JP2008134321A - Projector with imaging function - Google Patents

Abstract

A projector that has an imaging function, is small, lightweight, and has excellent portability.
A projector 1 having an imaging function according to the present invention includes an illuminating device 2 including a light source (laser light sources 12R, 12G, and 12B), and light from the illuminating device, either a first optical path or a second optical path. A light modulation device (DMD3) that deflects and modulates the light, and is arranged on the first optical path, projects light modulated by the light modulation device onto a projection surface, and emits light from an external subject. A projection / objective optical system (projection / objective lens 4) that captures and forms an image of a subject on the light modulation device, and an imaging device that is disposed on the second optical path and picks up an image of the subject on the light modulation device (CCD 5) and an imaging optical system (imaging lens 6) that forms an image of a subject on the light modulation device on the imaging device.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a projector having an imaging function.

  In recent years, in the field of projectors, home projectors have become widespread in addition to business projectors used in meetings and presentations. Further, as home projectors, for example, there is a growing need not only to install a projector in a living room or the like to view images at home, but also to take the projector outdoors and view images on the go. Along with such changes in applications, in recent years, development of projectors that are small, lightweight, and excellent in portability has been progressing.

  In addition, there is a demand for taking pictures and videos in addition to the above-mentioned video viewing when going out (for example, a travel destination). In such a case, conventionally, it is necessary for the user to bring a camera, a video camera, etc. in addition to the above-mentioned projector, and even if the portability of the projector, the camera, etc. is improved, both devices are used. Carrying around was a heavy burden. Therefore, the appearance of a device having both a projection function of a projector and a photographing function such as a camera is desired.

Incidentally, a projector having an image reading function is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. This projector is a digital light processing (hereinafter, abbreviated as DLP, registered trademark of Texas Instruments) system projector. The projector includes a digital micromirror device (hereinafter abbreviated as DMD) as a light modulation element, and an image sensor as an image reading unit. Then, the image on the screen is formed on the DMD by the projection lens, and the screen image on the DMD is read by the image sensor. As described above, according to this projector, it is possible to smoothly perform installation and adjustment work of the projector and the screen using the read screen image.
JP 2004-163876 A

However, although the projector described in Patent Document 1 has an image reading function, it does not satisfy the requirement to freely photograph an arbitrary subject like a camera or a video camera.
The reason is that the projector has a configuration in which a screen image is formed on the DMD by a projection lens, and light reflected by the DMD is incident on the image sensor. However, since the screen image is not configured to form an image on the image sensor, the image sensor only recognizes a rough image pattern on the screen. Therefore, even if it can be used for installation and adjustment work of a projector and a screen, an arbitrary subject targeted by the present invention cannot be sufficiently photographed.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a projector that has an imaging function of a camera, a video camera, and the like, is small, lightweight, and has excellent portability.

  In order to achieve the above object, a projector having an imaging function according to the present invention deflects an illumination device including a light source and light emitted from the illumination device to one of a first optical path and a second optical path. And a light modulation device that modulates the light and a light that is disposed on the first optical path and that is modulated by the light modulation device is projected onto a projection surface, and light from an external subject is projected. A projection / objective optical system that captures and forms an image of the subject on the light modulation device; an imaging device that is disposed on the second optical path and captures the image of the subject on the light modulation device; An imaging optical system that forms an image of the subject on the light modulation device on the imaging device.

  In the projector of the present invention, in the projection mode, the light modulation device deflects the light from the illumination device to one of the first optical path and the second optical path, and thereby modulates the light. A predetermined image is generated. Then, the image on the light modulation device is projected onto the projection surface by the projection / objective optical system arranged on the first optical path, and the user can appreciate the image. On the other hand, in the photographing mode, the projection / objective optical system captures light from an external subject, and an image of the subject is formed on the light modulation device. Then, the imaging device arranged on the second optical path captures an image of the subject on the light modulation device. At this time, since the projector according to the present invention includes an imaging optical system that forms an image of the subject on the light modulation device on the image pickup device, the image pickup device sharpens the image of the subject on the light modulation device. Can be imaged. Therefore, unlike the projector of Patent Document 1 that does not have an imaging optical system, an imaging function with sufficiently high resolution can be achieved.

The projector of the present invention can be exemplified by the following three modes as the light modulation device.
The light modulation device according to the first aspect is capable of reflecting light from the illumination device toward the projection / objective optical system and imaging light from the subject incident through the projection / objective optical system. This is a reflection type light modulation device capable of reflecting toward the device.
In other words, this configuration uses the off state of the reflection type light modulator when considered in the projection mode (the state in which the incident light to the reflection type light modulator is reflected outside the projection / objective optical system side), The reflected light at this time is incident on the imaging device. According to this configuration, since the projection mode and the photographing mode can be switched only by controlling the light reflection direction by the reflection type light modulation device, the device configuration is simplified.

More specifically, a reflection mirror array in which a plurality of reflection mirrors are arranged in an array can be employed as the reflection type light modulation device.
The reflection mirror array in this configuration is often used in general projectors, and it is not necessary to prepare a special light modulation device to realize a projector having the imaging function of the present invention.

