JP2005148556A - Projector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a projector which has excellent portability and can perform projection by being easily attachably and detachably held in standard image output equipment, such as a personal computer. <P>SOLUTION: The projector includes a light source and a main body section 2 having an optical modulation section for modulating the light emitted from the light source based on the image signal inputted from the output terminal of the image output equipment and a projection optical system for forming the projected image on the projection surface by projecting the light modulated by the optical modulation section. The above projector includes a mechanical interface 1 which is connected to the main body section 2 and attachably and detachably holds the projector at the image output equipment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a projector that projects an image on a projection surface.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a projector that enlarges and displays light that is light-modulated based on an image signal on a screen by a projection lens. Such a projector is usually placed side by side with an image output device on a table such as a desk, receives an image signal output from the image output device through a cable, and displays an image on a liquid crystal panel. The projected image is magnified and displayed on the screen surface that is enlarged.

  Since such a projector has a problem of poor portability of freely projecting an image in various places, a personal computer in which the projector is configured together with a personal computer which is an image output device is disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4. Proposed.

A personal computer with a projector integrated with the main body of the personal computer. (For example, Patent Document 1)
A personal computer with a built-in or built-in projector that can prevent the projected image from shaking. (For example, Patent Document 2 etc.)
A personal computer with a display unit made up of a projector. (For example, Patent Document 3)
Notebook computer with RGB projector unit on the back. A notebook computer comprising a notebook computer main body, a connection connector located on the back side and an RGB projector unit connectable by a cable. (For example, Patent Document 4)
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-326123 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-221642 JP-A-8-328487 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-69328

  However, since the projectors proposed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are fixed and integrated with a personal computer, the projector can be detached and attached to another standard personal computer for use. Is not expected. Further, since the projector is integrated with the personal computer, the projector becomes an unnecessary equipment that deteriorates the portability of the personal computer when the projector is not used.

  Moreover, the projector as proposed in Patent Document 3 is used as a dedicated display unit of a personal computer attached with the projector, and it is possible to remove the projector and connect it to another standard personal computer. It is not assumed.

  Further, the RGB projector unit as proposed in Patent Document 4 is used by being connected to a connection connector of a personal computer, but this connection does not hold the RGB projector unit to the personal computer.

  The present invention has been made to solve at least one of the above-described problems, and is excellent in portability, and can be easily held and projected on a standard image output device such as a personal computer. It is to provide a projector that can be used.

In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention includes a light source, a light modulation unit that modulates light emitted from the light source based on an image signal input from an output terminal of an image output device, and the light A projector having a main body having a projection optical system for projecting light modulated by the modulator and forming a projection image on a projection surface, the projector being connected to the main body, and connecting the projector to the image output device It has a mechanical interface to hold it detachably.

  In the present specification, the “mechanical interface” refers to those that can be mechanically coupled to each other without having means for performing mutual communication and control.

  A projector according to a second aspect of the present invention is the first aspect, wherein the mechanical interface is adapted to be detachably attached to the output terminal.

  A projector according to a third aspect of the present invention is the second aspect, and is configured to receive at least one of an image signal and a power supply from the output terminal via the mechanical interface.

  The projector according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the second aspect, wherein the output terminal is a slot or a port. Note that the slot of the projector according to this aspect includes various slots such as a CompactFlash (registered trademark) card slot and a PC card slot.

  The projector according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is any one of the first to fourth aspects, and the mechanical interface is rotatably connected to the main body.

  A projector according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is any one of the first to fifth aspects, and the main body is divided into two via a rotatable connecting portion.

  A projector according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the projector according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the optical axis direction of the emission part of the projection optical system is variable with respect to the base axis of the main body part. It is.

  The projector according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is any one of the second to seventh aspects, wherein the image output device is a portable information terminal device, and the output terminal is provided in the portable information terminal device. An image signal or a power supply is received from the slot or port provided through the mechanical interface, and the projection surface is a desk surface. Note that the slot of the projector according to this aspect includes various slots such as a CompactFlash (registered trademark) card slot and a PC card slot.

  A projector according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is any one of the second to eighth aspects, wherein the image output device is a portable information terminal device, and the projector is attached to the image output device. The portable information terminal device is configured to be foldable until the surface having the largest area and one of the side surfaces of the projector are substantially parallel and in contact with each other.

A projector according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is any one of the second to seventh aspects,
The output terminal is a slot or port provided on the front surface, side surface, or back surface of a notebook personal computer, receives at least one of an image signal or power supply from the slot or the port via the mechanical interface, and the projection surface. Is a wall surface.

