JP2007293203A - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, program, and television receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform a changeover of image quality without giving a sense of incongruity to a user as an audience. <P>SOLUTION: When the changeover of image quality is required in the state where two videos P<SB>M</SB>and P<SB>S</SB>of the same content are being displayed on a display piled up on each other in the same image quality, a signal processing controller 51-1 gradually raises transparency of the video PM piled up on the upper side, and when the video P<SB>M</SB>piled up on the upper side becomes a completely transparent video, an image quality controller 52-1 performs the changeover of image quality only for the video P<SB>M</SB>piled up on the upper side. When the changeover of the image quality is over, the signal processing controller 51-1 gradually lowers the transparency of the video P<SB>M</SB>piled up on the upper side. This invention is applicable to equipment treating videos such as a television receiver and video recording equipment having two or more scalers. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing device, an image processing method, a program, and a television receiver, and in particular, an image processing device capable of switching image quality without giving a sense of incongruity to a user who is a viewer, The present invention relates to an image processing method, a program, and a television receiver.

  In devices that handle video, such as television receivers and recording devices, various processing aimed at improving image quality on video signals obtained by decoding broadcast signals and video signals input from outside Is given. For example, processing for adjusting the brightness and white balance, processing for converting the resolution according to the display device, processing for converting to video of a predetermined standard format for connection to other devices, etc. are performed on the video signal. Is done.

  When the image quality is switched by applying such various processes to the video signal (the case where the image quality is switched according to the operation by the user or the case where the image quality is automatically switched by the device. In other words, so-called image disturbance may occur, and switching of image quality is generally performed when the user is displaying video on a display device. The user will notice that it has occurred.

  Image disturbance may or may not occur depending on the type of processing applied to the image. Generally, image disturbance does not occur when adjusting brightness or white balance, but switching image quality adjustment devices. This is caused by switching (whether or not to allow a certain video processing block to perform video processing) or high-quality image quality setting switching. Various video processing functions have been installed in television receivers and recording devices sold in recent years in order to improve image quality.

  Therefore, “blanking” is usually used in situations where image disturbance occurs to prevent the user from seeing the image disturbance.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for displaying a multi-screen using videos obtained by a plurality of scalers.
JP 2005-184705 A

  However, if image blanking is not shown to the user by inserting “blanking”, the video will not be displayed for a certain period of time and the continuity will be lost, resulting in poor video quality.

  In particular, it is inconvenient for the user to insert blanking when the image quality is automatically switched even when there is no user operation such as selecting a predetermined item from the menu.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and makes it possible to switch image quality without giving a sense of discomfort to a user who is a viewer.

  In the image processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of videos are output in a state of being superimposed on the top of the plurality of videos from a state where the contents are the same and are output with the same image quality. First control means for gradually increasing the transparency of the first video that is output, and switching the image quality of the first video when the first video becomes a video having a predetermined transparency. The image quality switching means, and the first control means further gradually changes the transparency of the first video when the image quality of the first video is switched by the first image quality switching means. To output.

  The first image quality switching means can switch the image quality of the first video when the transparency of the first video reaches a maximum.

  There may be further provided second control means for outputting a second video on which the first video is superimposed, and second image quality switching means for switching the image quality of the second video.

  In the second image quality switching means, when the first image whose image quality has been switched becomes an image having no transparency, the image quality of the second image is changed to the first image whose image quality has been switched. Can be switched so as to have the same image quality as that of the video.

  The image processing method or program according to one aspect of the present invention outputs a plurality of videos superimposed on the top of the plurality of videos from a state in which the plurality of videos have the same contents and are output with the same image quality. The first video is output with its transparency gradually increased, and when the first video becomes a video having a predetermined transparency, the image quality of the first video is switched, and the first video A step of gradually lowering the transparency of the first video when the switching of the video quality of the video has been completed.

  The television receiver according to another aspect of the present invention outputs a plurality of videos superimposed on the top of the plurality of videos from a state in which the plurality of videos have the same contents and are output with the same image quality. Control means for gradually increasing the transparency of the first video that has been output, and image quality switching for switching the image quality of the first video when the first video becomes a video having a predetermined transparency And the control means further outputs the first video by gradually decreasing the transparency of the first video when the switching of the image quality of the first video by the image quality switching means is completed.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the first video that is output by being superimposed on the top of the plurality of videos from the state in which a plurality of videos having the same contents are output with the same image quality is the transparency. Are gradually raised and output, and when the first video becomes a video having a predetermined transparency, the image quality of the first video is switched. Further, when the switching of the image quality of the first video is finished, the transparency of the first video is gradually lowered and output.

