阅读说明：本技术 投影机及投影方法 (Projector and projection method ) 是由 郑才旭 卓之威 于 2020-03-31 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明一种投影机及投影方法,其中投影机包含影像转换模组、处理模组以及成像模组。影像转换模组接收具有第一帧率的原始影像序列。影像转换模组每秒于原始影像序列插入多张增补影像,以输出具有第二帧率的增补影像序列,其中第二帧率大于第一帧率。处理模组耦接于影像转换模组。处理模组自影像转换模组接收增补影像序列。处理模组忽略多张增补影像,且处理并输出原始影像序列。成像模组耦接于处理模组。成像模组自处理模组接收原始影像序列,且以第一帧率输出原始影像序列。(The invention relates to a projector and a projection method, wherein the projector comprises an image conversion module, a processing module and an imaging module. The image conversion module receives an original image sequence with a first frame rate. The image conversion module inserts a plurality of supplementary images into the original image sequence every second to output a supplementary image sequence with a second frame rate, wherein the second frame rate is greater than the first frame rate. The processing module is coupled to the image conversion module. The processing module receives the supplemental image sequence from the image conversion module. The processing module ignores the plurality of supplementary images, and processes and outputs the original image sequence. The imaging module is coupled to the processing module. The imaging module receives the original image sequence from the processing module and outputs the original image sequence at a first frame rate.)

1. A projector, comprising:

an image conversion module for receiving an original image sequence having a first frame rate, the image conversion module inserting a plurality of supplemental images into the original image sequence per second to output a supplemental image sequence having a second frame rate, the second frame rate being greater than the first frame rate;

a processing module coupled to the image conversion module, the processing module receiving the supplemental image sequence from the image conversion module, the processing module ignoring the plurality of supplemental images and processing and outputting the original image sequence; and

the imaging module is coupled to the processing module, receives the original image sequence from the processing module, and outputs the original image sequence at the first frame rate.

2. The projector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the synchronization signal of the original image sequence has a first polarity, the image conversion module sets the synchronization signal of the supplemental images to a second polarity different from the first polarity, the supplemental images include at least one predetermined image, each of the predetermined images has a predetermined pattern, an output sequence of each of the supplemental images in the supplemental image sequence corresponds to a weight, the processing module identifies the at least one predetermined image from the supplemental image sequence according to the second polarity and the predetermined pattern and obtains a number of the supplemental images according to the weight of the at least one predetermined image, and the processing module sets the output frame rate of the imaging module to the first frame rate according to the second frame rate and the number of the supplemental images.

3. The projector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the synchronization signal of the original image sequence has a first polarity, the image conversion module sets the synchronization signal of the plurality of supplemental images to a second polarity, the second polarity is different from the first polarity, the processing module identifies the plurality of supplemental images from the supplemental image sequence according to the second polarity to obtain the number of the plurality of supplemental images, and the processing module sets the output frame rate of the imaging module to the first frame rate according to the second frame rate and the number of the plurality of supplemental images.

4. The projector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image conversion module notifies the processing module of the first frame rate of the original image sequence after receiving the original image sequence, and the processing module sets the output frame rate of the imaging module to the first frame rate.

5. The projector as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a light conversion module disposed opposite to the imaging module, wherein the light conversion module comprises a plurality of light conversion groups, and each of the light conversion groups comprises a plurality of light conversion regions.

6. A projection method, comprising the steps of:

receiving an original image sequence with a first frame rate by an image conversion module;

inserting a plurality of supplemental images into the original image sequence by the image conversion module per second to output a supplemental image sequence with a second frame rate, wherein the second frame rate is greater than the first frame rate;

receiving the supplemental image sequence from the image conversion module by the processing module;

the processing module ignores the supplementary images, and processes and outputs the original image sequence;

receiving the original image sequence from the processing module by the imaging module; and

the imaging module outputs the original image sequence at the first frame rate.

