and an RGB signal is then output.  
         [0038]     The above is not limited to the case of the component signal received from the YPbPr terminal  14 , but is applicable to other cases. For example, suppose that a video signal is received from a network through the wireless LAN  10  or the wired LAN  11 , or a video signal is received from tuner section  12 , or a video signal is received from S-video terminal  15 , or a video signal, which is a composite signal, is received from CVBS terminal  16 .  
         [0039]     Even in the each case, the same operation as that described above is performed in such a manner that the signal is specified by operation section  23  or  24 , the type of the video signal is determined, and the video signal is image-converted to an RGB signal.  
         [0040]     The RGB signal supplied from the input/output selection section  20  is supplied to the control section  27 . Concurrently, control signals are supplied by the setup-mode set section  33  to the video process section  34  in correspondence to, for example, an image pattern and video image size specified using the size button  56  by the operation section  23  or the remote control section  24 . In the video process section  34 , the image conversion process is performed on the RGB signal, which has been supplied from the control section  27 , in correspondence to the supplied control signals from the setup-mode set section  33 . Thereby, the video signal is converted to an RGB signal in conformity to the specified image pattern and video image size.  
         [0041]     Now suppose that operation of the picture mode buttons  55  for selecting the video image mode specifies “CINEMA”. In this event, an image process is performed on an RGB signal corresponding to the specified video image mode, and the RGB signal is then converted into a movie-representing video signal, for example.  
         [0042]     Video signals thus converted are supplied from the video process section  34  to the expander section  35 , is expanded for each of the R, G, and B signals, and are displayed to LC (liquid crystal) screens of each R LCD section  36 R, G LCD section  36 G, and B LCD section  36 B. Concurrently, in a driver section  30  to which the electronics power has been supplied from the power-supply section  29 , output is controlled to, for example, 100% output or 50% output, and a driving current is supplied therefrom to the lamp section  31 .  
         [0043]     Projection light corresponding to the driving current is generated in the lamp section  31 . Then, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the projection light is passed through the multilens system  42  and convex lens  43  provided adjacent the multilens system  42 , passed through or reflected off a transmissive mirror  44 , and is transmitted through each LCD section  36 R,  36 G, and  36 B. Thereby, the projection light from the lamp section  31  is projected in an image-carrying state through the projection lens  37  and is then imaged on a screen (not shown) or the like. The projection lens  37  incorporates a built-in focus motor/zoom motor, in which each control signal are supplied from the control section  27  and appropriate focus control and zoom control are responsively performed.  
         [0044]     Further, in correspondence to the operation section  23  or the remote control section  24 , such as operation of the zoom button  61  or the like, the control signals generated in the control section  27  are supplied to, for example, the focus motor and zoom motor, whereby to impart appropriate focus and zoom control, for example, to the projection light.  
       C. Authentication Process (Security Function) at Power-On Time  
       [0045]     The projector  1  having basic functionality as described above, performs an authentication process (security function) of the lamp power-supply as described below.  
         [0046]     The authentication process at time of power supply will now be described in detail herein below with reference to the drawings.  FIG. 6  is a flow chart showing an example of an authentication operation of the projector  1  as an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 7  is a flow chart showing one example of a setting operation of the security function of the projector  1  as an embodiment of the present invention.  
       C-1. Authentication Process  
       [0047]     Firstly, the authentication process at time of power supply will be described with reference to the flow chart of  FIG. 6 . In the projector  1 , a power cord from the power-supply section  29  is plugged into, for example, a home-use receptacle, in which when an AC voltage is applied to the power-supply section  29 , a predetermined power of, for example, 5 V or 12 V is supplied to the control section  27  (block S 11 ).  
         [0048]     In this state, the processing enters a standby mode, specifically, a power-on standby mode awaiting an event where power switch K 1  is depressed by a user (alternatively, the power-on operation can be performed using the remote controller). This state is a preparatory stage for power-on with power switch K 1  or the like, in which the switch section  32 - 2  is off; that is, power is unsupplied from the power supply section  29 , so that the lamp section  31  is not turned on.  
