Projection-type display and control thereof

Abstract

A projection display device that includes a set of light source units (e.g., lasers or LEDs) and a control mechanism that monitors performance of each of the units, as well as external factors, e.g., time, ambient temperature, etc. is provided. The control mechanism may dynamically adjust each light source unit, for example, to maximize longevity. In operation, an optical modulator is configured to selectively transmit light produced by a subset of the light source units according to video data included in a video signal provided to the projection-type display device. A projection lens system is configured to project light transmitted by the optical modulator along a projection path. A sensor detects real time readings related to the performance of the set of light source units. In accordance with the readings, a control circuitry dynamically controls the laser set to dynamically vary the luminance of the set of light source units.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 using an output of a luminance sensor, detecting, by a device, a luminance of an image projected by the device onto a receiving surface external to the device, wherein the luminance sensor is positioned as a function of a difference between a field of view of the luminance sensor and an area of the receiving surface on which the image is projected;   monitoring at least one criterion associated with a light source, wherein the at least one criterion is evaluated relative to the luminance of the image on the receiving surface; and   selectively adjusting at least a portion of the light source based upon a comparison of the at least one criterion to at least one value.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the function minimizes the difference. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the luminance sensor is located on an exterior surface of the device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adjusting comprises toggling the portion of the light source on or off based upon the comparison of the at least one criterion to the at least one value. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detecting an ambient light in an environment external to the device,   wherein the at least one criterion is evaluated relative to the ambient light.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises a set of lasers. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises a set of light emitting diodes. 
     
     
         8 . A computer-readable storage device comprising computer-executable instructions that, in response to execution, cause a device to perform operations, comprising:
 via an output of a luminance sensor, detecting a luminance of an image projected by the device onto a receiving surface external to the device, wherein the luminance sensor is positioned as a function of a difference between a field of view of the luminance sensor and an area of the receiving surface on which the image is projected;   monitoring at least one criterion associated with a light source, wherein the monitoring the at least one criterion includes evaluating the luminance of the image projected on the receiving surface; and   selectively adjusting at least a portion of the light source based on a result of comparing the at least one criterion to at least one threshold.   
     
     
         9 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 8 , wherein the function minimizes the difference. 
     
     
         10 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 8 , wherein the luminance sensor is located on an exterior surface of the device. 
     
     
         11 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 8 , wherein the adjusting comprises toggling the portion of the light source on or off based on the result of comparing the at least one criterion to the at least one threshold. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 detecting an ambient light in an environment external to the device,   wherein the monitoring the at least one criterion further includes evaluating the ambient light.   
     
     
         13 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 8 , wherein the light source comprises a set of lasers. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 8 , wherein the light source comprises a set of light emitting diodes. 
     
     
         15 . A device, comprising:
 a luminance component configured to determine a luminance detected by a luminance sensor of an image projected by the device directed toward a receiving surface external to the device, wherein the luminance sensor is positioned as a function of a difference between a field of view of the luminance sensor and an area of the receiving surface toward which the image is projected;   a detection component configured to monitor at least one criterion associated with a light source, wherein the at least criterion includes the luminance of the image projected on the receiving surface; and   a controller component configured to selectively adjust at least a portion of the light source based upon a comparison of the at least one criterion to at least one threshold.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the function minimizes the difference. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the luminance sensor is located on an exterior surface of the device. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the portion of the light source is turned on or off based upon the comparison of the at least one criterion to the at least one threshold. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 an ambient light sensor configured to detect an ambient light in an environment external to the device,   wherein the at least one criterion further includes the ambient light.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the light source comprises at least one of a set of lasers or a set of light emitting diodes.