7. The projection method of claim 6, wherein the synchronization signal of the original image sequence has a first polarity, the image conversion module sets the synchronization signal of the plurality of supplemental images to a second polarity, the second polarity being different from the first polarity, the plurality of supplemental images including at least one predetermined image, each of the predetermined images having a predetermined pattern, the output order of each of the supplemental images in the supplemental image sequence corresponding to a weight, the projection method further comprising the steps of:

identifying the at least one predetermined image from the supplemental image sequence by the processing module according to the second polarity and the predetermined pattern;

obtaining the number of the plurality of supplementary images by the processing module according to the weight of the at least one predetermined image; and

the processing module sets the output frame rate of the imaging module to the first frame rate according to the second frame rate and the number of the supplementary images.

8. The projection method of claim 6, wherein the synchronization signal of the original image sequence has a first polarity, the image conversion module sets the synchronization signals of the plurality of supplemental images to a second polarity, the second polarity being different from the first polarity, the projection method further comprising the steps of:

identifying the plurality of supplementary images from the supplementary image sequence by the processing module according to the second polarity to obtain the number of the plurality of supplementary images; and

the processing module sets the output frame rate of the imaging module to the first frame rate according to the second frame rate and the number of the supplementary images.

9. The projection method of claim 6, comprising the steps of:

the image conversion module receives the original image sequence and then informs the processing module of the first frame rate of the original image sequence; and

the processing module sets the output frame rate of the imaging module to the first frame rate.

10. The projection method of claim 6, comprising the steps of:

the image is output to the imaging module by the light conversion module, wherein the light conversion module is arranged corresponding to the imaging module and comprises a plurality of light conversion groups, and each light conversion group comprises a plurality of light conversion areas.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a projector and a projection method, and more particularly, to a projector and a projection method suitable for high resolution and high frame rate.

Background

Conventionally, projectors are mainly classified into Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) projectors and Digital Light Processing (DLP) projectors. DLP projectors are increasingly used because of their high contrast, small size, and sharp images. With the increasing requirements of users on image quality, the resolution and image frame rate of DLP projectors are also increasing. At present, due to the limitation of hardware architecture, the DLP projector with high resolution (e.g. 4K) can not support the frame rate higher than 120Hz, so that the application of the DLP projector with high resolution is limited.

Disclosure of Invention

An objective of the present invention is to provide a projector and a projection method suitable for high resolution and high image frame rate, so as to solve the above problems.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a projector includes an image conversion module, a processing module and an imaging module. The image conversion module receives an original image sequence with a first frame rate. The image conversion module inserts a plurality of supplementary images into the original image sequence every second to output a supplementary image sequence with a second frame rate, wherein the second frame rate is greater than the first frame rate. The processing module is coupled to the image conversion module. The processing module receives the supplemental image sequence from the image conversion module. The processing module ignores the plurality of supplementary images, and processes and outputs the original image sequence. The imaging module is coupled to the processing module. The imaging module receives the original image sequence from the processing module and outputs the original image sequence at a first frame rate.

In another embodiment, the synchronization signal of the original image sequence has a first polarity, the image conversion module sets the synchronization signal of the plurality of supplemental images to a second polarity different from the first polarity, the plurality of supplemental images includes at least one predetermined image, each predetermined image has a predetermined pattern, an output sequence of each supplemental image in the supplemental image sequence corresponds to a weight, the processing module identifies the at least one predetermined image from the supplemental image sequence according to the second polarity and the predetermined pattern, and obtains the number of the plurality of supplemental images according to the weight of the at least one predetermined image, and the processing module sets the output frame rate of the imaging module to the first frame rate according to the second frame rate and the number of the plurality of supplemental images.

In another embodiment, the synchronization signal of the original image sequence has a first polarity, the image conversion module sets the synchronization signal of the plurality of supplemental images to a second polarity, the second polarity is different from the first polarity, the processing module identifies the plurality of supplemental images from the supplemental image sequence according to the second polarity to obtain the number of the plurality of supplemental images, and the processing module sets the output frame rate of the imaging module to the first frame rate according to the second frame rate and the number of the plurality of supplemental images.