The light modulation device according to the second aspect can control the diffraction direction of light, can diffract light from the illumination device toward the projection / objective optical system, and can pass through the projection / objective optical system. The diffractive light modulator is capable of diffracting incident light from the subject toward the imaging device.
Also in this configuration, as in the case of the reflection type light modulation device, the projection mode and the photographing mode can be switched only by controlling the diffraction direction of light by the diffraction type light modulation device, so that the device configuration is simplified.

The light modulation device of the third aspect is capable of controlling the emission direction of the transmitted light, can emit the light from the illumination device toward the projection / objective optical system, and the projection / objective optical system. A transmissive light modulation device capable of emitting light from the subject incident thereon through the imaging device toward the imaging device.
According to this configuration, unlike the reflection type and the diffraction type, the illumination device and the imaging device can be arranged on the side opposite to the side where the projection / objective optical system is arranged with the light modulation device as the center. Therefore, the degree of freedom of arrangement of components such as the projection / objective optical system, the illumination device, and the imaging device is increased, and the device design is facilitated.

More specifically, as the transmissive light modulation device, a polarization control element capable of controlling the polarization state of transmitted light, and changing the direction of emission of transmitted light according to the polarization state of light emitted from the polarization control element A configuration including a possible birefringent element can be employed.
As an example, for example, a liquid crystal light valve is used as a polarization control element capable of controlling the polarization state of transmitted light, and a birefringence element such as calcite is used as a birefringence element capable of changing the emission direction of transmitted light according to the polarization state of light. An anisotropic crystal having refractive properties may be used. As described above, a transmissive light modulation device suitable for the present invention can be easily configured using existing materials.

In the projector according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the lighting device includes a solid light source.
According to this configuration, by providing the illuminating device with a solid light source, the device can be miniaturized, the illuminating device can be turned on instantaneously, and an easy-to-use projector can be realized. Examples of the solid light source include a laser and a light emitting diode (LED). In particular, when a laser light source is used, the color saturation of the emitted light is excellent, so that a vivid color image can be obtained. Furthermore, in the case of a laser light source, since the emitted light is polarized light, an incident-side polarizing plate is not required when using a light modulation device such as a liquid crystal light valve that uses polarized light for display.

In the projector according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the illuminating device can emit light in different wavelength ranges in time order.
Although the projector according to the present invention may perform monochrome display, according to the configuration in which the illumination device emits light in different wavelength ranges in time sequence (time division) (a so-called color sequential method, a method called a color sequential method). Color display is possible without using a color filter by using only one light modulation device.

In the configuration employing the color sequential method, a configuration may be adopted in which a rotating color wheel is provided on the light emission side of the illumination device, and the rotating color wheel is positioned on the light incident side of the imaging device.
When realizing the color sequential method, a configuration including a plurality of light sources that sequentially emit light in different wavelength ranges (colors) may be used, or a configuration that uses a white light source and a rotating color wheel is disposed on the light emission side. good. In the latter case, if the rotating color wheel is further positioned on the light incident side of the imaging device, the imaging side can also capture the light from the subject for each color in a time-sharing manner, and reduce the number of pixels of the imaging device. Can be reduced. At this time, since the rotation color wheel is shared between the projection side and the imaging side, only one rotation color wheel is required, and the number of parts can be reduced and the apparatus can be downsized.

Alternatively, in the projector according to the present invention, the imaging device may include a color filter.
When performing color imaging, instead of the time division method as described above, the imaging device may be provided with a color filter and spatially color-combined. According to this configuration, a rotating color wheel is not necessary, which can greatly contribute to downsizing of the apparatus.

In the projector according to the aspect of the invention, the projector may further include a power supply unit that supplies power to the illumination device, and at least the light source and the power supply unit of the illumination device may be housed in a first housing and the light modulation may be performed. The apparatus, the projection / objective optical system, the imaging device, and the imaging optical system may be housed in a second housing separate from the first housing.
In general, lighting devices and power supply units generate heat, while light modulators, projection / objective optical systems, imaging devices, imaging optical systems, etc. require almost no driving energy, but rather are components that do not receive heat. It is. In that respect, with the above configuration, the illumination device and the power supply unit are accommodated in the first casing, and the light modulation device, the projection / objective optical system, the imaging device, and the imaging optical system are included in the second casing. Since it is accommodated, the cooling efficiency of the components on the first housing side is good, and the adverse effects due to the heat of the components on the second housing side can be eliminated. Further, since the power supply unit having a particularly heavy weight is separated, the optical system side can be reduced in size and weight, so that it is more portable.

In the projector according to the aspect of the invention, the illumination device may include a uniform illumination system that uniformizes an illuminance distribution of light from the light source, and light from the light source is introduced into the uniform illumination system via an optical fiber. Also good.
According to this configuration, since the light introduction path to the uniform illumination system made of optical fibers is flexible, the degree of freedom of arrangement of each component is increased, the device design is facilitated, and the device is downsized. be able to.