  The projector according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is any one of the second to seventh aspects, wherein the output terminal is the port provided on a front surface, a side surface, or a rear surface of a notebook computer, Receiving the image signal via the mechanical interface, the projection plane is a substantially vertical plane.

  A projector according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is any one of the first to eleventh aspects, and is based on the image detection means for detecting the projection image and the projection image detected by the image detection means. Focus adjustment means for adjusting the focus of the projection optical system is provided.

  Since the projector of the present invention has a general-purpose mechanical interface, it is possible to easily install the projector for image projection and to use it easily.

  The present invention will be described below with reference to first to tenth embodiments.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 shows an outline of a projector 10 according to the present embodiment, in which a lower view is a side view and an upper view is a plan view. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the projector 10 according to the present embodiment is attached to the PCMCIA port of the portable information terminal device 8 placed on the cradle 9. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the state shown in FIG. A side view is shown. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the projector 10 of the present embodiment attached to the portable information terminal device 8 is not placed on the cradle 9 but is held by holding it with the hand 14 to project an image. A perspective view is shown. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the projector 10 according to the present embodiment is attached to the compact flash (registered trademark) card slot, the PC card slot 12 or the like on the side surface of the notebook computer 29. FIG. 17 is a block diagram of the components constituting the main body 2 of the projector 10 according to this embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a projector 10 according to the present embodiment includes a mechanical interface 1, a main body 2 of the projector, and a connecting portion 13 that rotatably connects the mechanical interface 1 and the main body 2. An image is projected based on an image signal input from an image output device (not shown).

  The projector 10 of the present embodiment includes a mechanical interface 1 and is characterized in that the mechanical interface 1 and the main body 2 are connected via a rotatable connecting portion 13.

  In FIG. 17, the main body 2 of the projector according to the present embodiment includes a light source 3, an LCD display element 4, a projection optical system 5, and a control circuit 6.

  The light source 3 is composed of an LED (light emitting diode) that emits white light, emits light to be subjected to light modulation, and irradiates the light modulation element 4. As the light source 3, a xenon lamp, a metal halide lamp, or a tungsten lamp can be used in addition to the LED. The light source 3 is not particularly limited as long as it has a high luminance. Moreover, you may use LED which emits each light of red, green, and blue as a light source.

  The LCD display element 4 is composed of a reflective or transmissive liquid crystal display element. The LCD display element 4 functions as a spatial light modulation element that forms a spatial image of an image to be projected and reflects or reflects or transmits light emitted and emitted from the light source 3. As the spatial light modulator, in addition to the LCD display element 4, a DMD element in which a large number of micromirrors are arranged to function as an optical switch can also be used. An electrochromic display (ECD) can also be used. In addition, a self-luminous SED (Surface-Condition Electron-Emitter Display), ELD, or VFD can also be used. When the self-luminous type is used, the light source 3 is not necessary.

  The projection optical system 5 is composed of optical components such as a lens or a reflecting mirror, and projects the modulated light modulated by the LCD display element 4 onto the projection surface 7 through the projection unit 19 of the projection optical system to enlarge and display the projection image. To do. In other words, the projection optical system 5 forms an image of the display image displayed on the LCD display element 4 on the projection plane 7 through the emission unit 19 shown in FIGS.

  In FIG. 17, the control circuit 6 inputs an image signal of an image to be projected output from the image output device, and displays the image on the LCD display element 4 based on the image signal. In addition, a display drive signal is output to the light source 3, an illumination drive signal is output to the light source 3 to cause the light source 3 to emit light, and the overall operation of the projector 10 is controlled.

  In FIG. 1, the mechanical interface 1 of the projector 10 of the present embodiment is a holding means for holding the projector 10 so that it can be easily attached to and detached from an image output device that outputs an image signal of an image to be projected. Function as. Examples of the image output device include a notebook personal computer and a portable information terminal device (PDA or the like). When the projector 10 according to the present embodiment is held by a target image output device, the holding posture with respect to the image output device is fixed, and the mounting posture and the holding posture with respect to a desk or the like on which the image output device is installed are set. A projected image is projected in a corresponding direction.

  The connection part 13 of the projector 10 of this embodiment connects the mechanical interface 1 and the main-body part 2 so that rotation is possible. 2 and 3, the portable information terminal device 8 holding the projector 10 is installed in a standard mounting posture, and the mechanical interface 1 is compact. When the projector 10 is held in a slot such as a flash (registered trademark) card slot or PC card slot, the projector 10 is adjusted so as to be substantially parallel to the projection plane of the projected image.