In another embodiment, the image conversion module notifies the processing module of the first frame rate of the original image sequence after receiving the original image sequence, and the processing module sets the output frame rate of the imaging module to the first frame rate.

In another embodiment, the imaging module further comprises a light conversion module disposed opposite to the imaging module, wherein the light conversion module comprises a plurality of light conversion groups, and each light conversion group comprises a plurality of light conversion regions.

According to another embodiment, the projection method of the present invention comprises the steps of: receiving an original image sequence with a first frame rate by an image conversion module; inserting a plurality of supplementary images into the original image sequence by the image conversion module every second to output a supplementary image sequence with a second frame rate, wherein the second frame rate is greater than the first frame rate; receiving the supplemental image sequence from the image conversion module by the processing module; the processing module ignores a plurality of supplementary images, and processes and outputs the original image sequence; receiving the original image sequence from the processing module by the imaging module; and outputting the original image sequence by the imaging module at the first frame rate.

In another embodiment, the synchronization signal of the original image sequence has a first polarity, the image conversion module sets the synchronization signal of the plurality of supplemental images to a second polarity, the second polarity is different from the first polarity, the plurality of supplemental images include at least one predetermined image, each predetermined image has a predetermined pattern, the output sequence of each supplemental image in the supplemental image sequence corresponds to a weight, the projection method further includes the following steps: identifying the at least one predetermined image from the supplemental image sequence by the processing module according to the second polarity and the predetermined pattern; obtaining the number of the plurality of supplementary images by the processing module according to the weight of the at least one predetermined image; and setting the output frame rate of the imaging module to the first frame rate by the processing module according to the second frame rate and the number of the supplementary images.

In another embodiment, the synchronization signal of the original image sequence has a first polarity, the image conversion module sets the synchronization signals of the plurality of supplemental images to a second polarity, the second polarity being different from the first polarity, the projection method further includes the following steps: identifying the plurality of supplementary images from the supplementary image sequence by the processing module according to the second polarity to obtain the number of the plurality of supplementary images; and setting the output frame rate of the imaging module to the first frame rate by the processing module according to the second frame rate and the number of the supplementary images.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises the following steps: the image conversion module receives the original image sequence and then informs the processing module of the first frame rate of the original image sequence; and setting the output frame rate of the imaging module to the first frame rate by the processing module.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises the following steps: the image is output to the imaging module by the light conversion module, wherein the light conversion module is arranged corresponding to the imaging module and comprises a plurality of light conversion groups, and each light conversion group comprises a plurality of light conversion areas.

In summary, when the processing module cannot support the original image sequence with the first frame rate, the image conversion module first uses the supplemental image to up-convert the original image sequence with the first frame rate into the supplemental image sequence with the second frame rate that can be supported by the processing module. After receiving the supplemental image sequence, the processing module ignores the supplemental image (i.e., does not process and output the supplemental image) and only processes and outputs the original image sequence. Therefore, the imaging module can output the original image sequence at the first frame rate. Because the input frame rate and the output frame rate of the original image sequence are kept unchanged (i.e., the input frame rate and the output frame rate of the original image sequence are both the first frame rate), the present invention can effectively improve the smoothness of the image when the original image sequence is output. In addition, the light conversion module (e.g., a color wheel or a fluorescent wheel) of the projector is driven by a motor to rotate. The invention can further arrange a plurality of light conversion groups on the light conversion module, so that the light conversion module can complete the output of a plurality of images by rotating one circle. Therefore, when the first frame rate of the original image sequence is too high, the invention can utilize the light conversion module with a plurality of light conversion groups to reduce the rotating speed of the motor, so as to avoid the annoying high noise caused by too high rotating speed of the motor.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram of a projector according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagram of a single original image and a single supplemental image in an original image sequence.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a light conversion module according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of an image output by the optical conversion module in fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram of a projector according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a light conversion module according to another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of an image output by the optical conversion module in fig. 6.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a projection method according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

In order to further understand the objects, structures, features and functions of the present invention, the following embodiments are described in detail.

