JP2001359121A - Stereoscopic display method and stereoscopic display system, and its operation method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a general-purpose stereoscopic display interface and its software for a computer system where many kinds and diversified video cards and monitors are functioned in various frequencies with various resolutions. SOLUTION: The method that employs a computer system provided with a monitor having a screen for stereoscopic display and for generating its stereoscopic display, includes a step (A) where vertical synchronizing pulses are used and video signal data by one image pattern displayed on the monitor and transmitted between the vertical synchronizing pulses are generated, a step (B) where the number of horizontal scanning lines between the vertical synchronizing pulses is obtained, and a step (C) where the vertical synchronizing pulse is inserted to the video signal data when a half of the horizontal scanning lines is transmitted, and the video signal data by a half screen image generated by the steps (A) through (C) are given to the monitor, on the entire screen of which the video signal data are displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for interfacing a video and computer system with a stereoscopic device such as electronic shutter glasses.
And a stereoscopic display system and an operation method thereof.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Stereoscopic imaging of television screens and video monitors is performed by presenting different images to each observer's eye. When an image intended for the left eye (left image) is presented, the view of the right eye is obstructed. When an image intended for the right eye (right image) is presented, the view of the left eye is obstructed. Left and right images, which may be the same except for their horizontal parallax, are presented alternately and the eyes are blocked accordingly. If the presentation of the images occurs at a sufficiently high frequency, the observer will see a stereoscopic image without flicker.

[0003] Many 3D products rely on electro-optical shutter devices to implement the visual obstruction required for stereoscopic viewing. These devices are typically worn on the viewer's head, such as a pair of glasses or goggles. Like liquid crystal displays, shutter devices are usually
A liquid crystal fluid is sandwiched between flat glass electrodes and has a lens with a linear polarizer attached to the outside of the glass (LCD). When a voltage is applied to the electrodes, the liquid crystal molecules rotate the plane of polarization, which allows the LCD to act as an optical shutter.

[0004] Shutter devices require an interface that allows the shutter device to operate a particular combination of software and hardware. Prior art LCD interfaces have limited compatibility with current computer hardware and software, are bulky and costly to manufacture. In addition, they work only with certain types of computers, video cards or monitors, and only with limited frequency and resolution. Also, they typically do not work well for high resolution images, games, video streams, and the Internet. In addition, they utilize schemes such as interlacing, horizontal imaging, or frame sequential coding that degrade the image, limit resolution and frequency, and are incompatible with many types of hardware and software. . Finally,
They usually work well only for certain types of LCDs. A typical example of such a device is J
U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,286 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,0 by Stephens.
No. 33.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a general object of the present invention to address the above problems and to provide a general purpose stereo for a computer system that functions at a wide variety of frequencies and resolutions for a wide variety of video cards and monitors. It is to provide a display interface and software.

Another object of the present invention is to enable "pass-through" so that other peripherals can utilize the same port without having to disconnect the interface.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an interface that is small and easy to install and access.

Yet another object of the present invention is to enable the use of an interface for a wide variety of LCDs at various frequencies without compromising image quality.

[0009] Another object is to control the LCD glasses so that if the user generally wants to do so, the LC
The purpose is to make the D glasses automatically transparent.

[0010] Another object is to provide a reliable means of synchronizing the image displayed with the LCD glasses.

[0011] These and other objects of the present invention can be understood by reference to the other parts of the specification, the claims and the abstract.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for generating a three-dimensional display, a three-dimensional display system, and a method of operating the same. For generating a stereoscopic display using a computer system having a monitor provided with a screen for performing the following: (A) comprising a vertical synchronization pulse, wherein data transmitted between the vertical synchronization pulses is transmitted to the monitor. Generating a video signal, which is video data for one screen displayed on the screen, (B) determining the number of horizontal scanning lines between the vertical synchronization pulses, and (C) transmitting half of the horizontal scanning lines. Then, a step of inserting a vertical synchronization pulse into the video signal is included, and a half screen image generated by each of the steps (A) to (C) is included. Deo signal is achieved by being displayed on the entire screen of the monitor. Further, each half screen of video data includes a screen image, and the screen image is displayed at a predetermined ratio when the half screen of video data is displayed on the entire screen of the monitor. It is more effectively achieved by being formatted to appear.

