Projector and the protector thereof

• US 6,460,999 B1
• Filed: 09/01/2000
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Suzuki, Toshio
• Primary Examiner(s): Mathews, Alan A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KOVAL, MELISSA J
• Application Number:
  US09/653,054
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 353/101, 353/44, 353/50, 353/66, 353/77, 353/79, 353/81, 353/98, 353/122
• US Class Current: 353/79
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/54 with projector
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/14 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/2086 Security or safety means in lamp houses
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3105 for displaying all colours simultaneously, e.g. by using two or more electronic spatial light modulators simultaneous projection in colour photography G03B33/10; beam splitting or combining systems per se G02B27/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3155 for controlling the light source light source control per se H05B35/00 – H05B47/00; control of an illumination source for displays in general G09G3/3406
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3194 including sensor feedback

Abstract

Disclosed are a projector and the protector thereof having superior safety and practicality. The projector for projecting an image on a screen comprises sensors for performing detection in an area to be subjected to detection that is a local space. The local space is located on the outside of a projection space area which projecting light passes through, and extends along an outer edge of the projection space area. When the sensors detect an object in the area to be subjected to detection, a general controller of the projector turns off a power source of a lamp unit that is a light emitting source, and thus the general controller causes the projector to stop projecting. This prevents damage to the eyes of a person who carelessly looks into a projection lens.

Claims

1. A projector for displaying a number of images on a screen, said projector comprising:

projecting means for projecting light therefrom so as to cause an image to be displayed on the screen located at a remote position;

detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an object in an area to be subjected to detection, which is a local space near an outer edge of a projection space area wherein projecting light emitted from the projecting means passes through and which does not extend to a plane defined by the screen; and

controlling means for controlling the projecting means so as to reduce the intensity of the projecting light from the projecting means when the detecting means detects an object in the area to be subjected to detection.

2. A projector according to claim 1, wherein the area to be subjected to detection is located on the outside of the projection space area and extends along the outer edge of the projection space area.

3. A projector according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means comprises a light emitting device for emitting light in a direction substantially parallel to the outer edge of the projection space area, and a photodetector for detecting the light reflected by the object that is a subject of detection.

4. A projector according to claim 3, wherein the light emitting device of the detecting means emits invisible light.

5. A projector for displaying a number of images on a screen, said projector comprising:

projecting means for projecting light therefrom so as to cause an image to be displayed on the screen located at a remote position;

detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an object in an area to be subjected to detection, which is a local space near an outer edge of a projection space area which projecting light emitted from the projecting means passes through; and

controlling means for controlling the projecting means so as to reduce the intensity of the projecting light from the projecting means when the detecting means detects an object in the area to be subjected to detection,

wherein a maximum perpendicular distance of a maximum detection distance, which is a perpendicular distance between the projecting means and a plane parallel to the screen which includes the farthest end of the area to be subjected to detection away from the detecting means, is shorter than a perpendicular distance between the projecting means and the screen.

6. A projector according to claim 5, wherein the maximum detection distance is equal to or longer than a distance at which intensity of the projecting light emitted from the projecting means attenuates to safety intensity that does not do damage to the eyes of a person.

7. A projector according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of maximum detection distances can be set.

8. A projector according to claim 7, wherein one of the plurality of maximum detection distances is selected in accordance with the intensity of the projecting light emitted from the projecting means.

9. A protector for use in a projector for projecting an image on a screen located at a remote position, comprising:

detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an object in an area to be subjected to detection, which is a local space near an outer edge of a projection space area which projecting light emitted from the projector passes through; and

controlling means for controlling the projector so as to reduce the intensity of the projecting light from the projector when the detecting means detects an object in the area to be subjected to detection,

wherein a maximum perpendicular distance of a maximum detection distance, which is a perpendicular distance between the projector and a plane parallel to the screen which includes the farthest end of the area to be subjected to detection away from the detecting means, is shorter than a perpendicular distance between the projector and the screen.

10. A protector of the projector according to claim 9, wherein the maximum detection distance is equal to or longer than a distance at which intensity of the projecting light emitted from the projector attenuates to safety intensity that does not damage the eyes of a person.

11. A protector for use in a projector for projecting an image on a screen located at a remote position, comprising:

detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of an object in an area to be subjected to detection, which is a local space near an outer edge of a projection space area wherein projecting light emitted from the projector passes through and which does not extend to a plane defined by the screen; and

controlling means for controlling the projector so as to reduce the intensity of the projecting light from the projector when the detecting means detects an object in the area to be subjected to detection.

12. A protector of the projector according to claim 11, wherein the area to be subjected to detection is located on the outside of the projection space area and extends along the outer edge of the projection space area.

13. A protector of the projector according to claim 11, wherein a plurality of maximum detection distances can be set.

14. A protector of the projector according to claim 13, wherein one of the plurality of maximum detection distances is selected in accordance with the intensity of the projecting light emitted from the projector.