  In another aspect of the present invention, the first video that is output by being superimposed on the top of the plurality of videos from the state in which the plurality of videos having the same content are output with the same image quality is When the transparency is gradually increased and output, and the first video becomes a video having a predetermined transparency, the image quality of the first video is switched. Further, when the switching of the image quality of the first video is finished, the transparency of the first video is gradually lowered and output.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to switch image quality without giving a sense of discomfort to a user who is a viewer.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Correspondences between the constituent elements of the present invention and the embodiments described in the specification or the drawings are exemplified as follows. This description is intended to confirm that the embodiments supporting the present invention are described in the specification or the drawings. Therefore, even if there is an embodiment which is described in the specification or the drawings but is not described here as an embodiment corresponding to the constituent elements of the present invention, that is not the case. It does not mean that the form does not correspond to the constituent requirements. On the contrary, even if an embodiment is described herein as corresponding to the invention, this does not mean that the embodiment does not correspond to other than the configuration requirements. .

  The image processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention and the television receiver according to another aspect of the present invention are configured so that a plurality of videos have the same contents and are output in an overlapping manner with the same image quality. First control means (for example, the signal processing control unit 51-1 in FIG. 2) for gradually increasing the transparency of the first video output superimposed on the top of the first video, and the first video And a first image quality switching unit (for example, an image quality control unit 52-1 in FIG. 2) for switching the image quality of the first image when the image becomes an image having a predetermined transparency. The means further outputs the first video by gradually decreasing the transparency of the first video when the switching of the image quality of the first video by the first image quality switching means is finished.

  2nd control means (for example, signal processing control part 51-2 of Drawing 2) which outputs the 2nd picture on which the 1st picture is piled up, and the 2nd which changes the picture quality of the 2nd picture An image quality switching means (for example, the image quality control unit 52-2 in FIG. 2) can be further provided.

  The image processing method or program according to one aspect of the present invention outputs a plurality of videos superimposed on the top of the plurality of videos from a state in which the plurality of videos have the same contents and are output with the same image quality. The first video is output with its transparency gradually increased, and when the first video becomes a video having a predetermined transparency, the image quality of the first video is switched, and the first video When the switching of the image quality of the video is finished, the method includes a step of gradually decreasing the transparency of the first video and outputting it (for example, step S24 in FIG. 8).

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example according to an embodiment of a television receiver 1 to which the present invention is applied.

  The main tuner 22-1 demodulates the composite video signal and the audio signal based on a signal of a predetermined channel among the broadcast signals supplied from the antenna 21 when the broadcast wave is received, and outputs the signals as signals. Output to the control unit 24.

  Similarly, the sub-tuner 22-2 demodulates the video signal and the audio signal based on a predetermined channel signal among the broadcast signals supplied from the antenna 21 and outputs these signals to the signal control unit 24.

  As described above, the television receiver 1 is a television system having a plurality of tuners and having a plurality of scalers for processing images obtained by the respective tuners. Multiple scalers perform multi-screen display that displays multiple images on one screen, or display information obtained from one scaler while detecting information using the image obtained from the other scaler. Used to do things. Further, as will be described later in detail, it is also used for switching the image quality without giving the user a sense of incongruity.

  The signal control unit 24 converts a predetermined video signal from the video signal supplied from the main tuner 22-1, the sub tuner 22-2, or the video input terminal 23 into a video signal processing unit 25-1, or a video signal processing unit. 25-2, and a predetermined audio signal is output to the audio processor 29. A signal output from the signal control unit 24 is controlled by the main microcomputer 35 via an IIC (Inter Integrated Circuit) bus 36.

  The video signal processing unit 25-1 separates the video signal supplied from the signal control unit 24 into a luminance signal and a color signal according to control by the main microcomputer 35, and performs predetermined processing on these signals, and the obtained video The signal is output to the signal synthesis unit 26.

  Similarly, the video signal processing unit 25-2 is obtained by separating the video signal supplied from the signal control unit 24 into a luminance signal and a color signal according to the control by the main microcomputer 35 and performing predetermined processing on these signals. The obtained video signal is output to the signal synthesis unit 26.