Referring to fig. 1, fig. 1 is a functional block diagram of a projector 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in fig. 1, the projector 1 includes an image conversion module 10, a processing module 12, an imaging module 14, a light conversion module 16, a motor 18, an actuator 20, a light source 22, and a lens module 24. Generally, the projector 1 is further provided with software and hardware components necessary for operation, such as input/output ports, application programs, circuit boards, power supplies, communication modules, etc., depending on the actual application.

In this embodiment, the image conversion module 10 may be an image converter (scaler). The processing module 12 is coupled to the image conversion module 10. In this embodiment, the processing module 12 may include a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) 120 and two Digital Light Processing (DLP) chips 122a, 122 b. The imaging module 14 is coupled to the processing module 12. In this embodiment, the imaging module 14 may be a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD). The light conversion module 16 is disposed opposite to the imaging module 14, and the light source 22 is disposed opposite to the light conversion module 16. In this embodiment, the light source 22 may be a mercury lamp or other light emitting device, and the light conversion module 16 may be a color wheel. In this embodiment, the light conversion module 16 may include three light conversion regions R, G, B, but not limited thereto. The composition of the light conversion region of the light conversion module 16 can be determined according to the actual application. In practical applications, the light conversion region R, G, B can be a red, green, and blue filter. The motor 18 is coupled to the light conversion module 16 and is used for driving the light conversion module 16 to rotate. The actuator 20 is coupled to the imaging module 14 and is used for driving the imaging module 14 to move. The lens module 24 is disposed opposite to the imaging module 14 and is used for projecting and imaging the light from the imaging module 14. It should be noted that the imaging principle of the projector 1 is well known in the prior art and will not be described herein.

In this embodiment, the projector 1 is a DLP projector with high resolution (e.g., 4K). The image conversion module 10 is used to receive the external input image and transmit the image to the FPGA 120. Next, the FPGA 120 divides each image into a plurality of sub-images (e.g., two or four sub-images), and divides each sub-image into a half left image and a half right image. Then, the FPGA 120 transmits the half left image and the half right image to two DSPs 122a, 122b, respectively. The two DPEs 122a and 122b process the half left image and the half right image respectively, and then transmit all pixels of the half left image and the half right image to the imaging module 14. If the native resolution of the imaging module 14 is 2712 × 1528 or 1920 × 1080 instead of 3840 × 2160, the projector 1 needs to move the imaging module 14 by the actuator 20 according to each sub-image, so as to generate an image with 4K resolution. It should be noted that the image processing can be achieved by an extended pixel resolution (XPR), which is well known in the art and will not be described herein.

The limitations of the FPGA 120, the actuator 20, and the motor 18 for different frame rates are shown in Table 1 below. It should be noted that table 1 only lists the image frame rates that are currently used, but the invention is not limited thereto.

TABLE 1

As shown in Table 1, the FPGA 120 and the actuator 20 cannot support image frame rates of 144Hz and 165 Hz. In addition, when the image frame rate is higher than 165Hz, the motor 18 is difficult to support and generates annoying high noise.

The technical features of the present invention will be described below with the frame rate of 144 Hz.

When the projector 1 of the present invention operates, the image conversion module 10 receives an original image sequence with a first frame rate. Then, the image conversion module 10 inserts a plurality of supplemental images into the original image sequence every second to output a supplemental image sequence with a second frame rate, wherein the second frame rate is greater than the first frame rate. In this embodiment, the first frame rate is assumed to be 144 Hz. Since the FPGA 120 cannot support an image frame rate of 144Hz, 56 supplemental images can be inserted into the original image sequence by the image conversion module 10 every second to output a supplemental image sequence with a second frame rate of 200 Hz. In this embodiment, the image conversion module 10 can sequentially and evenly interpolate the supplemental images in the original image sequence. Thus, the image conversion module 10 can up-convert the first frame rate of 144Hz of the original image sequence to the second frame rate of 200Hz of the supplemental image sequence that can be processed by the FPGA 120.

