Patent Application
20240045314
This application claims the priority benefit of Chinese application no. 202210942417.4, filed on Aug. 8, 2022. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.
The invention relates to an optical assembly, a control method of the optical assembly and an optical device, and particularly relates to a projection lens, a control method of the projection lens and a projection device.
As projection technology gradually develops toward maturity, consumers' requirements on quality of projection images of a projection device are also increasing. Since a projection lens with a fixed aperture cannot meet consumers' application requirements on high brightness and high contrast of projection images, a projection lens with a variable aperture is required. However, if an aperture adjustment module is added, additional arrangement space and wiring are required, and elements of the projection lens are required to be redesigned and rearranged, which is thus not cost-effective.
The information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the described technology and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Further, the information disclosed in the Background section does not mean that one or more problems to be resolved by one or more embodiments of the invention was acknowledged by a person of ordinary skill in the art.
The invention is directed to a projection lens, a control method of a projection lens, and a projection device, where the projection lens is capable of controlling both an aperture adjustment module and a lens element adjustment module.
Other objectives and advantages of the invention may be further illustrated by the technical features broadly embodied and described as follows.
In order to achieve one, some, or all of the objectives above or other objectives, an embodiment of the invention provides a projection lens. The projection lens is adapted for a projection device, and the projection lens includes a lens body, an aperture adjustment module, a lens element adjustment module, and a switching assembly. The lens body includes an aperture assembly and a lens element group. The aperture adjustment module is disposed on the lens body and connected to the aperture assembly, and the aperture adjustment module is configured to adjust the aperture assembly. The lens element adjustment module is disposed on the lens body and connected to the lens element group, and the lens element adjustment module is configured to adjust the lens element group. The switching assembly is coupled to the aperture adjustment module and the lens element adjustment module. The switching assembly is configured to switch to a first state so that the lens element adjustment module adjusts the lens element group, and the switching assembly is configured to switch to a second state so that the aperture adjustment module group adjusts the aperture assembly.
In an embodiment of the invention, the lens element adjustment module is a zoom module or a focus module.
In an embodiment of the invention, the switching assembly includes a signal receiving unit, a control unit, and a switching unit. The signal receiving unit is configured to receive a control signal, the control unit is coupled to the signal receiving unit and the switching unit, and the control unit is configured to control the switching unit to switch to the first state or the second state according to the control signal.
In an embodiment of the invention, the projection lens further includes a processor coupled to the switching assembly, the lens element adjustment module, and the aperture adjustment module, and the processor is configured to control the lens element adjustment module and the aperture adjustment module according to the control signal.
In an embodiment of the invention, the lens body further includes an electrical connection interface, the electrical connection interface has an electrical contact, the electrical contact is coupled to the processor, the switching assembly is coupled to the processor through the electrical contact, and the lens element adjustment module is coupled to the processor through the switching assembly and the electrical contact. The aperture adjustment module is coupled to the processor through the switching assembly and the electrical contact.
In an embodiment of the invention, the control signal includes a state signal and an adjustment signal, the switching assembly is configured to switch to the first state or the second state according to the state signal, the switching assembly is further configured to transmit the adjustment signal to the processor, and the processor controls the lens element adjustment module to adjust the lens element group or controls the aperture adjustment module to adjust the aperture assembly according to the adjustment signal.
In an embodiment of the invention, the aperture adjustment module includes an actuating element and a linkage mechanism. The actuating element is disposed on the lens body and coupled to the switching assembly, and the linkage mechanism is disposed on the lens body and connected between the actuating element and the aperture assembly.
In an embodiment of the invention, the linkage mechanism includes a first gear, a rack, and a rod. The first gear is connected to the actuating element and meshes with the rack, and the rod is connected between the rack and the aperture assembly.
In an embodiment of the invention, the lens body has an optical axis, the rack is arc-shaped, and the rack extends on the lens body about the optical axis.
In an embodiment of the invention, the lens body further includes a first rail portion, the rack has a second rail portion, and the first rail portion and the second rail portion slide relative to each other.
In an embodiment of the invention, the rack has a tooth portion at one side and a connecting hole at another side, the tooth portion meshes with the first gear, and the rod is disposed through the connecting hole.