  Based on the video signal output from the video signal processing unit 25-1 or the video signal processing unit 25-2, the signal synthesis unit 26 displays a video signal for displaying a plurality of different videos on one screen, A video signal for displaying the same video on the screen is generated, and the generated video signal is output to the video processor 27.

  The video processor 27 generates an RGB signal for driving the display 28 based on the video signal supplied from the signal synthesis unit 26 and outputs the RGB signal to the display 28.

  The display 28 includes a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), an LCD (Liquid Crystal display), and the like, and displays an image based on the RGB signal supplied from the video processor 27.

  The audio processor 29 adjusts the volume, balance, sound quality, and the like of the audio output by the audio signal supplied from the signal control unit 24 under the control of the main microcomputer 35, and outputs the obtained audio signal to the amplifier 30.

  The amplifier 30 amplifies the audio signal supplied from the audio processor 29 and outputs audio from the speaker 31 in accordance with the display of the video on the display 28.

  The nonvolatile memory 32 is configured by, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) and stores various data used for processing of the main microcomputer 35.

  The operation key 33 is a key provided on the surface of the casing of the television receiver 1, and outputs a signal corresponding to a user operation to the main microcomputer 35.

  The remote controller receiving unit 34 receives infrared rays transmitted from a remote controller (not shown) and outputs a signal corresponding to a user operation to the main microcomputer 35. From the operation key 33 and the remote controller receiving unit 34, a signal for instructing switching of image quality is output to the main microcomputer 35.

  The main microcomputer 35 controls the entire television receiver 1 by executing a predetermined program and performs various processes. The main microcomputer 35 has a RAM (Random Access Memory) 37 for temporarily storing data being processed.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the signal control unit 24, the video signal processing units 25-1 and 25-2, and the signal synthesis unit 26 in the entire configuration of the television receiver 1 shown in FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 2, in addition to the analog broadcast signal that is the video signal of the analog broadcast program and the digital broadcast signal that is the video signal of the digital broadcast program supplied from the main tuner 22-1 or the sub tuner 22-2. A PC signal that is a video signal supplied from a personal computer (not shown) connected to the television receiver 1 via a cable, a component input signal that is a video signal supplied from a component terminal (not shown), and a video input A video input signal which is a video signal supplied from the terminal 23 is input to the signal control unit 24.

  The signal control unit 24 selects a predetermined video signal from these video signals according to control by the main microcomputer 35, and outputs the selected video signal to the video signal processing units 25-1 and 25-2.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the video signal processing unit 25-1 includes a signal processing control unit 51-1 and an image quality control unit 52-1, and the video signal processing unit 25-2 is a signal processing control unit 51-2. And an image quality control unit 52-2.

  The signal processing control unit 51-1 of the video signal processing unit 25-1 has a scaler for converting the resolution of the video, and the video supplied from the signal control unit 24 is converted into a video of a predetermined format (resolution). The obtained image is output to the image quality control unit 52-1.

  In addition, the signal processing control unit 51-1 appropriately controls the transparency of the molded image. Transparency is a value that indicates the degree of transparency of the image. The higher the value, the closer the image is to transparency (the image that is not visible when displayed), and the lower the value, the less transparent the image (displayed) (Sometimes visible images).

  The image quality control unit 52-1 adjusts the image quality of the video supplied from the signal processing control unit 51-1, according to the parameters set by the main microcomputer 35, and outputs the adjusted video to the signal synthesis unit 26. In the image quality control unit 52-1, various adjustments such as brightness adjustment, white balance adjustment, and edge adjustment are performed. Note that it is also possible for the image quality control unit 52-1 to control the transparency of the video that is performed in the signal processing control unit 51-1.

  On the other hand, the signal processing control unit 51-2 of the video signal processing unit 25-2 also has a scaler for converting the resolution of the video, and the video supplied from the signal control unit 24 is converted into a predetermined format (resolution). And the obtained image is output to the image quality control unit 52-2.

  The image quality control unit 52-2 adjusts the image quality of the video supplied from the signal processing control unit 51-2 according to the parameters set by the main microcomputer 35, and outputs the adjusted video to the signal synthesis unit 26. The image quality control unit 52-2 also performs various adjustments such as brightness adjustment, white balance adjustment, and edge adjustment.

  Hereinafter, as appropriate, the scaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-1 of the video signal processing unit 25-1 is referred to as a main scaler, and the scaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-2 of the video signal processing unit 25-2 is referred to as a subscaler. As will be described later, when only one video is displayed on the display 28, only the main scaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-1 is used for video display.