Then, the FPGA 120 of the processing module 12 receives the supplemental image sequence from the image conversion module 10, wherein the FPGA 120 processes the supplemental image sequence according to the above-mentioned manner, and then transmits the supplemental image sequence to the DSP chips 122a, 122 b. Then, the digital light processing chips 122a, 122b of the processing module 12 ignore multiple supplemental images (i.e., do not process and do not output supplemental images), and process and output the original image sequence.

Referring to fig. 2, fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a single original image and a single supplemental image in an original image sequence. As shown in fig. 2, the synchronization signal of each original image of the original image sequence may have a first polarity. In addition, when generating a plurality of supplementary images, the image conversion module 10 can set the synchronization signal of each supplementary image to a second polarity, wherein the second polarity is different from the first polarity. In this embodiment, the second polarity is opposite to the first polarity. In addition, the above-mentioned synchronization signal can be a horizontal synchronization signal Hsync, a vertical synchronization signal Vsync, or a combination thereof, depending on the application. Therefore, the digital light processing chips 122a, 122b of the processing module 12 can recognize the supplemental image from the supplemental image sequence according to the first polarity and the second polarity of the synchronization signal. After recognizing the supplemental image, the digital light processing chips 122a, 122b ignore the supplemental image (i.e., do not process and output the supplemental image), and only process and output the original image sequence. Thus, the digital light processing chips 122a, 122b can down-convert the second frame rate of the supplemental image sequence to the first frame rate of the original image sequence of 144 Hz.

In addition, the supplemental images may include at least one predetermined image, and each predetermined image may have a predetermined pattern. For example, the image conversion module 10 can generate a plurality of supplementary images by using a full white pattern and a full black pattern, wherein the full black pattern can be used as the predetermined pattern. Therefore, the supplemental image having the all black pattern is the predetermined image. In this embodiment, the output order of each supplementary image in the supplementary image sequence corresponds to a weight, wherein the weight can be expressed by a power of 2, as shown in table 2 below.

TABLE 2

Therefore, the digital light processing chips 122a, 122b of the processing module 12 can identify at least one predetermined image from the supplementary image sequence according to the second polarity and the predetermined pattern, and obtain the number of the supplementary images according to the weight of the at least one predetermined image. As shown in Table 2, the digital light processing chips 122a, 122b can recognize 3 predetermined images from the supplemental image sequence, i.e. the 4 th to 6 th supplemental images in the supplemental image sequence, according to the second polarity and the predetermined pattern (i.e. the all black pattern). Then, the digital light processing chips 122a, 122b can obtain the number of the supplemental images (i.e. 2) according to the weights of the 4 th to 6 th supplemental images³+2⁴+2⁵＝56)。

In this embodiment, the DSP chip 122a of the processing module 12 may be used as the primary processing chip. Therefore, after obtaining the number of supplemental images, the DSP chip 122a of the processing module 12 sets the output frame rate of the imaging module 14 to the first frame rate (i.e., 200- (2) according to the second frame rate of the supplemental image sequence and the number of supplemental images³+2⁴+2⁵) 144 Hz). Therefore, when the imager module 14 receives the original image sequence from the digital light processing chips 122a and 122b of the processing module 12, the imager module 14 outputs the original image sequence at the first frame rate of 144 Hz. In addition, the DSP chip 122a may set the rotation speed of the motor 18 to 1 times to avoid the rotation speed of the motor 18 being too high. Because the input frame rate and the output frame rate of the original image sequence are kept unchanged (i.e., the input frame rate and the output frame rate of the original image sequence are both the first frame rate), the present invention can effectively improve the smoothness of the image when the original image sequence is output. Similarly, when the input frame rate (i.e., the first frame rate) of the original image sequence is between 100Hz and 150Hz, the present invention can maintain the input frame rate and the output frame rate of the original image sequence unchanged in the above manner.