  2 and 3, the mechanical interface 1 of the projector 10 according to the present embodiment is configured to be detachably inserted into a slot 12 included in the portable information terminal device 8. By inserting the mechanical interface 1 into the slot 12, the mechanical interface 1 is held in the slot 12, and since the mechanical interface 1 connects the main body 2, the projector 10 is connected to the portable information terminal device 8. Retained. That is, if the installation posture of the portable information terminal device 8 is determined, the posture of the projector 10 is dependently determined. The portable information terminal device 8 is placed on a cradle 9, and the cradle 9 is placed on a desk surface 11 that is a projection surface. As described above, the projector 10 according to the present embodiment is installed on the desk surface 11 serving as a projection surface via the cradle 9, the portable information terminal device 8, and the slot 12 included in the portable information terminal device 8. Since the projector 10 of this embodiment has a mechanical interface so that it can be inserted into the mechanically standardized slot 12, if one projector 10 is prepared, the image output device is structurally standardized. As long as the slot 12 is provided, it can be easily attached to and detached from any type of image output device.

  2 and 3, the slot 12 of the portable information terminal device 8 is configured to be able to supply image signals and power. The projector 10 according to the present embodiment is configured such that an image can be projected and displayed by an image signal or power supplied from the slot 12. In the mechanical interface 1 of the projector 10 of the present embodiment, when inserted into the slot 12, a connection terminal that comes into electrical contact with an electrical contact provided in the slot 12, and a current is guided from the connection terminal to the main body 2. An electrical path is provided.

  With the configuration described above, the projector 10 according to the present embodiment inserts the mechanical interface 1 into the slot 12 and installs driver software having information necessary for driving and controlling the projector 10 according to the present embodiment. By being incorporated in the device 8 in advance, it can be held in the portable information terminal device 8 and at the same time supplied with image signals and power. Since it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated cable for connection, the projector 10 can be easily installed in a short time. Moreover, since a cable is unnecessary, it is not troubled by the wired cable.

  The projector 10 of the present embodiment is compatible with the electrical output of the slot 12 that is electrically matched by incorporating into the portable information terminal device 8 driver software having information necessary for driving the projector 10 of the present embodiment. Since the projector 10 is configured to be able to receive the image signal and the power supply, it is possible to prepare one projector 10 and simply attach the mechanical interface 1 to the slot 12.

  Note that the driver software may be incorporated in advance in the portable information terminal device 8, or may be incorporated in the portable information terminal device 8 when the projector 10 of the present embodiment is used for the first time.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the projector 10 of the present embodiment changes the angle formed by the main body 2 with respect to the mechanical interface 1 by rotating the rotatable connecting portion 13. be able to. As a result, even if the relative angle between the desk surface 11 and the cradle 9 or between the cradle 9 and the portable information terminal device 8 is not changed, the projection onto the desk surface 11 that is the projection surface can be performed only by rotating the connecting portion 13. The angle can be changed easily, freely, and stably. Then, the light flux 15 of the projection light can be emitted in an arbitrary direction. Note that the angle θ formed between the base shaft 35 of the main body and the emission unit 19 of the projection optical system is set to be smaller than 90 degrees. Then, when the base axis 35 of the main body is adjusted to be substantially parallel to the desk surface 11, the angle formed by the projection direction and the desk surface becomes θ smaller than 90 degrees, and the projector 10 or the mobile phone is used when observing the projection image. Blind spots caused by the information terminal device 8 and the cradle 9 are less likely to be seen and easy to see.

  In FIG. 9, the projector 10 of this embodiment is held by inserting the mechanical interface 1 into the slot 12 provided on the side surface of the notebook computer 29. Since the slot 12 has a standardized structure and electrical contacts and is compatible with what is provided in the portable information terminal device 8, driver software necessary for driving the projector 10 of the present embodiment on a notebook computer is provided. By simply replacing the same projector 10 from the portable information terminal device 8 to the notebook personal computer 29 in the assembled state, it can be used as already described in the case of the portable information terminal device 8 shown in FIG. Therefore, when the user selects a wall surface as the projection surface, the connecting unit 13 is rotated so that the projection direction of the emission unit faces the wall surface, and the projection light 15 is directed to the display of the notebook computer 29. It can be released in a different direction from the surface. Therefore, similarly to the portable information terminal device 8, the projection position can be adjusted by changing the projection direction of the emission unit 23 in a direction different from the display surface of the display already provided. Other than the user of the notebook computer 29, the projected image displayed by the notebook computer 29 can be observed with a natural posture. The effect when attached to the notebook personal computer 29 is the same as when attached to the portable information terminal device 8.

  In FIG. 4, the projector 10 of this embodiment is attached to the portable information terminal device 8, and is not placed and held on the cradle 9 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, but with the hand 14. Hold by grabbing.