  The signal synthesis unit 26 synthesizes the video supplied from the image quality control unit 52-1 of the video signal processing unit 25-1 and the video supplied from the image quality control unit 52-2 of the video signal processing unit 25-2, A signal representing an image to be displayed on the display 28 is generated. The video signal generated by the signal synthesis unit 26 is output to the video processor 27 (FIG. 1), and the video generated by the signal synthesis unit 26 is displayed on the display 28 by the video processor 27.

  Here, FIG. 2 shows a case where a two-screen display is performed in which two images are simultaneously displayed by using two scalers of the main scaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-1 and the subscaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-2. The operation of each part will be described.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the signal control unit 24 outputs the analog broadcast signal supplied from the main tuner 22-1 or the sub-tuner 22-2 to the video signal processing unit 25-1 for video input. The signal is output to the video signal processing unit 25-2.

  The main scaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-1 is a video having a resolution that can display the video represented by the analog broadcast signal supplied from the signal control unit 24 in, for example, the left half area of the display 28. The obtained video is output to the image quality control unit 52-1.

  The image quality control unit 52-1 adjusts the image quality of the video supplied from the main scaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-1, and outputs the analog broadcast signal whose image quality has been adjusted to the signal synthesis unit 26.

  The subscaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-2 is obtained as a video having a resolution that can display the video represented by the video input signal supplied from the signal control unit 24 in, for example, the right half area of the display 28. The recorded video is output to the image quality control unit 52-2.

  The image quality control unit 52-2 adjusts the image quality of the video supplied from the subscaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-2, and outputs the video input signal whose image quality has been adjusted to the signal synthesis unit 26.

  The signal synthesizer 26 is represented by an image represented by an image quality adjusted analog broadcast signal supplied from the image quality control unit 52-1, and an image quality adjusted video input signal supplied from the image quality control unit 52-2. The video processor 27 performs a two-screen display based on a video signal obtained by combining the video images so that the video images fit within one screen.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of two-screen display displayed on the display 28 based on the video signal obtained by the signal synthesis unit 26.

In the example of FIG. 3, the image P _M on the left side of the screen, the image P _S are each displayed on the right side of the screen. The video P _M is a video obtained based on the analog broadcast signal by the main scaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-1, and the video P _S is converted into a video input signal by the subscaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-2. It is the image obtained based on. When the two-screen display is performed, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the video P _M and the video P _S are videos having different contents.

  Next, the operation of each part in the case of performing one-screen display for displaying only one video image on the screen, which is normally used, will be described.

In this case, since only the video image P _M obtained by the main scaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-1 needs to be displayed, each unit of the video signal processing unit 25-2 does not operate as shown in FIG. . In FIG. 4, the fact that the video signal processing unit 25-2 is indicated by a dotted line indicates that it is not operating. Further, the video signal is not output from the signal control unit 24 to the video signal processing unit 25-2.

  The signal control unit 24 outputs, for example, an analog broadcast signal supplied from the main tuner 22-1 or the sub tuner 22-2 to the video signal processing unit 25-1.

  The main scaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-1 converts the video represented by the analog broadcast signal supplied from the signal control unit 24 into a video having the same resolution as that of the entire display 28, for example, and the obtained video is image quality. It outputs to the control part 52-1.

  The image quality control unit 52-1 adjusts the image quality of the video supplied from the main scaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-1, and outputs the analog broadcast signal whose image quality has been adjusted to the signal synthesis unit 26.

The signal synthesizer 26 causes the video processor 27 to display a screen based on the analog broadcast signal whose image quality has been adjusted supplied from the image quality controller 52-1. At this time, as shown in the right end of FIG. 4, only the image P _M that is an image obtained by using the main scaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-1 is displayed on the entire display 28.

  Next, switching of image quality performed by the television receiver 1 will be described.

  As described above, in the television receiver 1, the main scaler and the subscaler, which are a plurality of scalers, are used to switch the image quality. The switching of the image quality is basically performed in three states of “state A”, “state B”, and “state C”.

  The state A is a display state of the display 28 in which two videos having the same content are displayed in an overlapping manner with the same image quality.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the signal control unit 24 sends a video signal having the same content to the video signal processing unit 25-1 and the video signal processing unit 25-2, for example, the same analog broadcast signal. Output. In the main tuner 22-1 and the sub tuner 22-1, the video signal of the same channel is acquired, and the acquired video signal is output to the signal control unit 24.