         [0049]     Upon depression of the power switch K 1  (block S 12 ), processing of the control section  27  determines whether the authentication process at time of power supply is set for the lamp-power-supply control section  32  of the control section  27  (block S 13 ). If the security function is not operating, the state enters a power-on state (block S 17 ).  
         [0050]     According to one embodiment of the invention, the process may be configured as follows. If the security function is operating, the state becomes ready to receive an authentication code, and the lamp-power-supply control section  32  of the control section  27  controls, for example, LEDs L 1  to L 4  to blink, thereby presenting a display indicating that the security function has been set and that prompts input with the operation switches (block S 14 ). In addition, the operation display section  23 - 2  of the operation section  23  may present the display to notify that a security function is set and to prompt the input. Further, as an optional feature, a prompting sound is output from a speaker  19  through audio amp  22 , or an audio component (not shown) is used to output a prompting “beep” sound.  
         [0051]     In response to the above, the user inputs the authentication code by using either main body keys K 1  to K 10  shown in  FIG. 3  or input buttons  51  to  61  shown in  FIG. 5  (block S 15 ). Responsively, the lamp-power-supply control section  32  of the control section  27  compares the input operation sequence with the authentication code stored in the operation sequence storage section  32 - 3  of the control section  27  to determine whether a match is detected (block S 16 ).  
         [0052]     If the comparison results in a mismatch, the processing returns to the power-on standby mode of the above-described block S 12  to await depression of the power switch K 1 . In this event, as described above, the processing preferably notifies of the mismatch by means of, for example, blinking LEDs L 1  to L 4 , display on the operation display section  23 - 2 , beep sound from the speaker  19 .  
         [0053]     If the comparison results in a match between the user-input operation-switch sequence and the authentication code being stored in the operation sequence storage section  32 - 3  (block S 16 ), a control signal is supplied to the switch section  32 - 2  from the lamp-power-supply control section  32 , and power of the lamp power-supply system is supplied from the power-supply section  29  (block S 17 ). In this stage, if a portion awaiting the power supply is present, power is supplied in a manner similar to the above, whereby the state thereof is shifted to a normal operation mode (block S 18 ).  
         [0054]     In this stage, however, an event is contemplated in which while security is not completely cancelled and an additionally predetermined authentication code such as password input or key operation is requested even after the power supply, responsive operations cannot be performed. To deal with this event, the process may be arranged such that even when a video signal is supplied, the video process section  34  and the expander section  35  are controlled by the control section  27  to not allow display on the R LCD section  36 R, the G LCD section  36 G, and the B LCD section  36 B. Thereby, very high security is imparted to the projector  1 .  
       C-2. Setting Processing  
       [0055]     In the above stage, the operation sequence of, for example, the operation section  23  or the remote controller R is arbitrarily settable. The following will describe the settable operation sequence in detail. As shown in a flow chart of  FIG. 7 , in addition to a regular adjustment setting menu, a dedicated security-function setting menu is preferably provided to enhance the level of protection regarding operation and termination of the security function the authentication-code registration.  
         [0056]     A menu screen is invoked (block S 21 ), and further, a dedicated security-function setting menu is invoked, whereby operation is performed to switch the mode of the security function of the lamp power-supply system from a termination mode to an operation mode (block S 22 ). Then, an authentication code for permitting the power-on operation is input (block S 23 ).  
         [0057]     In this stage, various settings can be performed for operation of the operation switches to input a pre-stored authentication code. That is, various keys can be used including, for example, the individual upward, downward, leftward, and rightward cursor keys K 2  to K 5 , the input key K 7 , the return key K 6 , the menu key K 8 , the setup key K 9 , and the enter key K 10 . These keys may be depressed in combination in such a manner as “upward K 2 , upward K 2 , leftward K 4 , rightward K 5 , then rightward K 5 ” keys. As an illustrative example, one type of operation-switch operation procedure for inputting a pre-stored authentication code may include a depression procedure as “input key K 7 , menu key K 8 , return key K 6 , then return key K 6 ”, which is not popularly contemplated in regular operations.  