Further, in the configuration including the optical fiber described above, the illumination device includes a plurality of light sources each capable of emitting light in different wavelength ranges, and synthesizes the light in the different wavelength ranges between the plurality of light sources and the optical fiber. It is good also as a structure provided with the photosynthesis means to do.
According to this configuration, since a plurality of lights from a plurality of light sources are combined before being introduced into the optical fiber by the light combining means, only one optical fiber is required, and the apparatus configuration is simplified. Further, when a laser light source having high coherence is used, the occurrence of speckle (glaring due to interference fringes) becomes a problem. However, a speckle removing device can be arranged at a position where the photosynthesis means is arranged. .

In the projector according to the aspect of the invention, the imaging apparatus may include a solid-state imaging element.
According to this configuration, since the response speed of the solid-state imaging device is fast, it can be sufficiently applied to the above-described method of capturing an object image in the color sequence.

In the projector according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the projection / objective optical system has a zoom function, a focusing function, and a variable aperture function.
For a general projector having only a projection function, it is sufficient that the projection / objective optical system has a zoom function and a focusing function. However, since the projector of the present invention has an imaging function and the brightness of the subject may vary greatly depending on the case, it is particularly effective to provide a variable aperture function in the projection / objective optical system. As a result, even if the brightness of the subject changes, it is possible to perform shooting under the optimum aperture condition.

[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
The projector according to the present embodiment is an example of a projector that uses a DMD (reflection type light modulation device) as a light modulation device and has both a projection mode and a photographing mode.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a projector according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of each unit in the projection mode (only the components related to the operation in the projection mode are shown), and FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of each unit in the shooting mode (shooting). Only the components related to the operation of the mode are shown). FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing drive waveforms of the laser light source. In the following drawings, the scales of dimensions between the components are appropriately changed in order to make the components easy to see.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the projector 1 of the present embodiment includes an illumination device 2, a DMD 3 (light modulation device, reflection mirror array), a projection / objective lens 4 (projection / objective optical system), and a charge coupled device 5. (Charge Coupled Device, hereinafter abbreviated as CCD, imaging device, solid-state imaging device), imaging lens 6 (imaging optical system), and housing 7 are provided. The illumination device 2 emits light that illuminates the DMD 3 in the projection mode. The DMD 3 modulates incident light by deflecting the optical path of incident light when reflecting light incident from the illumination device 2. The projection / objective lens 4 is a lens for projecting light modulated by the DMD 3 onto a screen (projection surface), and capturing light from an external subject to form an image of the subject on the DMD 3. . The CCD 5 captures an image of a subject on the DMD 3 in the shooting mode. The imaging lens 6 is a lens for forming an image of a subject on the DMD 3 on the CCD 5.

  The illumination device 2 includes a laser light source unit 8, an optical fiber 9, a rod integrator 10 (uniform illumination system), and a magnifying lens 11. The laser light source unit 8 includes a plurality of laser light sources 12R, 12G, and 12B that each emit light of different wavelength ranges, that is, light of different colors. In the present embodiment, the plurality of laser light sources 12R, 12G, and 12B are laser light sources that emit red light (R light), green light (G light), and blue light (B light), respectively. The wavelength range of each color light is, for example, 580 to 780 nm for R light, 480 to 580 nm for G light, and 380 to 480 nm for B light. However, the division of the wavelength range is only an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  In the laser light source unit 8, a plurality of laser light sources 12R, 12G, and 12B are arranged together, and a cooling device 13 for cooling the plurality of laser light sources 12R, 12G, and 12B is provided with a plurality of laser light sources 12R, 12G, and 12B. It is arranged close to 12B. As the cooling device 13, various types of cooling devices such as a water cooling type and an air cooling type can be used regardless of the cooling method. In addition, an optical combiner 14 (light combining means) that combines color lights emitted from the plurality of laser light sources 12R, 12G, and 12B is provided, and the plurality of color lights are combined by the optical combiner 14. The optical multiplexer 14 has a built-in speckle canceller (not shown), and the speckle canceller suppresses the generation of speckle when combining highly coherent laser beams.

  One end of an optical fiber 9 is connected to the output end of the optical multiplexer 14, and a rod integrator 10 is connected to the other end of the optical fiber 9. A magnifying lens 11 is disposed on the light exit side of the rod integrator 10. With the above configuration, the color lights emitted from the plurality of laser light sources 12R, 12G, and 12B are combined by the optical multiplexer 14 and then incident on the rod integrator 10 by the single optical fiber 9. Each color light is uniformized in illuminance by the rod integrator 10 and simultaneously converted into a rectangular shape so as to match the shape of the light incident surface of the DMD 3 and then transmitted to the light incident surface of the DMD 3 by the magnifying lens 11. .