Alternatively, there is provided a method for generating a stereoscopic display, wherein (A) transmitting two vertical sync pulses, and (B) first and second intervals between the two vertical sync pulses.
Are sequentially transmitted, and (C) a step of inserting a third vertical synchronization pulse after the transmission of the first screen image is achieved. Further, the two screen images are a stereo pair; the first and second screen images include a horizontal scanning line; and further, the horizontal scanning lines are counted to calculate the first screen image. This is more effectively achieved by including the step of determining the end and the start of the second screen image.

Alternatively, a computer having a monitor
A method for generating a stereoscopic display by a system,
(A) generating a video signal comprising at least one vertical sync pulse that indicates to the monitor the beginning of an image having a plurality of horizontal scan lines to be displayed on the monitor; and (B) generating a video signal within the image. And (C) inserting a second vertical synchronization pulse into the video signal when half of the horizontal scanning lines are generated. Further, the video signal includes data relating to two screen images after the vertical sync pulse, and the screen image is divided by the second vertical sync pulse;・
The screen image is formatted to appear in a standard proportion when displayed on a screen;
Respectively, is more effectively achieved.

[0015] The invention of the stereoscopic display system is a system for displaying a stereoscopic image,
(A) a computer for generating a video signal;
(B) a monitor for displaying a three-dimensional image, and (C)
A transmitting device for transmitting the video signal from the computer to the monitor, and (D) an interface device for inserting a vertical synchronization pulse into the video signal, the interface device being connected to the transmitting device. Achieved by Further, the interface device includes a control circuit for controlling a shutter device; the interface device inserts a vertical synchronization pulse between screen images transmitted by the video signal. A communication device that is connected to the computer and the interface device, transmits a start signal from the computer to the interface device, and activates the interface device; Each is more effectively achieved by including a data port of the computer for transmitting data to the device.

According to the invention of a method for operating a three-dimensional display system, the present invention relates to a method for operating a three-dimensional display system including a computer, an interface device, and a shutter device. Transmitting an activation signal; and (B) activating the interface device;
In operation, the interface device inspects a signal transmitted from the computer to detect a stereoscopic image when the stereoscopic image is displayed, and (C) when the stereoscopic image is displayed, And an interface device for driving the shutter device.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides for viewing real-time stereoscopic images on a wide variety of video cards and monitors in a standard computer and video system without being limited to a wide variety of frequencies and resolutions. According to the present invention, LCD shutter glasses and the like, including hardware and software for connecting a computer and a video system to enable stereoscopic display, and the computer and the video It provides "devices" for interfacing the system. Further, a "stereoscopic display generation method", a "stereoscopic display system", and an "operation method of a stereoscopic display system" that enable stereoscopic display are provided.

According to the present invention, there is provided, in accordance with the foregoing objects, a computer program associated with firmware of an interface.
An interface for synchronizing LDC glasses using electrical signals from the ports is provided. Means are also provided for automatically making the LCD glasses transparent when the 3D image is not being displayed. The foregoing has been a general description, and in the following, further features which form the subject of the dependent claims will be described. One preferred embodiment of the invention is presented in detail, but of course,
The invention is not limited to the details of construction and the arrangement of components that will be elucidated in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it should be understood that the expressions and terms used herein are for explanation and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

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

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention for use in any personal computer. The device shown in FIG. 1 is an interface device for stereoscopic display in a personal computer, and shows an example of a circuit configuration of a synchronous pulse inserter according to detection of a video signal.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram showing the use of the interface device 1004 of the present invention. When properly applied, the interface device 1004 inserts the special synchronization pulse shown in FIG. 2 for the so-called "above / below" or "over / under" method of stereoscopic computer graphics. A PC (personal computer) or similar device (hereinafter referred to as PC) 1001
3 is connected to the interface device 1004. The interface device 1004 of the present invention is connected to the monitor 1007 by a video connection 1005. The video connection 1006 allows the output of the LCD shutter glasses to be increased by one or more
8 is connected.