In another embodiment, the image conversion module 10 can insert 96 supplementary images in the original image sequence every second to output a supplementary image sequence with the second frame rate of 240 Hz. In this case, the correspondence between the output order of the supplementary images and the weight is shown in table 3 below.

TABLE 3

Therefore, as shown in table 3, the digital light processing chips 122a and 122b can recognize 2 predetermined images from the supplemental image sequence, i.e. the 6 th to 7 th supplemental images in the supplemental image sequence, according to the second polarity and the predetermined pattern (i.e. the all black pattern). Then, the digital light processing chips 122a, 122b can obtain the number of the supplemental images (i.e. 2) according to the weights of the 6 th to 7 th supplemental images⁵+2⁶96). After obtaining the number of supplemental images, the DSP chip 122a of the processing module 12 sets the output frame rate of the imaging module 14 to the first frame rate (i.e., 240- (2) — according to the second frame rate of the supplemental image sequence and the number of supplemental images⁵+2⁶)＝144Hz)。

Further, since the supplementary images are generated by the image conversion module 10, the image conversion module 10 knows the number of supplementary images. Therefore, the image conversion module 10 can arrange the output order of the supplementary images having the predetermined pattern (i.e., the above-mentioned predetermined images) according to the number of the supplementary images and the corresponding weights. Thus, the processing module 12 can identify the predetermined image from the supplemental image sequence according to the second polarity and the predetermined pattern, and obtain the number of supplemental images according to the weight of the predetermined image.

In another embodiment, the digital light processing chips 122a, 122b of the processing module 12 can also recognize all the supplementary images from the supplementary image sequence according to the second polarity to obtain the number of the supplementary images. Then, the digital light processing chip 122a of the processing module 12 sets the output frame rate of the imaging module 14 to the first frame rate according to the second frame rate and the number of the plurality of supplemental images. Therefore, the image conversion module 10 does not need to set the predetermined image and weight when generating the supplemental image.

In another embodiment, the image conversion module 10 can be in communication with the DSP chip 122a of the processing module 12 via circuitry. Therefore, the image conversion module 10 can directly notify the digital optical processing chip 122a of the processing module 12 of the first frame rate of the original image sequence after receiving the original image sequence. At this time, the digital optical processing chip 122a of the processing module 12 can set the output frame rate of the imaging module 14 to the first frame rate. Therefore, the image conversion module 10 does not need to set the predetermined image and weight when generating the supplemental image.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a light conversion module 16 'according to another embodiment of the invention, and fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of an image output by the light conversion module 16' in fig. 3.

In another embodiment, when the input frame rate (i.e., the first frame rate) of the original image sequence is 200Hz or 240Hz, the output frequency of the motor 18 cannot be set to 200Hz or 240Hz or less even if the rotation speed of the motor 18 is set to 1-fold speed. Therefore, as shown in fig. 3, the light conversion module 16' of the present invention may include a plurality of light conversion groups, and each light conversion group includes a plurality of light conversion regions. In this embodiment, the light conversion module 16' may include two light conversion groups 160 and 162, wherein the light conversion group 160 may include three light conversion regions R1, G1 and B1, and the light conversion group 162 may include three light conversion regions R2, G2 and B2.

The light conversion module 16 in fig. 1 may be replaced with the light conversion module 16' in fig. 3. When the motor 18 drives the light conversion module 16 'to rotate one turn, the two light conversion groups 160 and 162 of the light conversion module 16' can complete two image outputs, as shown in fig. 4. Therefore, when the input frame rate (i.e., the first frame rate) of the original image sequence is 240Hz, the output frequency of the motor 18 can be reduced to 120Hz, so as to avoid the generation of annoying high noise due to the over-high rotation speed of the motor 18. It should be noted that the number of the photo-conversion groups of the photo-conversion module 16' can be determined according to the required image frame rate.