  The DMD 3 is a reflection type light modulation element provided with a micromirror 16 at a position corresponding to each pixel, and the brightness of the emitted light (reflected light) is changed by driving the micromirror 16 with an electrostatic force or the like to change the reflection angle. Modulate. The DMD 3 is characterized in that a light shielding portion such as a signal line and a driving transistor is formed below the micromirror 16, so that an aperture ratio (a ratio of a region where light can be used in a unit pixel region) is large and moire is not conspicuous. Have. In the DMD 3, the micromirrors 16 constituting the pixels are individually displaced according to the modulation signal to control the light reflection direction. In other words, the DMD 3 controls the time of each state by switching between a state in which light is incident on the projection / objective lens 4 (hereinafter referred to as an ON state) and a state in which light is not incident (hereinafter referred to as an OFF state). Performs luminance modulation of incident light. Therefore, the DMD 3 performs binary control of the ON state and the OFF state, and when viewed from the light incident through the projection / objective lens 4 from the outside of the apparatus, the reflected light when all the micromirrors 16 are in the ON state. On the other hand, the illuminating device 2 is arranged on the optical path, while the CCD 5 is arranged on the optical path of the reflected light when all the micromirrors 16 are in the OFF state.

  As the CCD 5 of this embodiment, a conventional general CCD having a large number of imaging elements with a predetermined number of pixels can be used. In addition to the CCD, an imaging tube, a CMOS sensor array, or the like can be used as the imaging device. A color filter (not shown) is provided on the light incident side of the CCD 5.

The projection / objective lens 4 has a zoom function, a focusing function, and a variable aperture function. Since the projection / objective lens 4 has a variable aperture function in addition to the zoom function and the focusing function, shooting can be performed under optimum conditions even when the brightness of the subject changes greatly in a shooting mode to be described later.
The focal point of the imaging lens 6 is fixed so that the image on the DMD 3 is formed on the image sensor of the CCD 5. Alternatively, the focal position of the imaging lens 6 may be variable.

  In the projection mode, the three laser light sources 12R, 12G, and 12B of the illumination device 2 are configured to emit R light, G light, and B light sequentially in time. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, one frame period is divided into three, and R light, G light, and B light are sequentially emitted every 1/3 frame period. Each color light is irradiated to the DMD 3 through the optical multiplexer 14, the optical fiber 9, the rod integrator 10, and the magnifying lens 11. Therefore, each micromirror 16 is driven based on the drive signal so that the DMD 3 also generates an image corresponding to each color light every 1/3 frame period. As described above, the projector 1 according to this embodiment is a so-called color sequential projector.

  When the light from the illuminating device 2 is irradiated onto the DMD 3, as shown in FIG. 2, the micromirrors 16 corresponding to the respective pixels of the DMD 3 are in different directions so that each pixel is turned on or off. Facing. Light reflected by the micromirror 16 a in the ON state is incident on the projection / objective lens 4, and light reflected by the micromirror 16 b in the OFF state is not incident on the projection / objective lens 4. That is, when the ON state pixel is in the bright state and the OFF state pixel is in the dark state, the DMD 3 controls each color light in the 1/3 frame period by controlling the bright state and the dark state for each pixel according to the drive signal. Generated image. Then, the image generated on the DMD 3 is projected on the screen 18 by the projection / objective lens 4. The user can see a full-color image by the integration effect of the image for each color light on the retina.

  On the other hand, in the shooting mode, as shown in FIG. 3, light from an arbitrary subject M outside the apparatus is taken in via the projection / objective lens 4 and formed on the DMD 3 to form an image of the subject M. Generated on DMD3. In the shooting mode, unlike the projection mode, all the micromirrors 16 corresponding to the respective pixels of the DMD 3 are set to be in the OFF state. Therefore, following the light path different from that in the projection mode, the light incident from the projection / objective lens 4 is imaged on the micromirror 16 in the OFF state on the DMD 3, and the image of the subject M is on the micromirror 16. Formed. At this time, the image of the subject M is focused not on the CCD 5 but on the DMD 3 by the manual focusing function or the automatic focusing function provided in the projection / objective lens 4. Further, the light reflected by the micromirror 16 is imaged on the image sensor of the CCD 5 by the imaging lens 6, so that the CCD 5 captures an image of the subject M on the DMD 3.

