# US 9,039,200 B2 · Projector and control method for projector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,039,200 B2 - Document ID: US9039200B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/596,543 - Filed: 2012-08-28 - Published: 2013-02-28 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2011-08-30 - Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation - Applicants: Tatsuhiko Nobori; Toru Katahira; Katsuhiro Matsuyama; Haruyoshi Yamada - Inventors: Tatsuhiko Nobori; Toru Katahira; Katsuhiro Matsuyama; Haruyoshi Yamada - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039200B2 ## CPC - 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)} - G03B 21/16: Cooling; Preventing overheating - G03B 21/2053: {Intensity control of illuminating light (controlled by video signal processing H04N5/74 or H04N9/31)} - H04N 9/3194: {including sensor feedback} - H04N 9/3197: {using light modulating optical valves} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## Abstract A projector which modulates light emitted from a light source and projects the light, the projector including: an image acquiring unit for acquiring an image from an image source; a modulating unit for modulating the light emitted from the light sources, based on the image acquired by the image acquiring unit; a light adjustment mechanism for reducing an amount of light incident on the modulating unit from the light source; and a light adjustment control unit for performing light adjustment control by the light adjustment mechanism, based on the image acquired by the image acquiring unit; wherein the light adjustment control unit stops execution of the light adjustment control when at least one of an operating state of the projector and a state of the image acquired by the image acquiring unit meets a predetermined condition. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A projector which modulates light emitted from a light source and projects the light, the projector comprising: an image acquiring unit for acquiring an image from an image source; a modulating unit for modulating the light emitted from the light sources, based on the image acquired by the image acquiring unit; a light adjustment mechanism for reducing an amount of light incident on the modulating unit from the light source; and a light adjustment control unit for performing light adjustment control by the light adjustment mechanism, based on the image acquired by the image acquiring unit; wherein the light adjustment control unit stops execution of the light adjustment control when at least one of an operating state of the projector and a state of the image acquired by the image acquiring unit meets a predetermined condition, and the light adjustment control unit performs control to lower a light reduction level by the light adjustment mechanism when the light adjustment mechanism maintains a predetermined light-adjusted state. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The projector according to claim 1, wherein the light adjustment control unit opens the light adjustment mechanism so as not to reduce the amount of light emitted from the light source, when at least one of the operating state of the projector and the state of the image acquired by the image acquiring unit meets a predetermined condition. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The projector according to claim 1, wherein the light adjustment control unit performs control to lower a light reduction level by the light adjustment mechanism when the light adjustment mechanism maintains a predetermined light-adjusted state for a predetermined time period. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The projector according to claim 1, wherein the image acquiring unit acquires an image inputted from an external device, and the light adjustment control unit stops the execution of the light adjustment control when input of an image from the external device is stopped. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The projector according to claim 1, further comprising a shutter mechanism for shutting off the light emitted from the light source, wherein the light adjustment control unit stops the execution of the light adjustment control when the light is shut off by the shutter mechanism. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The projector according to claim 1, wherein the light adjustment mechanism stops the execution of the light adjustment control when the amount of light is reduced to a predetermined amount of light or less by the modulating unit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The projector according to claim 1, wherein the light adjustment control unit changes a light reduction state by the light adjustment mechanism at least in plural stages in the light adjustment control. ### Claim 8 A control method for a projector which includes a light source, a modulating unit that modulates light emitted from the light source, and a light adjustment mechanism that reduces an amount of light incident on the modulating unit from the light source, and which reduces the light emitted from the light source by the light adjustment mechanism and projects the light, the method comprising: acquiring an image from an image source; modulating the light emitted from the light source, based on the acquired image; performing light adjustment control by the light adjustment mechanism based on the acquired image; stopping execution of the light adjustment control when at least one of an operating state of the projector and a state of the acquired image meets a predetermined condition; and performing control to lower a light reduction level by the light adjustment mechanism when the light adjustment mechanism maintains a predetermined light-adjusted state. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the light adjustment mechanism is opened so as not to reduce the amount of light emitted from the light source, when at least one of the operating state of the projector and the state of the acquired image meets a predetermined condition. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the light reduction level is controlled to be lowered by the light adjustment mechanism when the light adjustment mechanism maintains a predetermined light-adjusted state for a predetermined time period. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the acquired image is inputted from an external device, and the execution of the light adjustment control is stopped when input of an image from the external device is stopped. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, the projector further including a shutter mechanism for shutting off the light emitted from the light source, wherein the execution of the light adjustment control is sopped when the light is shut off by the shutter mechanism. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the execution of the light adjustment control is sopped when the amount of light is reduced to a predetermined amount of light or less by the modulating unit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, further comprising changing a light reduction state by the light adjustment mechanism at least in plural stages in the light adjustment control. ### Claim 15 A projector which modulates light emitted from a light source and projects the light, the projector comprising: an image acquiring unit for acquiring an image from an image source; a modulating unit for modulating the light emitted from the light sources, based on the image acquired by the image acquiring unit; a light adjustment mechanism for reducing an amount of light incident on the modulating unit from the light source; and a light adjustment control unit for performing light adjustment control by the light adjustment mechanism, based on the image acquired by the image acquiring unit; wherein the light adjustment control unit stops execution of the light adjustment control when at least one of an operating state of the projector and a state of the image acquired by the image acquiring unit meets a predetermined condition, the image acquiring unit acquires an image inputted from an external device, and the light adjustment control unit stops the execution of the light adjustment control when input of an image from the external device is stopped. ### Claim 16 A projector which modulates light emitted from a light source and projects the light, the projector comprising: an image acquiring unit for acquiring an image from an image source; a modulating unit for modulating the light emitted from the light sources, based on the image acquired by the image acquiring unit; a light adjustment mechanism for reducing an amount of light incident on the modulating unit from the light source; a light adjustment control unit for performing light adjustment control by the light adjustment mechanism, based on the image acquired by the image acquiring unit; and a shutter mechanism for shutting off the light emitted from the light source; wherein the light adjustment control unit stops execution of the light adjustment control when at least one of an operating state of the projector and a state of the image acquired by the image acquiring unit meets a predetermined condition, and the light adjustment control unit stops the execution of the light adjustment control when the light is shut off by the shutter mechanism.