In an embodiment of the invention, the aperture adjustment module includes a sensing element and a second gear, the second gear is connected to the sensing element and meshes with the rack, and the sensing element is configured to sense a position of the aperture assembly.
In an embodiment of the invention, the projection lens further includes a display unit coupled to the switching assembly, and the display unit is configured to display whether the switching assembly is in the first state or in the second state.
In order to achieve one, some, or all of the objectives above or other objectives, an embodiment of the invention provides a control method of a projection lens, which includes following steps. A control signal is received by a switching assembly, where the control signal is a first control signal or a second control signal. The switching assembly is switched to a first state according to the first control signal so that a lens element adjustment module adjusts a lens element group of a lens body. The switching assembly is switched to a second state according to the second control signal so that an aperture adjustment module adjusts an aperture assembly of the lens body.
In an embodiment of the invention, the switching assembly includes a signal receiving unit, a control unit, and a switching unit. The control method further includes following steps. The first control signal or the second control signal is received by the signal receiving unit. The control unit controls the switching unit to switch to the first state according to the first control signal. The control unit controls the switching unit to switch to the second state according to the second control signal.
In an embodiment of the invention, the signal receiving unit receives the control signal by wireless transmission.
In an embodiment of the invention, the signal receiving unit receives the control signal from an Internet of things device.
In an embodiment of the invention, the projection lens further includes a processor, and the control method further includes following steps. The control signal is transmitted to the processor through the switching assembly. The processor controls the lens element adjustment module to adjust the lens element group or controls the aperture adjustment module to adjust the aperture assembly according to the control signal.
In an embodiment of the invention, the switching assembly receives the control signal from the processor.
In an embodiment of the invention, the aperture adjustment module includes a sensing element, and the control method further includes a following step. A position of the aperture assembly is sensed by the sensing element.
In an embodiment of the invention, the projection lens further includes a display unit, and the control method further includes a following step. Whether the switching assembly is in the first state or in the second state is displayed by the display unit.
In order to achieve one, some, or all of the objects above or other objectives, an embodiment of the invention provides a projection device including a light source, a light valve and a projection lens. The light source is configured to provide an illumination beam. The light valve is configured to convert the illumination beam into an image beam. The projection lens is configured to project the image beam out of the projection device, and the projection lens includes a lens body, an aperture adjustment module, a lens element adjustment module and a switching assembly. The lens body includes an aperture assembly and a lens element group. The aperture adjustment module is disposed on the lens body and connected to the aperture assembly, and the aperture adjustment module is configured to adjust the aperture assembly. The lens element adjustment module is disposed on the lens body and connected to the lens element group, and the lens element adjustment module is configured to adjust the lens element group. The switching assembly is coupled to the aperture adjustment module and the lens element adjustment module. The switching assembly is configured to switch to a first state so that the lens element adjustment module adjusts the lens element group, and the switching assembly is configured to switch to a second state so that the aperture adjustment module group adjusts the aperture assembly. In an embodiment of the invention, the lens element adjustment module is a zoom module or a focus module.
In an embodiment of the invention, the switching assembly includes a signal receiving unit, a control unit, and a switching unit. The signal receiving unit is configured to receive a control signal, the control unit is coupled to the signal receiving unit and the switching unit, and the control unit is configured to control the switching unit to switch to the first state or the second state according to the control signal.
In an embodiment of the invention, the projection lens further includes a processor coupled to the switching assembly, the lens element adjustment module, and the aperture adjustment module, and the processor is configured to control the lens element adjustment module and the aperture adjustment module according to the control signal.
In an embodiment of the invention, the lens body further includes an electrical connection interface, the electrical connection interface has an electrical contact, the electrical contact is coupled to the switching assembly, the switching assembly is coupled to the processor through the electrical contact, the lens element adjustment module is coupled to the processor through the switching assembly and the electrical contact, and the aperture adjustment module is coupled to the processor through the switching assembly and the electrical contact.
Based on the above description, the embodiments of the invention have at least one of following advantages or effects. The projection lens of the embodiment of the invention is provided with a switching assembly, and the switching assembly may be used to switch between the lens element adjustment module and the aperture adjustment module. Accordingly, the lens element adjustment module and the aperture adjustment module may share the electrical contacts of the electrical connection interface of the lens body, so that the projection lens may control both of the aperture adjustment module and the lens element adjustment module through the existing electrical connection interface.