  According to the present embodiment, the projection surface (desk surface, wall surface, etc.) and projection direction of the projection image projected by the projector 10 can be freely changed simply by moving or rotating the hand holding the portable information terminal device 8. it can.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 5 shows a side view of the outline of the projector 10 of this embodiment in a state where it is attached to the portable information terminal device 8 placed on the cradle 9. Since the components, functions, and effects of the projector 10 of the present embodiment are the same as those of the projector of the first embodiment except for the following points, repeated descriptions of common parts are omitted.

In the projector 10 of the present embodiment, the mechanical interface 1 and the main body 2 are fixedly connected rather than via the rotatable connecting portion 13 as in the projector of the first embodiment. The main body 2 includes a first main body portion 16, a second main body portion 17, and a connecting portion 18 that are connected to the mechanical interface 1. The connecting portion 18 is a standard installation posture of the projector 10, For example, as shown in FIG. 5, in the posture when the portable information terminal device 8 is placed, the second main body portion 17 is substantially parallel to the desk surface 11 that is the projection surface with respect to the first main body portion 16. It is characterized in that it is connected so as to be rotatable around a rotating shaft. The first body portion 16 and the second body portion 17 are preferably elongated in the direction from the mechanical interface 1 toward the connecting portion 18. One end of the first main body portion 16 is connected to the mechanical interface 1 that is inserted into and attached to the slot 12 of the portable information terminal device 8, and the other end of the first main body portion is connected to one of the connecting portions 18. Is done. The second body portion 17 is provided with at least the projection optical system 5, the light source 3, and the LCD display element 4, and one end of the second body portion 17 is connected to the other of the connecting portions 18. In the projector 10 of the present embodiment, the angle θ ₁ formed by the base axis 39 of the second main body portion and the projection unit 19 of the projection optical system is set to be smaller than 90 degrees. Then, the second body portion of the base shaft 39 when adjusted substantially parallel to Tsukuemen 11, when the angle formed the projection direction and the desk surface becomes small angle theta ₂ than 90 degrees, observing the projected image Blind spots due to the projector 10, the portable information terminal device 8, and the cradle 9 are less likely to occur and are easy to see.

The projector 10 according to the present embodiment rotates the connecting portion 18 that can be rotated, so that the projection angle with respect to the desk surface (projection surface) 11 is simply rotated as in the projector according to the first embodiment. θ ₂ can be changed easily, freely, and stably.

  Further, the projector 10 according to the present embodiment is higher in the position of the rotatable connecting portion 18 by the length of the first main body portion 16 than the projector 10 according to the first embodiment. This is advantageous in displaying images on a large screen because a blind spot due to the occurrence of a blind spot is difficult to occur and a long projection distance can be secured.

  Further, in the projector 10 of the present embodiment, the position of the projection unit 19 of the projection optical system protrudes from the connecting unit 18 by an amount substantially equal to the length of the second main body portion 17, so that the portable information terminal device 8, the cradle 9, etc. The number of blind spots in the image is small, and even if the image is projected onto the desk surface (projection plane) 11 at a projection angle close to vertical, there are few blind spots in the projected image.

  The present invention is not limited to the provision of the LCD display element 4 and the light source 3 in the second main body portion 17, and the LCD display element 4 and the light source 3 are provided in the first main body portion 16 to emit light from the LCD display element 4. May be transmitted by a fiber bundle and transmitted to a conjugate position on the projection surface of the projection optical system 5 provided in the second main body portion 17.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 6 shows a side view of the outline of the projector 10 of the present embodiment in a state where it is attached to the portable information terminal device 8 placed on the cradle 9. Since the components, functions, and effects of the projector 10 of the present embodiment are the same as those of the projector of the first embodiment except for the following points, repeated descriptions of common parts are omitted.

  In the projector 10 of the present embodiment, the mechanical interface 1 and the main body 2 are fixedly connected, not via the rotatable connecting portion 13 like the projector of the first embodiment, and the main body The projection direction of the rotatable projection optical system 22 of the part 2 is configured to be rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the base axis (more precisely, the base axis of the main part of the main body part 2) 35 of the main body part 2. (It is a so-called swivel type, and its rotation direction is indicated by an arrow 20). The projection direction 23 of the rotatable projection optical system 22 is substantially the same as the desk surface 11 that is the projection surface in the standard installation posture of the projector 10, that is, the standard placement posture of the portable information terminal device 8. It rotates about a rotation axis that is parallel and substantially perpendicular to the base shaft 35. In order to make the projection direction 23 rotatable, the object position that moves with the rotation of the rotatable projection optical system 22 (here, the object position is the projection surface of the rotatable projection optical system 22). The LCD display element can be moved, or a fiber bundle is disposed between the LCD display element and the rotatable projection optical system 22, and one end face of the fiber bundle is disposed on the LCD. The other end face of the fiber bundle may be disposed in the vicinity of the display surface of the display element with the object position, and the display image of the LCD display element may be transferred to the object position of the projection optical system 22 that can be rotated by the fiber bundle. . In this way, the rotatable projection optical system can project the display image of the LCD display device onto the projection surface via the fiber bundle. Since the fiber bundle has flexibility, the other end face of the fiber bundle can be moved to the object position that moves in accordance with the rotation of the rotatable projection optical system 22.