  The main scaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-1 and the subscaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-2 each perform predetermined processing on the video signal supplied from the signal control unit 24, and convert the obtained video signal into image quality. The data is output to the control unit 52-1 and the image quality control unit 52-2.

  Each of the image quality control unit 52-1 and the image quality control unit 52-2 performs the same process as the image quality adjustment process on the supplied video signal, and outputs the image quality adjusted video to the signal synthesis unit 26. At this time, the same parameter is set by the main microcomputer 35 as a parameter for defining the image quality for the image quality control unit 52-1 and the image quality control unit 52-2.

Signal combining unit 26, for example, video P _M is the upper (screen before) supplied from the image quality control unit 52-1, so that the image P _S supplied from the image quality control unit 52-2 is the bottom (screen back) The video P _M and the video P _S are superimposed on each other, and a signal representing the video in a state where the video P _M and the video P _S are superimposed is output to the video processor 27.

In the video processor 27, screen display is performed based on the video signal output from the signal synthesis unit 26. Since the image P _M and the image P _S have the same contents and the same image quality, when they are overlapped, only the uppermost image P _M is displayed as shown in the right end of FIG. The user will see it.

That is, the appearance of the user, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the same and appearance when the conventional single-screen display is being performed, this time, the image P _S is not visible to the user.

  The switching of the image quality in the television receiver 1 is performed in the state A in which the same video is displayed with the same image quality. For example, when the user requests to switch the image quality by selecting a predetermined item from the menu, the display state of the display 28 changes from the state A to the state B.

  Even during the transition to the state B, the signal control unit 24 outputs the same video signal, such as the same analog broadcast signal, to the video signal processing unit 25-1 and the video signal processing unit 25-2. to continue.

  The main scaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-1 and the subscaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-2 each perform predetermined processing on the video signal supplied from the signal control unit 24 and display on the display 28. Video with the resolution of.

  At this time, the signal processing control unit 51-1 outputs the video obtained by the main scaler to the image quality control unit 52-1, while gradually increasing the transparency. Each of the images constituting the video output to the image quality control unit 52-1 becomes more transparent as the image is later in the display order, and becomes invisible when displayed.

  On the other hand, the signal processing control unit 51-2 outputs the video obtained by the subscaler to the image quality control unit 52-2 with the transparency being minimized.

Each of the image quality control unit 52-1 and the image quality control unit 52-2 performs the same process as the image quality adjustment process on the supplied video signal, and outputs the image quality adjusted video to the signal synthesis unit 26. Brightness adjustment of, such as white balance adjustment, as though the same process is performed for adjustment of image quality, image P _M that is output from the image quality control unit 52-1 to the signal combining unit 26 with transparency , and the image P _S which is output from the image quality control unit 52-2 to the signal combining unit 26 becomes no transparency.

Signal combining unit 26, superimposing the image P _M and the image P _S as above supplied video P _M is the image P _S supplied from the image quality control unit 52-2 is below the image quality control unit 52-1 The superimposed video is output to the video processor 27 and displayed on the display 28.

Since only the video P _M becomes gradually transparent with the passage of time, the user gradually sees the video P _S while watching only the video P _M in the state A. It will be. Even when the video to be viewed is switched from the video P _M to the video P _S , the video P _M and the video P _S are the same video and have the same image quality, which makes the user feel uncomfortable. There is nothing.

When the transparency of the video P _M increases and finally the video P _M output from the image quality control unit 52-1 becomes a completely transparent video as shown in FIG. 6 (the transparency becomes maximum). The appearance of the user is the same as that of the normal one-screen display described with reference to FIG. As shown at the right end of FIG. 6, the image P _M is not visible, and the user is only viewing the image P _S. In FIG. 6, the fact that the image P _M is indicated by a dotted line indicates that the image P _M is transparent.

Thus, the image P _M becomes completely transparent, which is displayed over the top, the display state of the display 28 when only the image P _S is displayed as an image viewable is state B.

  In the state B, the image quality control unit 52-1 switches the image quality for the video supplied from the main scaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-1. A parameter that defines the image quality after switching is supplied from the main microcomputer 35 so that the image quality requested by the user is obtained, and the image quality control unit 52-1 switches the image quality according to the parameter.