  In the projector 1 of the present embodiment, in the projection mode, each micromirror 16 of the DMD 3 modulates light by deflecting light from the illumination device 2 in different directions for each pixel, and a predetermined image is displayed on the DMD 3. Generated. Then, the image on the DMD 3 is projected on the screen 18 by the projection / objective lens 4 so that the user can view the image. On the other hand, in the shooting mode, light from the subject M is captured by the projection / objective lens 4 and an image of the subject M is formed on the DMD 3. Then, the CCD 5 captures an image of the subject M on the DMD 3. Here, since the imaging lens 6 that forms an image of the subject M on the DMD 3 on the CCD 5 is provided, the CCD 5 can clearly capture the image of the subject M on the DMD 3. Therefore, unlike the projector of Patent Document 1 that does not have an imaging optical system, it is possible to realize a projector having an imaging function with sufficiently high resolution.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which DMD3 which is a kind of reflection type light modulation device is used as the light modulation device, and reflected light from DMD3 is made incident on CCD 5 using the OFF state of DMD3. . According to this configuration, since the projection mode and the photographing mode can be switched only by controlling the light reflection direction (ON state, OFF state) by the DMD 3, the apparatus configuration is simplified. In addition, the lighting device is composed of laser light sources 12R, 12G, and 12B, and the color sequential method using only one DMD 3 is used to reduce the size and weight of the device. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, the illumination device 2 includes the rod integrator 10 that is a uniform illumination system, and light from the laser light sources 12R, 12G, and 12B is introduced into the rod integrator 10 through the optical fiber 9. Yes. Therefore, since the light introduction path made of the optical fiber 9 becomes flexible, the degree of freedom of arrangement of each component is increased, the device design is facilitated, and the device can be reduced in size. Furthermore, since the light from the plurality of laser light sources 12R, 12G, and 12B is combined by the optical multiplexer 14 before being introduced into the optical fiber 9, only one optical fiber 9 is required, and the apparatus configuration is simplified. In addition, since the optical multiplexer 14 includes a speckle canceller, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of speckle (glaring due to interference fringes) even when a highly coherent laser light source is used.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The projector according to the first embodiment uses a reflection type light modulation device (DMD) as the light modulation device, whereas the projector according to the present embodiment uses a transmission type light modulation device as the light modulation device. ing.
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the projector according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing only a portion of the transmissive light modulation device, and FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a modification of the transmissive light modulation device. In these drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 4 of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the projector 1 of the first embodiment has all the optical components such as the illumination device 2, the projection / objective lens 4, the CCD 5, and the imaging lens 6 on the side where the micromirror 16 of the DMD 3 is provided. Had been placed. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, the projector 21 of the present embodiment has the illuminating device 2, the CCD 5, the imaging lens 6 and the like arranged on one side when viewed from the center of the transmissive light modulation device 22. The projection / objective lens 4 is disposed on the other side. In the case of this embodiment, the positional relationship between the transmissive light modulator 22 and the illumination device 2 is such that the normal H1 passing through the center of the transmissive light modulator 22 and the central axis L1 of the light beam emitted from the illuminator 2 are. They are arranged so that they almost match. The internal configuration of the transmissive light modulation device 22 will be described later. In the case of this embodiment, the transmissive light modulation device 22 includes a liquid crystal light valve and a birefringent crystal.

  The operation of the transmissive light modulator 22 will also be described later. When the transmissive light modulator 22 is in the ON state, the light incident on the transmissive light modulator 22 from the illumination device 2 is inside the transmissive light modulator 22. Is substantially straight and enters the projection / objective lens 4. On the other hand, when the transmissive light modulator 22 is in the OFF state, the light incident on the transmissive light modulator 22 from the illumination device 2 is deflected inside the transmissive light modulator 22 and is not incident on the projection / objective lens 4. Injected into position. When the direction in which light is emitted when the transmissive light modulator 22 is in the OFF state is indicated by a two-dot chain line arrow Aoff, the CCD 5 and the imaging lens 6 are arranged on an extension line extending the arrow Aoff in the reverse direction. ing. The roles of the optical components such as the illumination device 2, the projection / objective lens 4, the CCD 5, and the imaging lens 6 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Next, the configuration of the transmissive light modulation device 22 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 6, the transmissive light modulation device 22 according to the present embodiment includes a liquid crystal light valve 23 (polarization control element) and a birefringent crystal 24 (birefringence element). The liquid crystal light valve 23 and the birefringent crystal 24 are arranged in this order from the light incident side (lower side in the figure). The liquid crystal light valve 23 is a liquid crystal panel such as a TN (Twisted Nematic) mode or a vertical alignment mode, and controls the polarization state of transmitted light according to the alignment state of the liquid crystal. The birefringent crystal 24 is a crystal having optical anisotropy such as calcite, for example, and deflects light according to the polarization state of incident light and emits it in different directions.

  In the case of the present embodiment, since the light emitted from the illumination device 2 is the light of the laser light source, even if there is no polarizing plate on the incident side of the liquid crystal light valve 23, the liquid crystal light valve 23 has linearly polarized light in a certain direction. Incident. Therefore, in the projection mode, as shown on the right side of FIG. 6, for example, it is assumed that light having a polarization direction perpendicular to the paper surface (light in this polarization direction is S-polarized light) is incident on the liquid crystal light valve 23. At this time, by controlling the alignment state of the liquid crystal with the liquid crystal light valve 23, S-polarized light is emitted as S-polarized light or light having a polarization direction parallel to the paper surface (light of this polarization direction is converted into P-polarized light). Switch to whether to inject. Next, the birefringent crystal 24 straightens the light if the incident light is P-polarized light, and deflects the light by a predetermined angle if the incident light is S-polarized light. In this example, when the liquid crystal light valve 23 converts S-polarized light to P-polarized light, the light emitted from the liquid crystal light valve 23 enters the projection / objective lens 4 through the birefringent crystal 24 (ON state), When the liquid crystal light valve 23 emits S-polarized light as it is, the light emitted from the liquid crystal light valve 23 is deflected by the birefringent crystal 24 and is not incident on the projection / objective lens 4 (OFF state). In this way, the transmissive light modulator 22 modulates incident light and generates an image.