The "over / under" method captures left eye image information and pushes it into the upper half of a single video frame. Right eye image information is pushed into the lower half.
This allows accurate adjustment of LCD glasses to the proper image, especially in the absence of even / odd field information not present in standard computer video signals.

Overall Mode of Operation: At power up, the device counts the number of horizontal scan lines until it receives a vertical sync pulse. This gives a rough resolution of a given system, which can vary considerably.

Typical values encountered are: 640 (H) × 4
80 (V), 800 (H) x 600 (V), 1024
(H) x 768 (V). Other resolutions are possible.

When the actual number of horizontal lines is set by adjusting the horizontal sync count during the front porch time, the device continues to count horizontal lines until a count of 50% of the total line count is reached. I do.

At this point, when the interface device 1004 detects a valid STEREO ON signal in the video signal included in the video connection 1003,
Generate a "special" vertical sync pulse 1009 and insert this pulse into the normal vertical sync pulse stream. When video monitor 1007 receives the "pseudo" sync pulse, it assumes that it is the end of a full video frame and fills the entire screen with the image that was pushed into the upper half of the screen. . This process is repeated for the lower half of the screen. The end result is now,
The monitor displays at twice its normal vertical playback rate, and the flicker of LCD glasses is significantly reduced compared to previous schemes using alternating frame or "page flipping" techniques, and is almost completely eliminated. In the case of, it is removed.

The LCD glasses 1008 are driven in synchronization with the monitor 1007 so that one of the eyes is dark and the other is transparent. The transparent eye is configured to ensure that one sees the intended image, either above or below. In this scheme, another advantage of the present invention over previous schemes is to start synchronization randomly,
Pseudo-stereoscopic vision, also known as tentative stereoscopic vision, which shows an advantage over the prior art, is not possible. If during the intended stereoscopic display, the inserted sync pulse has to be removed, the user will have two independent images divided horizontally, one for the upper half of the screen and one for the lower half of the screen. You will see an image of One of these two images has a left-eye view and the other has a right-eye view. The assignment of the upper half of the screen to the left or right eye is arbitrary. In the present invention, the upper half of the screen is used for the left eye view, but in this case, the reverse is also true.

One of the objects of the present invention is to instruct the interface device 1004 to enter and exit the stereoscopic mode without any other connection, switch or user invention. (The insertion of the synchronization pulse and the non-insertion of the synchronization pulse, respectively). Another object is to enable a diagnostic mode that allows a user to estimate the vertical playback rate of a computer system. This objective has been achieved by utilizing the following scheme.

To instruct the interface device 1004 to initiate a stereoscopic operation, the video connection 10
03, a special video signal is sent out. Thus, the operation becomes automatic and is completely under the control of the program executed by the PC 1001. This is an advance over the prior art. The program executed by the PC 1001 can enter and exit the stereoscopic operation without user intervention. If stereoscopic mode is desired, the LCD glasses will alternate as described above and, when another special video signal is sent out, the LCD glasses will be transparent to both eyes so that the user can remove the LCD glasses without having to remove them. It is possible to continue using a normal computer. When another special video signal is sent out, the LCD glasses will immediately provide diagnostic information about the system. It is another object of the present invention to provide a full profile for the average user so that if the computer system is stopped or damaged, the user will not get stuck in stereoscopic mode. This is described as an alternative EXIT code.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a full proof for the average user so that the user does not get stuck in the stereoscopic mode when exiting the running stereoscopic program early or unexpectedly. It is to be. This is also described in the EXIT code as another alternative exit method.

A particular series of alternating black and white scan line pairs that form a unique signature have been devised to be irregular for normal video. This is the special video signal described above.

