Display device

Display device

Field of invention

The present invention relates to display devices such as projectors.

Background of the invention

A projector, in the form of a display device, for displaying images on screens and other projection surfaces. The projector typically includes a light source (such as a light member) that turns on a portion of the reduced power consumption program when the projector is turned on, and can turn off a portion of the power reduction when the projector is turned off. Consumption program. Many light sources operate at a relatively high temperature, and when the projector is turned off, it takes a considerable amount of time (usually some time or more) to cool the light source to a temperature at which it can be turned back on. Therefore, when a projector is turned off, it cannot be turned on immediately. This is true even when a cooling fan is used to speed up the cooling process.

After a projector is turned off, it cannot be turned on immediately, and it is relatively unreasonable under normal circumstances. However, in such instances, the delay can be quite frustrating when the user turns off the projector before the publication ends (because the power button is deliberately or inadvertently pressed). A proposed solution forces the user to confirm that he or she wants to turn off the projector after the power button is initially pressed. More specifically, when the power button is pressed, instead of a simple turn-on power down procedure, some projectors will display a message indicating that the user must press the power button a second time to initiate the power down procedure. The projector will remain in this "waiting for confirmation" state until the user presses the power button a second time.

The inventors of the present invention have determined that forcing the user to press the power button twice is not a satisfactory solution to the problem of the negligent power drop. For example, pressing the power button a second time to confirm that the projector is to be turned off may be quite annoying and inconvenient in such instances when the user wants to go immediately to the next part of the presentation or meeting, such as answering Problem or end of sale. Moreover, in such instances, the user will not see the information when the user's back is facing the projection surface. If he or she forgets that the button must be pressed a second time, the projector will continue to illuminate the screen and cause the listener to distract the user from the next part.

Summary of invention

The following is a detailed description of the presently preferred modes of the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but merely as a clarification of the general principles of the invention. It must be noted that detailed descriptions of projectors and other display devices, those not related to the present invention, such as image programs, will be omitted for the sake of simplicity. The invention is also applicable to a wide range of projector technologies and systems, including those that have been developed and not yet developed. For example, although the display device exemplified below is a digital light processing ("DLP") projector, others such as a liquid crystal display ("LCD"), a cathode ray tube ("CRT"), and Projectors such as liquid crystal on silicon ("LCOS") are the same and can be applied to the present invention. Other forms of display devices, such as monitors, may also be employed in the present invention.

Simple illustration

A detailed description of specific embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a projector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the projector illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a projector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3A is a schematic diagram of a remote control in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flow chart of a projector operating method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an example of a projector 100 is associated with a number of structural and operational components substantially similar to the Hewlett-Packard xp8010 digital projector. The illustrated projector, generally indicated by the numeral 100 in Figures 1-3, includes a housing 102 that is supported by the foot 104. In these examples, the side foot 106 supports the projector when the user opens the projector on its side. A handle 107 can be used to carry the projector.

In the illustrated embodiment of the mold body illustrated in Figures 1-3, a projection lens 108, a focusing knob 110, and an IR receiver 112 are combined on the front side of the housing 102 (i.e., the facing side of the projection surface). ). The IR receiver 112 can be used to receive signals from a wireless remote control unit 114, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, having a small keyboard 114a, circuitry 114b, and IR transmitter 114c. The keys on the keypad 114a can include, for example, up, down, left, right, enter, and power buttons. The remote unit is operatively coupled to the projector 100 via an electrical wire or in place of an RF transmitter/receiver configuration of the IR transmitter 114c. A handle 116 that allows the user to raise and lower the front face of the bipod 104, which can also be coupled to the front edge of the outer casing 102. The rear side of the outer casing 102 (i.e., the viewer facing side) includes two sets of slots 118 for the presenter 120 (Fig. 3) and an I/O panel 122. The I/O panel 122 includes a plurality of plugs, apertures, and connectors, which are generally indicated by reference numeral 124. The different plugs, apertures, and connectors may include, but are not limited to, audio and video input and output apertures, USB apertures, VGA apertures, RS232 apertures, LAN apertures, wired control inputs and outputs, and a security slot. An AC plug 126 that is mounted to connect to a power line, and a power button 128 that can be used to turn the projector 100 on and off, are disposed on the I/O panel 122.

The exemplary projector 100 includes different image forming members. Although the invention is not limited to any particular projector, the illustrated projector 100 is a DLP projector. More specifically, referring to FIG. 3, the image forming member 130 includes a light source 132 (such as a very high pressure mercury lamp), a lens and color filter device 134, and a DLP panel 136. The DLP board 136 typically has a processor, a memory, and a digital reflective device. In the conventional form. The image forming member 130 receives, processes, and projects image information. For example, the digital reflective device includes a plurality of micromirrors that may be tilted toward or away from the light source 132. Each of the micromirrors reflects light received from the light source 132, through the lens and color filter device 134, through the projection lens 108 and a pixel on a projection surface. When the same micromirror is tilted toward the light source 132, a pixel will be turned "ON" (or lit), and when the same micromirror is moved away from the light source, the pixel will be turned off (or darkened) ).