  On the other hand, in the photographing mode, contrary to the projection mode, light from the subject is transmitted through the birefringent crystal 24 and the liquid crystal light valve 23 in this order. Since the light from the subject incident through the projection / objective lens 4 is natural light, it is randomly polarized light (light in which S-polarized light and P-polarized light are mixed). Therefore, as shown on the left side of FIG. 6, when light in which S-polarized light and P-polarized light are mixed is incident on the birefringent crystal 24, the P-polarized component travels straight inside the birefringent crystal 24, while the S-polarized component. Is deflected by a predetermined angle. Here, in the photographing mode, the alignment state of the liquid crystal light valve 23 is controlled so that incident light is emitted while maintaining its polarization state. Then, the light from the birefringent crystal 24 passes through the liquid crystal light valve 23 and the P-polarized component is guided to the illumination device 2 side, while the S-polarized component is emitted toward the imaging lens 6 and the CCD 5 side. This light is imaged on the CCD 5 by the imaging lens 6. In this way, the CCD 5 captures an image of the subject.

  The projector 21 according to the present embodiment can achieve the same effect as that of the first embodiment, such that a projector having a small size, a light weight, and a high resolution imaging function can be realized. Unlike the case of the first embodiment using the reflection type light modulation device, the illumination device 2 and the imaging lens 6 are arranged on the opposite side to the side on which the projection / objective lens 4 is arranged with the transmission type light modulation device 22 as the center. CCD5 etc. can be arranged. Therefore, the degree of freedom of arrangement of these optical components is increased, and device design is facilitated.

  In this embodiment, the illumination device 2 has been described as having the laser light sources 12R, 12G, and 12B. However, when a light source that emits randomly polarized light other than the laser light source is used, the configuration of the transmissive light modulator changes. Come. The configuration is shown in FIG. 7 includes a polarizing plate 27, a viewing angle compensation plate 28a, a liquid crystal light valve 23, a viewing angle compensation plate 28b, and birefringence from the side on which light from the illumination device 2 is incident (the lower side in the drawing). The crystals 24 are arranged in this order.

  In the case of this configuration example, in the projection mode, the light emitted from the illumination device 2 is randomly polarized light. However, since the polarizing plate 27 is disposed on the incident side of the liquid crystal light valve 23, among these lights, for example, S-polarized light is transmitted through the polarizing plate 27 (the transmission axis of the polarizing plate 27 is perpendicular to the paper surface). Thereafter, the operation until the light passes through the birefringent crystal 24 is the same as in the case of FIG. On the other hand, also in the photographing mode, the operation until the light exits the liquid crystal light valve 23 is the same as in the case of FIG. Thereafter, the P-polarized light component traveling straight through the liquid crystal light valve 23 is absorbed by the polarizing plate 27, but the S-polarized light component is transmitted through the polarizing plate 27 and emitted toward the imaging lens 6 and the CCD 5 side. This light is imaged on the CCD 5 by the imaging lens 6. In this way, the CCD 5 captures an image of the subject. The S-polarized component is deflected by the birefringent crystal 24 and then obliquely transmits the liquid crystal light valve 23. The viewing angle compensators 28a and 28b are respectively provided on the incident side and the exit side of the liquid crystal light valve 23. Is maintained, S polarization is maintained. In the projection mode, the light from the illumination device 2 is incident on the liquid crystal light valve 23 substantially perpendicularly, so that the viewing angle compensation plates 28a and 28b do not particularly function. Thus, even when a light source that emits randomly polarized light is used, a transmissive light modulation device can be employed.

[Third Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The projector of the first and second embodiments uses a laser light source that emits monochromatic light, whereas the projector of the present embodiment is different in that a light source that emits white light is used. The point that a DMD (reflection type light modulation device) is used for the light modulation device is the same as that of the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of the projector according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view of a rotating color wheel used in the projector. In these drawings, the same components as those in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the projector 31 of the present embodiment includes an illumination device 32, a DMD 3, a projection / objective lens 4 (projection / objective optical system), a CCD 33 (solid-state imaging device), and an imaging lens 6 ( Imaging optical system). In addition, illustration of a housing | casing is abbreviate | omitted in FIG. The illumination device 32 includes a white light source 34, a condenser lens 35, a rotating color wheel 36, an optical fiber 9, a rod integrator 10 (uniform illumination system), and a magnifying lens 11. The white light source 34 is a light source capable of emitting white light, such as an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp or a halogen lamp. White light emitted from the white light source 34 is condensed on the rotating color wheel 36 by the condenser lens 35.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the rotating color wheel 36 has a configuration in which a disk 38 having R, G, and B color filters 37 R, 37 G, and 37 B having substantially the same area is rotated about a rotating shaft 40 by a motor 39. ing. Therefore, in the projection mode, the white light emitted from the white light source 34 is temporally color-separated when passing through the rotating color wheel 36 through the condenser lens 35, and the R light, G light, B Light is emitted sequentially. As shown in FIG. 8, a light receiving portion 41 provided at one end of the optical fiber 9 is disposed on the emission side of the rotating color wheel 36. Each color light emitted from the rotating color wheel 36 is introduced into the optical fiber 9 from the light receiving unit 41 and is incident on the rod integrator 10. Each color light is converted into a rectangular shape at the same time as the illuminance is made uniform by the rod integrator 10, and then transmitted to the light incident surface of the DMD 3 by the magnifying lens 11.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the arrangement of optical components such as the rod integrator 10, the magnifying lens 11, the projection / objective lens 4, the imaging lens 6, and the CCD 33 with respect to the DMD 3 is substantially the same as in the first embodiment. However, in the case of this embodiment, the above-described rotating color wheel 36 is disposed between the imaging lens 6 and the CCD 33. As shown in FIG. 9, the white light source 34 and the CCD 33 are arranged at positions that do not interfere with each other. The rotating color wheel 36 is configured to rotate not only in the projection mode but also in the shooting mode. In the present embodiment, the CCD 33 does not include a color filter.