In the case of this embodiment, at the start of the program executed by the PC 1001, the following pattern is sent out: To enter the stereoscopic mode, the following is sent out (“STEREOON”): Z2 Z2_count z2_duration To exit from the mode (all three methods are always running): Method # 1 WB WB_height WB_duration Method # 2 Change the polarity of the vertical sync pulse (like a mode change) Method 3 125 mm Hold the vertical sync pulse high or low for seconds. (This is typical in a reboot sequence) To run the diagnostic mode on the LCD glasses: Z3 Z3_count Z3_duration The diagnostic information indicates the vertical frequency diagnostic processing range: (When worn on the head, the LCD glasses <= 62Hz Z3_duration darkens left eye <= 62Hz Z3_duration darkens right eye> = 76Hz Z3_duration darkens both eyes where the following definitions are used: Z2 1] white and black , Starting from the top of the screen, ie, what wht blk bl
k wht wht blk blk. In the above example, Z2
The _count value becomes 2 (two pairs). 2] min Z2_count to enter stereoscopic mode
= 12 (12 to 16 are recommended values, 10 is an absolute minimum value) 3] max Z2_count to enter the stereoscopic mode
= (Screen_lines-WB) / 8 Z2_duration 1] Minimum value is 160 milliseconds 2] Recommended value is 250 milliseconds 3] There is no maximum value that will not be unsightly. WB 1] White balance at the center of the screen 2] Screen_lines at the center of the screen 5%
3] Video should normally not be below and for the scan line after the inserted sync pulse. WB_duration 1] Same as Z2_duration, no maximum 2) If the video mode is to change when exiting stereo mode, WB_duration before changing the video mode
Similar to Z2 except that the minimum value of duration must expire Z3 1] is a triad of scan lines in pairs, ie, what what wht bl
k blk blk wht wht whtblk
blk blk In the above example, the Z3_count value becomes 2 (two pairs of three). Z3_count 1] minZ3_count is the same as minZ2_count 2] maxZ3_count = (screen_lin
es-WB) / 12. Z3_duration 1] Set to selected value, recommended value is 1/4 to 1/2 second. Lens will remain dark for the duration of Z3.

The individual items of the above scheme, such as the timing and number of white / black scan line pairs, can be significantly modified, as long as the program executed in 10001 and the program resident in interface device 1004 can be reconciled. It is possible to achieve the same effect.

FIG. 1 shows U1, a PIC16C621 microcontroller. PIC16
C621 and PIC16C622 are also suitable. This device has a small amount of RAM, RO, among other resources.
M, digital I / O, analog reference voltage source, and analog comparator. The program that U1 executes resides in U1's own ROM section.

A VGA or extended VGA computer video signal enters interface device 1004 from J2 via video connection 1003. All operable signals, except for the vertical sync line at pin 14 of J2,
Passed unmodified. The program residing in U1
The horizontal pulse passing through the input at pin 6 is counted.
If the total count is accumulated between the vertical pulse also monitored at pin 12, then it will be approximately 2-5
The adjustment is made in consideration of the front porch period corresponding to the pulse. After this adjustment, the accumulated count is divided by two. A valid STERR contained in the video signal described above
Upon receiving the O ON signal, the program residing on U1 inserts a new sync pulse of duration equal to the input sync pulse. Insertion is performed at the half count point described above. The combination of the input sync pulse and the new sync pulse is implemented by EXOR gate U2. This circuit has the advantage of preserving the polarity of the input signal. If the incoming vertical sync pulse stream goes negative, this indicates that the signal is nearly high and will be low during the active pulse time. An EXOR gate with one input high will act as an inverter when using another input. Under these conditions, if the insertion pulse always goes positive, the insertion pulse will be inverted and therefore in phase with the input stream.
If the input sync pulse goes positive, the EXOR gate passes the insert pulse in a non-inverted state.