In another embodiment, when the input frame rate (i.e., the first frame rate) of the original image sequence is higher than 150Hz and lower than 200Hz, the present invention can utilize the supplemental image and the optical conversion module having multiple optical conversion groups to overcome the hardware configuration limitation. For example, when the input frame rate (i.e., the first frame rate) of the original image sequence is Y Hz (150< Y <200), the image conversion module 10 may first up-convert the input frame rate (i.e., the first frame rate) of the original image sequence to 200Hz according to the above-mentioned manner. In addition, the DPEs 122a and 122b can also down-convert 200Hz to Y Hz according to the above-mentioned manner. In this embodiment, the light conversion module may include three light conversion groups. Therefore, when the motor 18 drives the light conversion module to rotate one turn, three light conversion groups of the light conversion module can complete three image outputs. At this time, the rotation speed of the motor 18 may be set to 2/3 times, so that the rotation speed of the light conversion module falls between 100Hz and 133 Hz. Similarly, if the input frame rate (i.e., the first frame rate) of the original image sequence is higher than 200Hz and lower than 240Hz, the light conversion module of the present invention may comprise two light conversion groups, and the rotation speed of the motor 18 is set to 1/2 times. At this time, the rotation speed of the optical conversion module falls between 100Hz to 120 Hz.

Referring to fig. 5, fig. 5 is a functional block diagram of a projector 1' according to another embodiment of the invention. The main difference between the projector 1' and the projector 1 is that the light source 22 of the projector 1' can be a laser, and the light conversion module 16 of the projector 1' can be a fluorescent wheel. In this embodiment, the light conversion module 16 may include two light conversion regions B, Y, but not limited thereto. The composition of the light conversion region of the light conversion module 16 can be determined according to the actual application. In practical application, the light conversion region B can directly reflect light emitted by the blue light source, and the light conversion region Y can be provided with yellow phosphor. In addition, the projector 1' includes two imaging modules 14a and 14b and two actuators 20a and 20 b. The actuators 20a, 20b are respectively coupled to the imaging modules 14a, 14b and are used for driving the imaging modules 14a, 14b to move. It should be noted that the same elements in fig. 5 and fig. 1 have the same functions and principles, and are not described herein again.

In addition, the projector 1' is further provided with a light splitting element and a reflector (not shown in the figure), so that the blue light and the green light can be transmitted to the imaging module 14a, and the red light can be transmitted to the imaging module 14 b. It should be noted that the operation principle of the beam splitting element and the reflecting mirror is well known in the prior art and will not be described herein. The above-mentioned principle of the projector 1 is also applicable to the projector 1', and will not be described herein again.

Referring to fig. 6 and 7, fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a light conversion module 16 ″ according to another embodiment of the invention, and fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of an image output by the light conversion module 16 ″ in fig. 6.

As shown in fig. 6, the photo-conversion module 16 ″ may include two photo-conversion groups 160, 162, wherein the photo-conversion group 160 may include two photo-conversion regions B1, Y1, and the photo-conversion group 162 may include two photo-conversion regions B2, Y2. The light conversion module 16 in fig. 5 can be replaced with the light conversion module 16 ″ in fig. 6. When the motor 18 drives the photo-conversion module 16 "to rotate one turn, the two photo-conversion groups 160, 162 of the photo-conversion module 16" can complete two image outputs, as shown in fig. 7. Therefore, when the input frame rate (i.e., the first frame rate) of the original image sequence is 240Hz, the output frequency of the motor 18 can be reduced to 120Hz, so as to avoid the generation of annoying high noise due to the over-high rotation speed of the motor 18. It should be noted that the number of the photo-conversion groups of the photo-conversion module 16 "can be determined according to the required image frame rate.