  In the projection mode, the rotating color wheel 36 rotates once in one frame period. Therefore, R, G, and B color lights are emitted from the illumination device 2 every 1/3 frame period. Here, the light reflected by the micromirror 16 in the ON state of the DMD 3 enters the projection / objective lens 4, and the light reflected by the micromirror 16 in the OFF state does not enter the projection / objective lens 4. That is, the DMD 3 generates an image corresponding to each color light in the 1/3 frame period by controlling the bright state and the dark state for each pixel according to the drive signal. The image on the DMD 3 is projected on the screen by the projection / objective lens 4.

  On the other hand, in the photographing mode, light from the subject is imaged on the DMD 3 by the projection / objective lens 4 and an image of the subject is generated on the DMD 3. In the photographing mode, all the micromirrors 16 of the DMD 3 are in the OFF state, and the light incident from the projection / objective lens 4 is imaged on the micromirror 16 in the OFF state of the DMD 3 so that the image of the subject is obtained. It is formed on the micromirror 16. Then, the CCD 33 captures an image of the subject on the DMD 3. At this time, in the present embodiment, the rotating color wheel 36 rotates once per frame period even in the photographing mode. Therefore, the CCD 33 takes an image of the subject on the DMD 3 as an image for each color of R, G, and B in a time division manner.

  In the projector 31 of the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments can be obtained, such that a projector having a small size, a light weight, and a high resolution imaging function can be realized. In the case of the color sequential method, the configuration as in the first and second embodiments including a plurality of laser light sources that emit light of different colors in a time division manner may be used, but as in the present embodiment, a white light source 34 is used. It is also possible to employ a configuration in which the rotating color wheel 36 is arranged on the emission side. In the case of the present embodiment, the rotating color wheel 36 is disposed on the light incident side of the CCD 33, and the light from the subject is captured in time division for each color. Therefore, the CCD 33 does not include a color filter, and the number of pixels is the first. Compared to the second embodiment, it can be reduced to 1/3. Further, since the rotating color wheel 36 is shared on the projection side and the imaging side, only one rotating color wheel is required, and the number of parts can be reduced and the apparatus can be downsized.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The basic configuration of the projector according to this embodiment is the same as that of the projector according to the first embodiment, except that the storage structure of the optical component in the housing is different.
FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of the projector according to the present embodiment. 10, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same component as FIG. 1 of 1st Embodiment, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the projector 51 of the present embodiment includes a power supply unit 53 that supplies power to the laser light source unit 8, and the power supply unit 53 including the AC adapter and the laser light source unit 8 include the first casing. 54. Further, the DMD 3, the DMD drive circuit 55, the projection / objective lens 4, the CCD 5, the imaging lens 6, and the like are housed in a second housing 56 that is separate from the first housing 54. The optical fiber 9 connects the laser light source unit 8 in the first housing 54 and the rod integrator 10 in the second housing 56.

  In general, light sources and power supply units generate heat, while light modulators, projection / objective optical systems, imaging devices, imaging optical systems, etc. require almost no drive energy, but rather are components that should not receive heat. is there. In that respect, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the laser light source unit 8 and the power source unit 53 are accommodated in the first housing 54 and optical components such as the DMD 3, the projection / objective lens 4, the CCD 5, and the imaging lens 6. Is housed in the second housing 56, the cooling efficiency of the components on the first housing 54 side is good, and adverse effects due to the heat of the components on the second housing 56 side can be eliminated. In addition, since the power supply unit 53 and the like that are particularly heavy are separated, the optical system side can be reduced in size and weight, so that the portability is further improved.

  As a different application mode, for example, the first casing and the second casing are connected by an arm incorporating an optical fiber, and the second casing side is installed on a desk or table, while the first casing is installed. It can also be set as the structure arrange | positioned in the air via an arm so that a projection and objective lens may face down. It is also possible to project an image on a desk and photograph a document on the desk using the projector having this configuration.