The valid STEREO ON signal hardware consists of resistors R1, R2, R3, R7, R8, R9 and a comparator section of U1.
The RGB components of the VGA signal are divided into resistors R2, R7, R8,
Averaged by R9, these form a node labeled RGB. If white is present, the voltage average of the R, G, and B components will be at its maximum. 0.45
If a voltage above V and up to 0.60 V is present at 1500, this has been found to satisfy the criterion that the object is white. Black corresponds to less than this value. The above method was used because it was found that some monitors have a characteristic of "pulling up" the predicted black value of 0V.

U1 has an analog comparator as one of its internal resources. This comparator
The voltage at the point labeled RGB and about 0.5
It is used to compare C1 with the magnitude of V to the indicated reference voltage. If the comparator output in U1 is high, the RGB voltage is considered "white"; if it is low, it is considered "black". The comparator output, not shown in this schematic diagram, is checked under the control of an executing program.

The operational amplifier sections U2A, B, C
From the 5V level of U1 to 10 necessary for LCD shutter glasses
It is used to provide both logic level translation to ２０20V voltage levels and drive with more current than EXOR gates commonly found in this type of output. To reduce the number of components, the analog voltage reference is set by U1's resident program to approximately 1 volt output from U1 pin 1. This is used as a switch point reference for the logic level translation phase of output stage U2.

To generate the waveform shown at 1602, a state table is used to provide the logic needed to assert U1 pins 8, 10, and 11. These waveforms are one way to provide 0V average DC across the LCD. The three pins 8, 10, 11 of U1 are used as outputs for this and are controlled by a resident program.

In general, LCD glasses require 10-20 volts to completely darken, and the driving voltage is 0 VCD long-term average to avoid long-term damage to the LCD.
Must. The long-term average of 0VDC is 1602
Means can be satisfied.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a variation of the interface device shown in FIG. This interface device is almost the same but a wireless version. That is, the LCD glasses are not connected to the interface device 1004 of FIG.

The output from U1 pin 10 (or, optionally, pin 11) generally provides power and LEFT / RIGHT logic signals to an external transmitter conveniently located above the monitor. Sent to Jack. The programs residing in U1 differ slightly with respect to the output requirements presented here.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system using the interface device shown in FIG. Transmitting device 2030 is connected to interface device 2004 instead of the LCD glasses shown in FIG. The transmitting device 2030 both transmits IR (infrared) light that forms a burst modulated at 40 KHz and a synchronous Left / Right signal from the interface device 2004. LCD glasses 2031 and infrared receiver 2032
Form a wireless device that integrates LCD glasses and an infrared receiver together.

FIG. 5 shows the interface device 2 of FIG.
A schematic diagram of a transmitter 2030 used by 004 is shown.

The range from 32 KHz to 40 KHz is a range often used as a modulation frequency for infrared remote control. This modulation provides better selectivity in the detection of the IR signal, thus reducing possible interference.
The rest of the circuit consists of U1 and its components C2,
It is composed of a 32 to 40 KHz oscillator formed by TR1 and R2. This oscillator drives Q1, the switch located at the top of the IR emitter chain. If Q1 and Q2 are both on, IR LE
D turns on. This results in a 32-40 KHz IR burst corresponding to the right eye field or frame. The left eye is assumed to be during off-time. In the absence of a signal, the receiver either continuously shuts off the left eye, or after a period of inactivity, turns both eyes clear by turning off. The terms left and right as used in this paragraph can be reversed if the appropriate signal at interface device 2004 is used.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a standard computer or video system, in real time, without being limited by the frequency and resolution of various video cards and monitors. It becomes possible to see a stereoscopic image. Further, the present invention has various important features and advantages, such as: For example, the present invention interfaces many types of LCD shutter glasses at various frequencies and resolutions,
Reprogramming can easily be performed for others. The present invention is compact, inexpensive, and easy to install and use. In the present invention, 3D and right / left image polarities are maintained by various hardware and software.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to drive a wired or wireless device by inserting a synchronization signal into a video signal and / or detecting a synchronization signal in the video signal. The invention can be implemented on a wide variety of computer and video systems and includes:
It can be transparent to hardware and software. Clearly, a new and improved stereoscopic interface has been devised. While only certain embodiments have been described in detail, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention as set forth in the dependent claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a device known as a "dongle", which is a synchronous pulse inserter responsive to the detection of a video signal for stereoscopic display on a personal computer.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system using the apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for a derivative version of FIG. 1, which is a wireless version.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system using the device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a transmitter for the device of FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1001 Personal computer 1003 Video connection 1004 Interface device 1005 Video connection 1006 Video connection 1007 Video monitor 1008 LCD shutter glasses 2004 Interface device 2030 Transmitting device 2031 LCD glasses 2032 Infrared receiver U1 Microcontroller U2 EXOR gate