In the projector 10 of the present embodiment, the main body 2 is elongated in a direction from the mechanical interface 1 toward the rotatable projection optical system 22, and the rotatable projection optical system 22 is provided in the main body 2. However, it is preferable to be provided at a position as far as possible from the mechanical interface 1. In addition, the angle θ ₃ formed by the projection direction 23 of the emission unit and the desk surface 11 is adjusted to be smaller than 90 degrees by rotating the rotatable projection optical system 22, whereby the projected image is observed. When this is done, blind spots due to the projector 10, the portable information terminal device 8 and the cradle 9 are less likely to occur and are easy to see.

  The projector 10 of the present embodiment is rotatable as compared with the projector 10 of the first embodiment by providing a rotatable projection optical system 22 at a position as far as possible from the mechanical interface 1 of the elongated main body 2. Since the position of the projection optical system 22 is higher, a blind spot due to the main body 2 is less likely to occur in the projected image, and a long projection distance can be secured, which is advantageous for displaying a large screen image. is there.

[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 7 shows a schematic side view of the projector 10 of the present embodiment in a state where the projector 10 is attached to the portable information terminal device 8 placed on the cradle 9. Since the components, functions, and effects of the projector 10 of the present embodiment are the same as those of the projector of the first embodiment except for the following points, repeated descriptions of common parts are omitted.

  In the projector 10 of the present embodiment, the mechanical interface 1 and the main body 2 are connected via a rotatable connecting portion 13 as in the projector of the first embodiment, and the third embodiment. The projection direction of the rotatable projection optical system 22 of the main unit 2 is configured to be rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the base shaft 35 of the main unit 2 (the rotation direction is indicated by an arrow 20). ) Has its characteristics. In the projector 10 of the present embodiment, the main body 2 is elongated in the direction from the mechanical interface 1 toward the rotatable projection optical system 22, and the rotatable projection optical system 22 is configured as the main body 2. In this case, it is preferable to be provided at a position as far as possible from the mechanical interface 1.

The projector 10 of the present embodiment rotates the connecting portion 13 and the rotatable projection optical system 22 so that the base shaft 35 of the main body 2 is substantially parallel to the desk surface 11 as shown in FIG. The angle θ _{4 formed} by the projection direction 23 of the injection unit and the desk surface 11 is adjusted to be smaller than 90 degrees. By doing so, the projector 10, the portable information terminal device 8, and the cradle 9 are more likely to be projected by the projector 10 according to the present embodiment when the observer observes the projected image than by the projector 10 according to the third embodiment. The ratio of obstructing and blind spots is low, and the projected image is easy to observe. In addition, the projector 10 according to the present embodiment projects the projection angle and the projection distance by rotating the projection optical system 22 and the connecting unit 13 that can be rotated according to the projection environment such as the number of observers. The image formation position and dimensions can be adjusted.

[Fifth Embodiment]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an outline of the projector 10 according to the present embodiment, and shows a use state (projection state) when attached to the portable information terminal device 8 and a side view in the portable state. Since the components, functions, and effects of the projector 10 of the present embodiment are the same as those of the projector of the first embodiment except for the following points, repeated descriptions of common parts are omitted.

  In FIG. 8, the projector 10 according to the present embodiment can rotate the mechanical interface 1, the main body 2 of the projector, and the mechanical interface 1 and the main body 2 similarly to the projector according to the first embodiment. Are connected to the portable information terminal device 8 and used.

  The projector 10 of the present embodiment is configured to be foldable when attached to the portable information terminal device 8. That is, the projector 10 is attached to the portable information terminal device 8, the projector 10 is rotated to a predetermined opening angle with respect to the portable information terminal device 8 at the time of projection, and the projector 10 is reversed while being attached to the portable information terminal device 8 when being carried. It is configured so that one surface 25 of the projector 10 can be opposed to and substantially in contact with the widest surface 24 of the portable information terminal device 8 illustrated in FIG. There are features. One surface 25 of the projector 10 of the present embodiment is one of the surfaces with the largest area, and this one surface 25 of the projector and the surface 24 with the largest area of the portable information terminal device 8 substantially overlap in the folded state. It is preferable to meet.