When in state B, because the image P _M to be switched in the picture quality is a transparent image, as image disturbance by switching the picture quality is generated, the image disturbance is not visible to the user. The user is not the subject of switching of image quality, it will continue watching the video P _S of a certain quality. When the switching of the image quality for the image P _M is completed, the display state of the display 28 changes from the state B to the state C.

  Even during the transition to the state C, the signal control unit 24 outputs the video signal having the same content to the video signal processing unit 25-1 and the video signal processing unit 25-2, for example, the same analog broadcast signal. to continue.

  The main scaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-1 and the subscaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-2 each perform predetermined processing on the video signal supplied from the signal control unit 24 and display on the display 28. Video with the resolution of.

  At this time, the signal processing control unit 51-1 outputs the video obtained by the main scaler to the image quality control unit 52-1, while gradually decreasing the transparency. Each image constituting the video output to the image quality control unit 52-1 becomes less transparent as the image is later in the display order, and becomes visible when displayed.

  On the other hand, the signal processing control unit 51-2 outputs the video obtained by the subscaler to the image quality control unit 52-2 with the transparency being minimized.

Each of the image quality control unit 52-1 and the image quality control unit 52-2 performs an image quality adjustment process on the supplied video signal and outputs the image quality adjusted video to the signal synthesis unit 26. Image quality control unit 52-1 in accordance with the parameters set by the main microcomputer 35 in the state B, performs the adjustment processing of image quality as the image P _M of image quality after switching is outputted, whereas, the image quality control unit 52 -2 performs an adjustment process with the same image quality as the process performed from the state A. At this time, the image quality adjustment process performed by the image quality control unit 52-1 and the image quality adjustment process performed by the image quality control unit 52-2 are different processes defined by different parameters.

The video P _M output from the image quality control unit 52-1 to the signal synthesis unit 26 has transparency, and the video P _S output from the image quality control unit 52-2 to the signal synthesis unit 26 has no transparency. Become.

Signal combining unit 26, superimposing the image P _M and the image P _S as above supplied video P _M is the image P _S supplied from the image quality control unit 52-2 is below the image quality control unit 52-1 The superimposed video is output to the video processor 27 and displayed on the display 28.

As the video P _M gradually becomes non-transparent with time and becomes visible, this allows the user to see only the video P _S in the state B, You will also see the video P _M. Video P _M that will be viewed by the user gradually, because it is the video after the switching of image quality, as is the appearance of the user, will gradually the image quality is going to be switched.

The subject of the video to see is, from the video P _S, even in a case where switching to the image P _M after switching of image quality, to become as the video P _M appear gradually, as compared with the case where momentarily switch the image quality, It is possible to perform smooth switching that makes it difficult for the user to feel uncomfortable about the switching of the image quality.

When the transparency of the image P _M decreases and finally the image P _M output from the image quality control unit 52-1 becomes a fully visible image as shown in FIG. 7 (the transparency is minimized). When the normal one-screen display described with reference to FIG. 4 is performed, the user's appearance is the same as that of the user. As shown in the right end of FIG. 7, the image P _S is transparent, the user will be looking at only the image P _M image quality is switched.

The display state of the display 28 becomes the state C when the transparency of the video P _M displayed on the top is minimized and only the video P _M whose image quality has been switched is displayed as a viewable video. In this way, the display state of the display 28 transitions in the order of state A, state B, and state C. When the state changes to state C, the switching of the image quality is completed.

Further, when the display state of the display 28 becomes state C, the image quality control unit 52-2, as will become of the same quality as the image P _M that is output from the image quality control unit 52-1, the main microcomputer 35 according to the set parameters, switching the image quality of the image P _S, and outputs the image P _S after switching of the image quality to the signal synthesis section 26. That is, the same parameters as those set in the image quality control unit 52-1 are set for the image quality control unit 52-2 by the main microcomputer 35. In the image quality control unit 52-2, the image quality control unit 52-1 Adjustment processing with the same image quality as the processing being performed is performed.

When the display state of the display 28 is in the state C, the since the image P _S is not visible to the user, even image disturbance by switching the quality of the image P _S has occurred, the user will not notice it. When the switching of the image quality for the image P _S is completed, the display state of the display 28 returns to the state A as an initial state in which two images having the same content are superimposed and displayed with the same image quality.

  Here, with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 8, a series of processes of the television receiver 1 that switches the image quality will be described.

In this example, as described above, the video P _M and the video P _S are respectively acquired by the main scaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-1 and the subscaler included in the signal processing control unit 51-2, and the video P _M is The case where the video P _M and the video P _S are overlapped so that the video P _S is below will be described.