Other objectives, features and advantages of the invention will be further understood from the further technological features disclosed by the embodiments of the invention wherein there are shown and described preferred embodiments of this invention, simply by way of illustration of modes best suited to carry out the invention.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top, ” “bottom, ” “front, ” “back, ” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. The components of the invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations. As such, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. On the other hand, the drawings are only schematic and the sizes of components may be exaggerated for clarity. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. Similarly, the terms “facing,” “faces” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect facing, and “adjacent to” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass directly and indirectly “adjacent to”. Therefore, the description of “A” component facing “B” component herein may contain the situations that “A” component directly faces “B” component or one or more additional components are between “A” component and “B” component. Also, the description of “A” component “adjacent to” “B” component herein may contain the situations that “A” component is directly “adjacent to” “B” component or one or more additional components are between “A” component and “B” component. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
For example, the light source 12 includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), laser diodes or light bulb, etc., and may be matched with other optical elements such as wavelength conversion element, light-uniforming element, filter element or multiple light splitting and combining elements, etc., according to different light sources, which is used to provide light beams with different wavelengths (colors) as a source of the illumination beam L1. The light valve 14 is, for example, a digital micro-minor device (DMD), a liquid-crystal-on-silicon panel (LCOS panel) or a spatial light modulator such as a liquid crystal panel (LCD). However, the invention does not limit the type or shape of the light source 12 and the light valve 14 in the projection device 10, and the detailed structure and implementation thereof may be designed by the manufacturer, which are not repeated.
As shown in
As described above, the projection lens 100 of the embodiment is provided with the switching assembly 140, and the switching assembly 140 may be used to switch between the lens element adjustment module 130 and the aperture adjustment module 120. Accordingly, the lens element adjustment module 130 and the aperture adjustment module 120 may share the electrical contacts of the electrical connection interface 116 of the lens body 110 so that the projection lens 100 may control both of the aperture adjustment module 120 and the lens element adjustment module 130 through the existing electrical connection interface 116.
The following describes a control method of a projection lens according to an embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings.
To be specific, in the embodiment, as shown in
On the other hand, the projection lens 100 further includes a processor 118. The processor 118 is coupled to the electrical connection interface 116, and the processor 118 is coupled to the switching unit 146, the lens element adjustment module 130 and the aperture adjustment module 120 through the plurality of electrical contacts of the electrical connection interface 116. The processor 118 is used for controlling the lens element adjustment module 130 according to the first control signal in the above step S602, or controlling the aperture adjustment module 120 according to the second control signal in the above step S603. The processor 118 may include, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) with an image data processing function, or other programmable general-purpose or special-purpose microprocessors, an image processing units (IPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), other similar operation circuits, or a combination of these circuits. In the embodiment, the processor 118 is disposed in the casing of the projection device 10. In an embodiment, the processor 118 and the processor of the projection device 10 may be the same device, and the switching assembly 140 is coupled to the processor of the projection device 10 through the electrical connection interface 116.
To be specific, the aforementioned control signal CS includes a state signal and an adjustment signal. The state signal includes state information of the projection lens 100, such as the first state or the second state. The adjustment signal includes adjustment information of the projection lens 100, such as movement information of a plurality of lens elements of the lens element group 114 in case of zooming and/or focusing adjustment, or size information of an aperture of the aperture assembly 112 when adjusting a depth of field. The switching unit 146 is used for switching to the first state or the second state according to the state signal in the control signal CS. The switching unit 146 is further configured to transmit the adjustment signal in the control signal CS to the electrical connection interface 116, and transmit the adjustment signal to the processor 118 through the electrical connection interface 116. The processor 118 controls the lens element adjustment module 130 to adjust the lens element group 114 or controls the aperture adjustment module 120 to adjust the aperture assembly 112 according to the adjustment signal.
The specific method that the switching assembly 140 receives the control signal CS is further described below.
A specific composition of the aperture adjustment module 120 of the aforementioned embodiment is described below.