  The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the first embodiment, an example of a reflection type light modulation device is shown. In the second embodiment, a transmission type light modulation device is shown, but in addition, the light from the illumination device can be diffracted toward the projection / objective optical system, and It is also possible to use a diffractive light modulator that can diffract light from a subject incident via a projection / objective optical system toward an imaging device. Also in this configuration, since the projection mode and the imaging mode can be switched only by controlling the light diffraction direction by the diffractive light modulator, the device configuration is simplified. In addition to a laser light source and a lamp light source, a light emitting diode (LED) can be used as the light source. In addition, the specific configurations of the various optical components exemplified in the above embodiment can be appropriately changed.

It is a schematic block diagram of the projector of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action of each part in the projection mode of the projector. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action of each part in imaging | photography mode of the projector. It is a timing chart which shows the drive waveform of the laser light source of the projector. It is a schematic block diagram of the projector of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the transmissive | pervious light modulation apparatus of the projector. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the modification of the transmissive | pervious light modulation apparatus. It is a schematic block diagram of the projector of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the rotation color wheel of the projector. It is a schematic block diagram of the projector of 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  1, 2, 31, 51 ... projector, 2, 32, 52 ... illumination device, 3 ... DMD (reflection type light modulation device, reflection mirror array), 4 ... projection / objective lens (projection / objective optical system), 5, 33 ... CCD (imaging device, solid-state imaging device), 6 ... imaging lens (imaging optical system), 7 ... housing, 10 ... rod integrator (uniform illumination system), 12R, 12G, 12B ... laser light source, 14 ... Optical multiplexer (photosynthesis means), 18 ... screen (projection surface), 22, 26 ... transmissive light modulator, 23 ... liquid crystal light valve (polarization control element), 24 ... birefringent crystal (birefringent element), 34 ... White light source, 36 ... Rotating color wheel, 53 ... Power source, 54 ... First casing, 56 ... Second casing.

Claims (15)

An illumination device including a light source;
A light modulation device that modulates the light by deflecting light emitted from the illumination device to one of a first optical path and a second optical path;
The light that is disposed on the first optical path and is modulated by the light modulation device is projected onto a projection surface, and light from an external subject is captured to form an image of the subject on the light modulation device. A projection / objective optical system,
An imaging device that is disposed on the second optical path and captures an image of the subject on the light modulation device;
A projector having an imaging function, comprising: an imaging optical system that forms an image of the subject on the light modulation device on the imaging device.   The light modulation device is capable of reflecting light from the illumination device toward the projection / objective optical system, and directs light from the subject incident via the projection / objective optical system toward the imaging device. The projector with an imaging function according to claim 1, wherein the projector is a reflective light modulation device capable of reflecting.   The projector having an imaging function according to claim 2, wherein the reflection type light modulation device is a reflection mirror array in which a plurality of reflection mirrors are arranged in an array.   The object in which the light modulation device can control the diffraction direction of light, can diffract the light from the illumination device toward the projection / objective optical system, and is incident through the projection / objective optical system The projector with an imaging function according to claim 1, wherein the projector is a diffractive light modulation device capable of diffracting light from the projector toward the imaging device.   The light modulation device can control the direction of emission of transmitted light, can emit light from the illumination device toward the projection / objective optical system, and is incident through the projection / objective optical system. The projector with an imaging function according to claim 1, wherein the projector is a transmissive light modulation device capable of emitting light from the subject toward the imaging device.   A polarization control element capable of controlling a polarization state of transmitted light; and a birefringence element capable of changing an emission direction of transmitted light in accordance with a polarization state of light emitted from the polarization control element. The projector having an imaging function according to claim 5.   The projector having an imaging function according to claim 1, wherein the illumination device includes a solid light source.   The projector having an imaging function according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the illuminating device can emit light in different wavelength ranges sequentially in time.   The projector having an imaging function according to claim 8, further comprising: a rotating color wheel on a light emission side of the illumination device, wherein the rotating color wheel is located on a light incident side of the imaging device.   The projector having an imaging function according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device includes a color filter.   A power supply unit configured to supply power to the illumination device, wherein at least the light source and the power supply unit of the illumination device are housed in a first housing; and the light modulation device and the projection / objective optical system 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device and the imaging optical system are housed in a second housing separate from the first housing. A projector equipped with an imaging function.   12. The illumination device includes a uniform illumination system that uniformizes an illuminance distribution of light from the light source, and the light from the light source is introduced into the uniform illumination system via an optical fiber. A projector provided with the imaging function according to any one of the above.   The illumination device includes a plurality of light sources each capable of emitting light in different wavelength ranges, and includes a light combining unit that combines the light in different wavelength ranges between the plurality of light sources and the optical fiber. A projector having the imaging function according to claim 12.   The projector having an imaging function according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device includes a solid-state imaging device.   15. The projector having an imaging function according to claim 1, wherein the projection / objective optical system has a zoom function, a focusing function, and a variable aperture function.

Images