Referring to FIG. 3, the entire operation of the illustrated projector 100 is controlled by a projector controller 138, which is stored locally by a suitable hardware (including a processor and/or a combined logic circuit system). The soft body in the memory, and / or the firmware component. Software stored in a memory, such as a semiconductor memory (for example, RAM), a computer memory, a magnetically readable memory, an optically readable memory, and a network access memory, Several can be used. This operation includes, for example, a procedure to control the rise of power and the fall of power. Many of the operations, including the process of power ups and power drops, occur in response to instructions from the user or by a device such as a personal computer. With respect to the program for power down, the program is typically initiated by the user via the power button 128 or a power command on a power button on the remote keypad 114a. However, it must be noted that the power command can also be a power command from a connected computer, a voice command from a user to actuate the system, and a power signal from a touch screen connected to the projector. The remote or some other device, or a laser pointer (with a signal embedded in the laser tip). The controller 138 also receives a signal from a temperature sensor 140, such as a thermocouple or thermistor, which monitors the temperature of the source 132. The controller 138 can adjust the temperature of the light source 132 by, for example, controlling the speed of the light source cooling fan 142 using the temperature message. The fans 142 can also be used to cool the light source 132 after the projector has been powered down.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an example of a method of controlling the power rise and power down programs by the illustrated controller 138 is performed in the following manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the method will be controlled by the operation of the software of the controller 138. The software generates a plurality of instructions that are executed by the controller 138.

Referring to Figure 4, after receiving a signal from the power button 128, the remote control unit 114, or other device (step 200), the smallest circuitry is powered when the projector is turned off or in a sleep mode. The controller 138 will attempt to turn on the light source 132 regardless of whether the light source is at or below the projected temperature (step 202). If the light source 132 is at or below the projected temperature, the light source will be turned on (steps 204 and 206). If not, the controller 138 will wait for a predetermined time (step 208) while the fan 142 continues to cool the light source 132 and then attempts to turn the light source on (step 202). Each time the controller 138 attempts to restart the light source, the projector itself will be reset and the projector circuitry will expect the light source 132 to be turned "on" and restarted. After the light source 132 has been cooled to the projected temperature, the next attempt by the controller 138 will succeed and the light source will be turned on (step 26). At this point, the projector 100 is energized (or "turned on") and can be used to project an image onto a projection surface and/or transmit sound as desired (step 210).

The projector 100 will continue to operate in a conventional manner until the controller receives a power command. In the illustrated embodiment, the power command is formed by a signal from the power button 128, a power button on the remote keypad 114a, or other device (step 212). Instead of immediately starting the power down procedure, the projector 100 will instead give the user a chance to prevent the power down procedure from occurring. More specifically, the controller 138 will begin a period of delay, for example, about 3 to 5 seconds, during which the user can prevent the start of the power down procedure (step 214). In some executions, the controller 138 will also cause all of the pixels to be in an OFF (or darkened) state such that no light is projected onto the projection surface during the delay ( Step 216). The controller 138 can optionally cause the projector to display a message on a small portion of the projection surface, which implies that the user has a feature that prevents the projector from being turned off during the delay (substantially primarily dimming) chance. This information is also possible, if desired, to show the time before the start of the power down procedure, ie the time remaining in the delay period.

In the illustrated embodiment, the beginning of the power down procedure can be prevented by transmitting a second power command to the controller 138 prior to the end of the delay period (step 218). In the illustrated execution program, the second power command is formed by the power button 128, a power button on the remote keypad 114a, or other means. If the controller 138 receives the second power command earlier than the end of the delay period, the controller will not perform the power down procedure, and instead turn on (or light) the pixel, and keep the projector 100 As soon as the power consumption state is increased (step 220), it can be used to project an image on the projection surface and/or transmit sound as desired (step 210). In these examples, the projector 100 projects a projected image on a projection surface. When the first power command is received by the controller 138, the pixels will revert to forming the image necessary to form the image. The state of these separates. While some pixels can be turned off to produce a particular image, when a group of such pixels is considered open.

If, on the other hand, the controller 138 does not receive a second power command prior to the delay period, the controller will begin the power down procedure, which includes, among other things, turning off the light source 132 (step 222) . The projector 100 will then enter the low power sleep state or fully power down (step 224).

There are many advantages associated with the projector of the present invention and the method of corresponding power commands. For example, the projector of the present invention provides the user with an opportunity to prevent the power down procedure, as well as the delay in restarting the projector, in the example, the power button 128 or a power on the remote keypad 114a. The button is pressed inadvertently by mistake or purposefully pressed. In such instances, when the user actually closes the projector correctly and intentionally, the projector of the present invention can also achieve additional processing in the method without having the user press the power button. operating. The projector will simply turn off during this short delay.

Although the invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiments described above, various modifications and/or additions to the above-described preferred embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. By way of illustration and not limitation, the invention may be incorporated in the <RTIgt; Here, the button to turn off power will be monitored at step 212 and any button will be monitored at step 218. Further, the period of 3 to 5 seconds may extend the low end to 2 seconds, and the high end to 10 seconds or more. It is contemplated that the scope of the invention extends to such modifications and/or additions to the invention.

<p>100Projector</p><p>102Shell</p><p>104 Foot</p><p>106foot</p><p>107Handles</p><p>108Projection lens</p><p>110 Focusing spherical protrusions</p><p>112IR receiver</p><p>114Wireless remote control unit</p><p>114aSmall keyboard</p><p>114bCircuit system</p><p>114cIR emitter</p><p>116Handle</p><p>118 slit</p><p>120 Speaker</p><p>122I/O panel</p><p>124 pores</p><p>126AC embolism</p><p>128Steps to provide button power</p><p>132Light source</p><p>134Filter</p><p>136DLP board</p><p>138Projector Controller</p><p>140temperature sensor</p><p>200Steps to provide button power</p><p>202Steps to try to turn on the light source</p><p>204Steps to cool the light source</p><p>206Steps to turn on the light source</p><p>208Steps for cooling delay</p><p>210Steps to project as desired</p><p>212Steps to provide button power</p><p>214Steps to turn on delay</p><p>216 steps to turn off pixels</p><p>220Steps for pixel opening</p><p>218Steps to provide button power during the delay</p><p>222Steps for power reduction</p><p>224 Closed or steps in a sleep mode</p>

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a projector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the projector illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a projector in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3A is a schematic diagram of a remote control in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flow chart of a projector operating method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.