Moreover, referring to
On the other hand, the lens element adjustment module 130 is, for example, disposed in a casing portion 111 of the lens body 110, and includes, for example, a focus motor/zoom motor and a corresponding linkage mechanism. In order to make the drawings more concise, the above-mentioned components of the lens element adjustment module 130 are not specifically shown in the drawing, which are known technologies in the art, and details thereof are not repeated here. In the embodiment, the lens element group 114 includes, for example, a combination of one or a plurality of optical lens elements with diopter, for example, various combinations of non-planar lens elements such as a biconcave lens element, a biconvex lens element, a concavo-convex lens element, a convexo-concave lens element, a plano-convex lens element, a plano-concave lens element, etc. In an embodiment, the lens element group 114 may also include planar optical lens elements. The embodiment does not limit the pattern and type of the lens element group 114.
In the aforementioned embodiment, the switching assembly 140 is connected to the electrical contacts of the electrical connection interface 116 by, for example, a wire, and the switching assembly 140 is connected to the aperture adjustment module 120 and the lens element adjustment module 130 by, for example, a wire. For clarity of the drawings, these wires are not shown in the drawings.
The electrical contacts of the electrical connection interface 116 of the aforementioned embodiments are described in detail below. Referring to
As described above, the aperture adjustment module 120 and the zoom module (one of the lens element adjustment module 130) share the electrical contacts 116b, 116f, and 116g (corresponding to the transmission paths P5, P6, P7 in
Detailed control steps of the aforementioned embodiments are introduced below with reference of drawings.
The user may also input the adjustment instruction (corresponding to the aforementioned control signal CS) to the processor 118 through the remote controller 50′, a network of the external device 60, or an on-screen display interface 70 (step S703). In an embodiment, the processor 118 may convert an adjustment instruction signal input by the user into the control signal CS. The processor 118 transmits the control signal CS to the control unit 144 via transmission interfaces such as the universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter, the inter-integrated circuit, the serial peripheral interface, the universal serial bus, etc., included in the signal receiving unit 142′ (step S704), where steps S703 and S704 correspond to the embodiment shown in
In addition, the user may also input an adjustment instruction (corresponding to the aforementioned control signal CS) to the IoT device 80 through the cloud 90 (step S705), and the IoT device 80 transmits the control signal CS to the control unit 144 via transmission interfaces such as the universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter, the inter-integrated circuit, the serial peripheral interface, the universal serial bus, etc., included in the signal receiving unit 142′ (step S706), where steps S705 and S706 correspond to the embodiment shown in
After the aforementioned step S702, step S704 or step S706, the control unit 144 stores the adjustment instruction (step S707). Then, the control unit 144 controls the switching unit 146 to switch to the aperture mode or the focus/zoom mode according to the adjustment instruction (step S708). The adjustment instruction includes, for example, driving and stopping the aperture adjustment module 120 and the lens element adjustment module 130.
Referring to
In addition, as shown in
In summary, the embodiments of the invention have at least one of following advantages or effects. The projection lens of the embodiment of the invention is provided with a switching assembly, and the switching assembly may be used to switch between the lens element adjustment module and the aperture adjustment module. Accordingly, the lens element adjustment module and the aperture adjustment module may share the electrical contacts of the electrical connection interface of the lens body, so that the projection lens may control both of the aperture adjustment module and the lens element adjustment module through the existing electrical connection interface.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form or to exemplary embodiments disclosed. Accordingly, the foregoing description should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art. The embodiments are chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its best mode practical application, thereby to enable persons skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use or implementation contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents in which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Therefore, the term “the invention”, “the invention” or the like does not necessarily limit the claim scope to a specific embodiment, and the reference to particularly preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention does not imply a limitation on the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Moreover, these claims may refer to use “first”, “second”, etc. following with noun or element. Such terms should be understood as a nomenclature and should not be construed as giving the limitation on the number of the elements modified by such nomenclature unless specific number has been given. The abstract of the disclosure is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure of any patent issued from this disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Any advantages and benefits described may not apply to all embodiments of the invention. It should be appreciated that variations may be made in the embodiments described by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. Moreover, no element and component in the disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element or component is explicitly recited in the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 202210942417.4 | Aug 2022 | CN | national |