  In order to enable folding as described above, the distance 26 between the rotation center of the connecting portion 13 and the surface 24 having the largest area of the portable information terminal device, and the distance 27 between the rotation center of the connecting portion and one surface 25 of the projector Are substantially equal to each other, and the concave portion 40 of the projector 10 and the convex portion of the portable information terminal device 8 are prevented from causing mutual interference between the concave portion 40 of the projector 10 and the convex portion 28 of the portable information terminal device 8 when folded. The shape of the portion 28 is determined.

  The projector 10 according to the present embodiment can be folded when being carried in combination with the same effects as the projector according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the projector 10 is excellent in portability and is always attached to the portable information terminal device 8. Therefore, it is possible to perform projection by simply opening the projector 10 to a predetermined opening angle in the projection state, and the preparation time is extremely short and easy to use.

[Sixth Embodiment]
FIG. 10 shows a schematic side view of the projector 10 of the present embodiment in a state where the projector 10 is attached to the RGB port 31 provided on the back surface of the notebook computer 29. Since the components, functions, and effects of the projector 10 of the present embodiment are the same as those of the projector of the first embodiment except for the following points, repeated descriptions of common parts are omitted.

  In FIG. 10, the mechanical interface 1 of the projector 10 of this embodiment is not configured to be plugged into the slot 12 as shown in FIG. 1, but is attached to the RGB port 31 of the notebook computer 29. In addition, the R, G, and B signals are received, and the notebook personal computer 29 can hold the projector 10 itself. The driving power of the projector 10 is supplied by a cable connection from a USB port (not shown) of the same notebook computer 29 or by a built-in battery of the projector 10.

  The projection surface projected by the projector 10 according to the present embodiment is the wall surface 30 as in the case of FIG. 9, and the connecting portion 13 is rotated so that the projection direction 23 of the emitting portion is directed toward the wall surface 30.

[Seventh Embodiment]
FIG. 11 shows a schematic side view of the projector 10 of the present embodiment in a state where the projector 10 is attached to the RGB port 31 provided on the back surface of the notebook computer 29. Since the components, functions, and effects of the projector 10 of the present embodiment are the same as those of the projector of the fourth embodiment except for the following points, repeated descriptions of common parts are omitted.

  In FIG. 11, the mechanical interface 1 of the projector 10 of the present embodiment can be attached by being inserted into the slot 12 of the portable information terminal device 8 like the projector of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 7. Rather than being configured, it is attached to the RGB port 31 on the back of the notebook computer 29 to receive R, G, B signals, and the notebook computer 29 can hold the projector 10 itself. Has been. The drive power of the projector 10 is supplied by a cable connection from a USB port (not shown) of the notebook type personal computer 29 to be attached or by a built-in battery of the projector 10.

  The projector 10 of the present embodiment has a projection surface that is the wall surface 30 as in the case of FIG. 9, and the projection on the wall surface 30 is performed by rotating the connecting portion 13 and the rotatable projection optical system 22. The position and the projection direction 23 onto the wall surface 30 can be freely adjusted.

[Eighth Embodiment]
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an outline of the projector 10 of the present embodiment. The projector 10 is mechanically interfaced with the notebook computer 29 by holding the display 32 of the notebook computer 29 by the mechanical interface of the projector 10. The side view of the state hold | maintained via is shown. Since the components, functions, and effects of the projector 10 of the present embodiment are the same as those of the projector of the first embodiment except for the following points, repeated descriptions of common parts are omitted.

  In FIG. 12, the mechanical interface of the projector 10 of this embodiment is not configured to be plugged into the slot 12 as in the first embodiment shown in FIG. A document is sandwiched so that an object such as 32 can be held. The mechanical interface of the projector 10 of this embodiment includes a pair of holding portions 33 for holding the display 32 of the notebook computer 29 for holding the projector 10, and includes the pair of holding portions 33 and the main body portion 2. A connecting portion 13 is provided that is rotatably connected.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the projector 10 according to the present embodiment holds the display 32 between the pair of holding portions 33 of the document-clipping mechanical interface 1, so that the projector 10 is connected to the notebook computer 29. Hold. The image signal and power are supplied through a cable 34 connected to the slot 12.

  In the projector 10 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the desk surface 11 is selected as the projection surface, the connecting portion 13 is rotated, the projection direction 23 of the ejection portion is directed toward the desk surface 11, and the projection image is displayed on the desk surface 11. Project to.