Referring to fig. 8, fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a projection method according to an embodiment of the invention. The projection method in fig. 8 is applicable to the projector 1 in fig. 1 and the projector 1' in fig. 5. First, step S10 is executed to receive an original image sequence with a first frame rate from the image conversion module 10. Then, step S12 is executed to insert multiple supplemental images into the original image sequence by the image conversion module 10 every second, so as to output the supplemental image sequence with the second frame rate. Then, step S14 is executed to receive the supplemental image sequence from the image conversion module 10 by the processing module 12. Then, step S16 is executed, the processing module 12 ignores the supplementary images, and processes and outputs the original image sequence. Then, step S18 is executed to receive the original image sequence from the processing module 12 by the imaging module 14. Then, step S20 is executed to output the original image sequence from the imaging module 14 at the first frame rate.

In addition, in the embodiment of the projection method of the present invention, the processing module has a plurality of different methods for determining the first frame rate of the original image sequence.

In one embodiment, the synchronization signal of the original image sequence has a first polarity, the image conversion module sets the synchronization signal of the plurality of supplemental images to a second polarity, the second polarity is different from the first polarity, the plurality of supplemental images include at least one predetermined image, each predetermined image has a predetermined pattern, the output sequence of each supplemental image in the supplemental image sequence corresponds to a weight, and the projection method further includes the following steps: identifying the at least one predetermined image from the supplemental image sequence by the processing module according to the second polarity and the predetermined pattern; obtaining the number of the plurality of supplementary images by the processing module according to the weight of the at least one predetermined image; and setting the output frame rate of the imaging module to the first frame rate by the processing module according to the second frame rate and the number of the supplementary images.

In another embodiment, the synchronization signal of the original image sequence has a first polarity, the image conversion module sets the synchronization signals of the plurality of supplemental images to a second polarity, the second polarity being different from the first polarity, the projection method further includes the following steps: identifying the plurality of supplementary images from the supplementary image sequence by the processing module according to the second polarity to obtain the number of the plurality of supplementary images; and setting the output frame rate of the imaging module to the first frame rate by the processing module according to the second frame rate and the number of the supplementary images.

In another embodiment, a method for determining a first frame rate of an original image sequence comprises the following steps: the image conversion module receives the original image sequence and then informs the processing module of the first frame rate of the original image sequence; the processing module sets the output frame rate of the imaging module to the first frame rate.

It should be noted that the detailed embodiments of the projection method of the present invention are described above, and are not described herein again. In addition, each part or function in the control logic of the projection method of the present invention can be implemented by a combination of software and hardware, which can be specifically described with reference to the projector architectures described in fig. 1 to 7 and the corresponding embodiments, and will not be described again here.

In summary, when the processing module cannot support the original image sequence with the first frame rate, the image conversion module first uses the supplemental image to up-convert the original image sequence with the first frame rate into the supplemental image sequence with the second frame rate that can be supported by the processing module. After receiving the supplemental image sequence, the processing module ignores the supplemental image (i.e., does not process and output the supplemental image) and only processes and outputs the original image sequence. Therefore, the imaging module can output the original image sequence at the first frame rate. Because the input frame rate and the output frame rate of the original image sequence are kept unchanged (i.e., the input frame rate and the output frame rate of the original image sequence are both the first frame rate), the present invention can effectively improve the smoothness of the image when the original image sequence is output. In addition, the light conversion module (e.g., a color wheel or a fluorescent wheel) of the projector is driven by a motor to rotate. The invention can further arrange a plurality of light conversion groups on the light conversion module, so that the light conversion module can complete the output of a plurality of images by rotating one circle. Therefore, when the first frame rate of the original image sequence is too high, the invention can utilize the light conversion module with a plurality of light conversion groups to reduce the rotating speed of the motor, so as to avoid the annoying high noise caused by too high rotating speed of the motor.

The present invention has been described in relation to the above embodiments, which are only exemplary of the implementation of the present invention. It should be noted that the disclosed embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention. Rather, it is intended that all such modifications and variations be included within the spirit and scope of this invention.