  FIG. 8 shows the processing of the signal processing control units 51-1 and 51-2 and the image quality control units 52-1 and 52-2 and the processing of the image processing software. The image processing software is software that controls the signal processing control units 51-1 and 51-2, the image quality control units 52-1 and 52-2, etc., and realizes switching of image quality and the like and is executed by the main microcomputer 35. Is done.

  In step S1, when a user requests to switch the image quality by selecting a predetermined item from the menu, the image processing software accepts it in step S11.

In step S12, the image processing software is required to initiate the transparency of the image P _M that is displayed over the top to the signal processing control unit 51-1. As shown on the right side of FIG. 8, the display state of the display 28 when this request is made is a state A in which the video P _M and the video P _{S that} are the same video are superimposed and displayed with the same image quality. .

In step S21, the signal processing control unit 51-1 receives the request from the image processing software, while gradually increasing the transparency, and outputs the image P _M obtained by the main scaler to the image quality control unit 52-1 Start that. When the process of increasing the transparency of the image P _M by the signal processing control section 51-1 are also being, in the signal processing control unit 51-2, a video P _S of transparency remains minimum is obtained, the image quality control unit It is output to 52-2.

When the transparency of the image P _M is maximized and the image P _M output from the image quality control unit 52-1 becomes a completely transparent image, in step S 22, the signal processing control unit 51-1 displays the image P _M. Is notified to the image processing software. Display state of the display 28 when this notification is performed, as shown on the right side of FIG. 8, a state B in which only the image P _S is displayed as an image viewable.

In step S13, the image processing software receives the notification from the signal processing control unit 51-1, proceeds to step S14, notifies the signal processing control unit 51-2 of the parameter that defines the image quality after switching, and the video. to request to switch the image quality of the P _M.

In step S23, the image quality control unit 52-1 receives the request from the image processing software according to the newly transmitted parameter from the image processing software, such images P _M of image quality after switching is outputted Performs image quality adjustment processing. Even when the image quality control unit 52-1 switches the image quality, the image quality control unit 52-2 continues the adjustment process with the same image quality as the process performed from the state A.

When elapsed since the request to switch the image quality of the image P _M for a predetermined time, in step S15, the image processing software releases the transparency of the image P _M, that gradually lowers the transparency This is requested to the signal processing control unit 51-1. For the image processing software, the time required to switch the image quality of the image P _M is preset.

In step S24, the signal processing control unit 51-1 receives the request from the image processing software, while gradually lowering the transparency, and outputs the image P _M obtained by the main scaler to the image quality control unit 52-1 Start that. When the process of lowering the transparency of the image P _M by the signal processing control section 51-1 are also being, in the signal processing control unit 51-2, a video P _S of transparency remains minimum is obtained, the image quality control unit It is output to 52-2.

When the transparency of the video P _M is minimized, in step S25, the image quality control unit 52-1 notifies the image processing software that the release of the transparency of the video P _M has been completed. Display state of the display 28 when this notification is performed, as shown on the right side of FIG. 8, a state C in which only the image P _M after switching the image quality is displayed as an image viewable.

In step S16, the image processing software, the parameters for receiving the notification from the image quality control unit 52-1, the process proceeds to step S17, defining the same image quality as the image quality of the image P _M after switching, i.e., the image quality in step S14 the same parameters that inform the control unit 52-1 also notifies the image quality control unit 52-2, requesting switching the image quality of the image P _S.

In step S26, the image quality control unit 52-2 receives the request from the image processing software according to the newly transmitted parameter from the image processing software, such images P _S quality after switching is outputted Performs image quality adjustment processing.

When elapsed since the request to switch the image quality of the image P _S for a predetermined time, in step S18, the image processing software, the state waiting for the user, the it is required for switching the image quality Become. When the user requests to switch the image quality again, the same processing as described above is performed. The above processing is performed not only when there is a request from the user but also when there is a request from other software.

  With the above processing, it is not necessary to insert blanking even in a situation where image disturbance occurs due to the switching of the image quality, and the image quality can be switched without giving the user a sense of incongruity.

  In the above description, the case where the video whose image quality has been switched is used as a video displayed on the display 28 has been described. However, the video may be used as a video to be recorded on an HDD or the like.