  Since the projector 10 of this embodiment includes a mechanical interface that is extremely simple and inexpensive, it can be easily and reliably held anywhere and is easy to use.

[Ninth Embodiment]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an outline of the projector 10 according to the present embodiment, and shows a side view of the projector 10 placed on the desk surface 11 with the pair of holding portions 33 constituting the mechanical interface facing downward. Since the components, functions, and effects of the projector 10 of the present embodiment are the same as those of the projector of the eighth embodiment except for the following points, repeated descriptions of common parts are omitted.

  In FIG. 13, the projector 10 of this embodiment has substantially the same components as the projector of the eighth embodiment. The projector 10 of the present embodiment is attached by holding the display 32 of the notebook computer 29 with a pair of holding portions 33, and does not project the projected image onto the desk surface 11, but as shown in FIG. In addition, one outer surface of the pair of sandwiching portions 33 of the mechanical interface is used as a bottom surface, and the bottom surface is placed facing the desk surface so that the bottom surface contacts the desk surface. Then, the connecting portion 13 is rotated so that the bottom surface thereof is adjusted to be substantially perpendicular to the base shaft 35 of the main body portion 2. In order to enable stable placement, in the present embodiment, the bottom surface needs to be flat.

  The image signal and the power are supplied via the cable 34 connected to the slot 12 of the image output device as in the case of the eighth embodiment.

  The projection surface is a wall surface 30.

  The projector 10 of this embodiment can be easily and reliably held at any place other than the desk surface as long as it is substantially horizontal and on a substantially flat surface, and is easy to use.

[Tenth embodiment]
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an outline of the projector 10 of the present embodiment, and shows an example in which the projector 10 is inserted and held in the slot 12 on the side surface of the notebook computer 29. FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a mechanism for adjusting the focus of the projection image 36 of the projector 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a mechanism for adjusting the illuminance of the projection image 36 of the projector 10 according to the present embodiment. The components, functions, and effects of the projector 10 of the present embodiment are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 9 of the projector of the first embodiment except for the following points. Omitted.

  In FIG. 14, the main body 2 of the projector 10 according to the present embodiment includes an AF sensor 37 that detects the focus state of the projected image 36 in addition to the components of the main body of the projector according to the first to ninth embodiments. An illuminance sensor 38 for detecting the illuminance of the projection image 36 is provided.

  In FIG. 15, the AF sensor 37 detects the focus state based on the projection image 36 and outputs a focus state signal to the control circuit 6. The control circuit 6 sends a focus control signal to the projection optical system 5 based on the focus state signal. The projection optical system 5 includes an AF actuator (not shown) such as a motor that can adjust the focus state based on the focus control signal. The AF actuator adjusts the focus of the projection optical system 5 based on the focus control signal. Focus.

  In FIG. 16, the illuminance sensor 38 detects the illuminance of the projection image 36 and outputs an illuminance signal to the control circuit 6. The control circuit 6 sends a brightness control signal to the light source 3 based on the illuminance signal. The light source 3 includes a light source control unit (not shown) that can adjust the emission luminance based on the brightness control signal, and the light source control unit adjusts the illuminance of the projection image 36 to an appropriate value based on the brightness control signal. To do.

  Since the projector 10 according to the present embodiment includes the focus state adjustment mechanism and the illuminance adjustment mechanism, the projector 10 can always focus automatically and observe a projection image in which the illuminance is automatically adjusted to an appropriate value. Since this is possible, adjustment of the projected image is easy.

  The present invention has been described with reference to the first embodiment to the tenth embodiment, but the scope of the present invention is two or more embodiments selected from the projectors of the first embodiment to the tenth embodiment. Needless to say, the present invention includes all the modified examples that can be easily inferred from the above-described explanation and the drawings. For example, in each embodiment, a desk surface or a wall surface is given as a preferable projection surface, but the projection surface is not particularly limited in the present invention.

  In each of the embodiments except for the eighth and ninth embodiments of the present invention, a mechanical interface is inserted into a compact flash (registered trademark) card slot, PC card slot, RGB port or USB port to support the projector. Although an example has been disclosed, the example held by each slot and port of the present invention is not limited to this example, and may be compatible with currently known expansion slots and various interfaces. A mechanical interface may be formed corresponding to the port, thereby holding the projector.

  In addition to the disclosed direction, the rotation direction of the rotatable connecting portion of the present invention is, for example, substantially parallel to the direction of the base shaft 35 of the main body and perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the connecting portion. A new rotation axis may be provided in the direction, and the rotation may be performed so as to be orthogonal to the rotation direction of the connecting portion described above. In this way, the degree of freedom increases depending on the projection direction. As a specific means, a universal joint may be provided in the rotatable connecting portion.