         [0058]     It is also noted that predetermined operation switches of the remote controller be depressed in a predetermined procedure. Further, the procedure may be set such that the power switch K 1  (or an other key) is kept depressed for a predetermined time frame, e.g. 10 seconds, to thereby performing the setting. Moreover, the procedure may be set such that power switch K 1  (or an other key) is depressed predetermined number of times, e.g. five times. Thus, the operation switches for inputting the authentication code can be set independently of regular operations, with all combinations for the overall operation section.  
         [0059]     Re-input of the input, pre-stored authentication code is prompted (block S 24 ). If the two inputs are identical to each other, power-supply security is in the operation mode, and concurrently, the operation-switch sequence representing the pre-stored authentication code is stored into the operation sequence storage section  32 - 3  under control of the lamp-power-supply control section  32  (blocks S 25  and S 26 ). Finally, the setting menu is terminated responsively to an instruction (block S 27 ).  
         [0060]     According to the operations described above, the security function of the lamp power-supply system is set. This prevents a situation, for example, where a power-on operation is performed by an undue outsider, thereby shortening the service life of the expensive lamp section. In addition, according to the projector, such events can be prevented in which unnecessary power-on/off operations causes the lamp section to fade out, and the power of the projector is inadvertently turned on due to an erroneous operation.  
         [0061]     As described above in detail, the projector is characterized as follows. An authentication process for power supply to the lamp section is performed at power-on time. An operation sequence of operation switches is pre-stored in a user setup operation. Then, when a user depresses the power switch to perform a power-on operation, light emitting diodes or the like blink to prompt execution of the authentication process with the operation switches or the like. In this stage, while power is supplied to a control section and others, the power is not supplied to the lamp section, whereby security is imparted to the projector.  
         [0062]     Specifically, with a projector, a fault event is predicted in which since the projector is powered on by an undue outsider whereby turning on the lamp and is left as is for as long as one month, a service life of the expensive lamp section is used up thereby. Such the fault event can be prevented according to the authentication process with the operation switches or the like. Further, according to the projector, such events can be prevented in which unnecessary power-on/off operations causes the lamp section to fade out, and the power of the projector is inadvertently powered on due to an erroneous operation.  
         [0063]     Selection of a pre-stored authentication code, which may be selected through an input sequence of predetermined operation switches for example, can be arbitrarily set by a user from a menu screen. For example, the procedure is used for depression of at least one of the individual upward, downward, leftward, and rightward cursor keys, the input key, the return key, the menu key, the setup key, and the enter key. That is, the cursor keys may be depressed in such a manner as “upward, upward, leftward, rightward, then rightward” keys. Further, according to another example, the operation-switch operation procedure may be such a key depression procedure as “input key, menu key, return key, then return key”, which is not popularly contemplated in regular operations. It is also contemplated that the power switch is kept depressed for, for example, eight seconds for specification.  
         [0064]     According to the various embodiments described above, those skilled in the art will be able to implement the invention, and various other modified examples would easily occur to those skilled in the art. For instance, in lieu of selecting a sequence of operation switches as an authentication code, an electronic image may be stored such as a fingerprint, retina scan, face geometry and the like. The projector may be implemented with a reader to compare the pre-stored electronic image and allow power to be supplied to the lamp section. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but the invention covers a broad range of applications as long as the applications do not contradict the principles and novel features disclosed herein.  
         [0065]     For example, whereas the above-described embodiments have each been described with reference to the example projector, the invention is enforceable with a wide variety of electronic devices. Particularly, the invention is of course adaptable with to electronic devices in a similar manner to those described above with similar operation and effects to those described above as long as the devices contain components such as a projector lamp section specifically desired to be protected.

Technology Category: 5