  In the above description, the television receiver 1 is provided with two scalers, and these scalers are used to switch the image quality. However, three or more scalers are provided, and three of them are provided. Two or more scalers may be used to switch the image quality.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software executes various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. For example, it is installed from a program recording medium in a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a personal computer that executes the above-described series of processing by a program.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 executes various processes according to a program stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102 or a storage unit 108. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 103 appropriately stores programs executed by the CPU 101 and data. These CPU 101, ROM 102, and RAM 103 are connected to each other by a bus 104.

  An input / output interface 105 is also connected to the CPU 101 via the bus 104. Connected to the input / output interface 105 are an input unit 106 made up of a keyboard, mouse, microphone, and the like, and an output unit 107 made up of a display, a speaker, and the like. The CPU 101 executes various processes in response to commands input from the input unit 106. Then, the CPU 101 outputs the processing result to the output unit 107.

  The storage unit 108 connected to the input / output interface 105 includes, for example, a hard disk and stores programs executed by the CPU 101 and various data. The communication unit 109 communicates with an external device via a network such as the Internet or a local area network.

  A drive 110 connected to the input / output interface 105 drives a removable medium 111 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and drives programs and data recorded therein. Get etc. The acquired program and data are transferred to and stored in the storage unit 108 as necessary.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a program recording medium that stores a program that is installed in a computer and can be executed by the computer includes a magnetic disk (including a flexible disk), an optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only). Memory, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a magneto-optical disk, a removable medium 111 that is a package medium composed of a semiconductor memory, or the ROM 102 in which a program is temporarily or permanently stored, or a storage unit 108 It is comprised by the hard disk etc. which comprise. The program is stored in the program recording medium using a wired or wireless communication medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting via a communication unit 109 that is an interface such as a router or a modem as necessary. Done.

  In the present specification, the steps for describing a program are not only processes performed in time series in the order described, but also processes that are executed in parallel or individually even if they are not necessarily processed in time series. Is also included.

It is a figure which shows the structural example which concerns on one Embodiment of the television receiver to which this invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the signal control part of FIG. 1, a video signal processing part, and a signal synthetic | combination part. It is a figure which shows the example of the 2 screen display of a display. It is a figure which shows the example of 1 screen display of a display. It is a figure explaining the display state of a display. It is a figure explaining the other display state of a display. It is a figure explaining other display states of a display. It is a sequence diagram explaining the image quality switching process of the television receiver. And FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a personal computer.

Explanation of symbols

  1 television receiver, 24 signal control unit, 25-1, 25-2 video signal processing unit, 51-1, 51-2 signal processing control unit, 52-1, 52-2 image quality control unit, signal synthesis unit

Claims (7)

From the state in which a plurality of images have the same contents and are output with the same image quality, the transparency of the first image output on top of the plurality of images is gradually increased. First control means for raising and outputting to,
First image quality switching means for switching the image quality of the first image when the first image becomes an image having a predetermined transparency;
The first control means is further an image processing device for gradually lowering and outputting the transparency of the first video when the switching of the image quality of the first video by the first image quality switching means is completed. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first image quality switching unit switches the image quality of the first video when the transparency of the first video reaches a maximum. Second control means for outputting a second video on which the first video is superimposed;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second image quality switching unit that switches an image quality of the second video. The second image quality switching means switches the image quality of the second image to the first image whose image quality has been switched when the first image whose image quality has been switched becomes an image having no transparency. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein switching is performed so that the image quality is the same as the image quality of the video. From the state in which a plurality of images have the same contents and are output with the same image quality, the transparency of the first image output on top of the plurality of images is gradually increased. Output to
When the first video becomes a video having a predetermined transparency, the image quality of the first video is switched,
An image processing method including a step of gradually lowering the transparency of the first video when the switching of the image quality of the first video is finished. From the state in which a plurality of images have the same contents and are output with the same image quality, the transparency of the first image output on top of the plurality of images is gradually increased. Output to
When the first video becomes a video having a predetermined transparency, the image quality of the first video is switched,
A program for causing a computer to execute a process including a step of gradually lowering and outputting the transparency of the first video when switching of the image quality of the first video is finished. From the state in which a plurality of images have the same contents and are output with the same image quality, the transparency of the first image output on top of the plurality of images is gradually increased. Control means for raising the output to
Image quality switching means for switching the image quality of the first video when the first video becomes a video having a predetermined transparency;
The control means further outputs the first video by gradually decreasing the transparency of the first video when the picture quality switching of the first video by the image quality switching means is finished.

Images