1 shows a projector according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the projector according to the first embodiment attached to the portable information terminal device 8. A side view of the projector of a 1st embodiment in the state where it was attached to personal digital assistant device 8 is shown. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that the projector of 1st Embodiment is hold | maintained with a hand and it projects. The side view of the projector of 2nd Embodiment in the state attached to the portable information terminal device 8 is shown. The side view of the projector of 3rd Embodiment in the state attached to the portable information terminal device 8 is shown. The side view of the projector of 4th Embodiment in the state attached to the portable information terminal device 8 is shown. The side view in the carrying state and use state of the projector of 5th Embodiment is shown. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the projector according to the first embodiment attached to the side surface of the notebook computer 29. The side view of the projector of 6th Embodiment in the state attached to the RGB port of the back surface of the notebook-type personal computer 29 is shown. The side view of the projector of 7th Embodiment in the state attached to the RGB port of the back surface of the notebook-type personal computer 29 is shown. The side view of the projector of 8th Embodiment in the state attached to the flat display part 32 of the notebook-type personal computer 29 is shown. The side view of the projector of 9th Embodiment in the state mounted in the desk surface 11 is shown. The side view of the projector of 10th Embodiment in the state attached to the side surface of the notebook computer 29 is shown. The block diagram explaining the mechanism of the focus adjustment of the projector of 10th Embodiment is shown. The block diagram explaining the mechanism of the illumination intensity adjustment of the projector of 10th Embodiment is shown. The block diagram of the projector of 1st-9th embodiment is shown.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mechanical interface 2 Main-body part 3 Light source 4 LCD display element 5 Projection optical system 6 Control circuit 7 Projection surface 8 Portable information terminal device 9 Cradle (mounting stand)
10 Projector 11 Desk surface (projection surface)
12 slot 13 connecting part 14 hand 15 projection light 16 first main body part 17 second main body part 18 connecting part 19 emitting part 20 of projection optical system arrow 22 indicating rotation direction rotatable projection optical system 23 projection of emitting part Direction 24 The largest surface 25 of the portable information terminal device 25 One surface 26 of the projector 26 The distance 27 between the rotation center and the surface 24 The distance 28 between the rotation center and the surface 25 The convex portion 29 The notebook computer 30 The wall surface (projection surface)
31 RGB port 32 Display 33 Nipping part 34 Cable 35 Base axis 36 Projected image 37 AF sensor 38 Illuminance sensor 39 Base axis 40 of the second main body part Recessed part

Claims (12)

A light source, a light modulator that modulates light emitted from the light source based on an image signal input from an output terminal of an image output device, and a light that is modulated by the light modulator is projected to form a projected image on a projection surface A projector having a main body having a projection optical system,
A projector, comprising: a mechanical interface coupled to the main body portion for detachably holding the projector to the image output device.   The projector of claim 1, wherein the mechanical interface is configured to be removably attached to the output terminal.   The projector according to claim 2, wherein the projector is configured to receive at least one of an image signal and a power supply from the output terminal via the mechanical interface.   The projector according to claim 2, wherein the output terminal is a slot or a port.   The projector according to claim 1, wherein the mechanical interface is rotatably connected to the main body.   The projector according to claim 1, wherein the main body is divided into two via a rotatable connecting portion.   The projector according to claim 1, wherein an optical axis direction of an emission part of the projection optical system is variable with respect to a base axis of the main body part.   The image output device is a portable information terminal device, and the output terminal receives an image signal or power supply from at least one of a slot or a port provided in the portable information terminal device via the mechanical interface, and the projection The projector according to claim 2, wherein the surface is a desk surface.   The image output device is a portable information terminal device, and with the projector attached to the image output device, the surface of the portable information terminal device having the largest area and one of the side surfaces of the projector are substantially parallel and The projector according to claim 2, wherein the projector is configured to be foldable until it comes into contact.   The output terminal is a slot or port provided on the front surface, side surface, or back surface of a notebook computer, receives an image signal or power supply from the slot or port via the mechanical interface, and the projection surface is The projector according to claim 2, wherein the projector is a substantially vertical surface.   The output terminal is the port provided on the entire surface, side surface, or back surface of a notebook computer, receives an image signal from the port through the mechanical interface, and the projection surface is a wall surface. Item 8. The projector according to any one of Items 2 to 7.   12. An image detection unit that detects the projection image, and a focus adjustment unit that performs focus adjustment of the projection optical system based on the projection image detected by the image detection unit. The projector according to any one of the above.

Images