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Dennis Sapteri United States 94110 San Francisco, California 21st Street 2851 F-term (reference) 5C020 AA01 AA35 CA13 CA20 5C061 AA02 AA03 AA14 AB12 AB20

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A method for generating a stereoscopic display using a computer system having a monitor provided with a screen for performing stereoscopic display, comprising: (A) providing a vertical synchronization pulse; (B) generating a video signal, wherein data transmitted between the video signals is video data for one screen displayed on the monitor; and (B) determining the number of horizontal scanning lines between the vertical synchronization pulses. And C) inserting a vertical synchronization pulse into the video signal when half of the horizontal scanning lines are transmitted, and for the half screen generated by each of the steps (A) to (C). Wherein the video signal is displayed on the entire screen of the monitor. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein each half screen of video data comprises a screen image, and
The method according to claim 1, wherein the screen image is formatted so that the screen image appears at a predetermined ratio when data is displayed on the entire screen of the monitor. 3. A method for generating a stereoscopic display, comprising: (A) transmitting two vertical synchronization pulses; and (B) displaying first and second screen images between the two vertical synchronization pulses. The stereoscopic display generation method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: sequentially transmitting; and (C) inserting a third vertical synchronization pulse after transmitting the first screen image. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the two screen images are a stereo pair. 5. The method according to claim 5, wherein the first and second screen images include horizontal scanning lines, and further, the horizontal scanning lines are counted to determine the end of the first screen image and the second screen image. The method according to claim 3, further comprising a step of determining a start point. 6. A method for generating a stereoscopic display by a computer system having a monitor, the method comprising: (A) at least instructing the monitor of a start point of an image having a plurality of horizontal scanning lines to be displayed on the monitor. Generating a video signal with one vertical sync pulse; (B) determining the number of horizontal scan lines in the image; and (C) generating a second vertical line when half of the horizontal scan lines are generated. Inserting a synchronization pulse into the video signal. 7. The video signal according to claim 6, wherein the video signal includes data regarding two screen images after the vertical synchronization pulse, and the screen image is divided by the second vertical synchronization pulse. 3. The stereoscopic display generation method according to 1. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the screen image is formatted so that it appears in a standard ratio when displayed on the entire video screen of the monitor. 3D display generation method. 9. A system for displaying a three-dimensional image, comprising: (A) a computer for generating a video signal; (B) a monitor for displaying a three-dimensional image; A transmitting device for transmitting the video signal to a monitor; and (D) an interface device for inserting a vertical synchronization pulse into the video signal, the interface device being connected to the transmitting device. 3D display system. 10. The stereoscopic display system according to claim 9, wherein the interface device includes a control circuit for controlling a shutter device. 11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the interface device inserts a vertical synchronization pulse between screen images transmitted by the video signal.
3D display system. 12. A communication device connected to the computer and the interface device, transmitting a start signal from the computer to the interface device, and activating the interface device. Item 10. A stereoscopic display system according to item 9. 13. The stereoscopic display system according to claim 12, wherein the communication device includes a data port of the computer for transmitting data to a peripheral device. 14. A method for operating a stereoscopic display system including a computer, an interface device, and a shutter device, comprising: (A) transmitting an activation signal from the computer to the interface device; Activating the interface device, and when activated, the interface device inspects a signal transmitted from the computer to detect a stereoscopic image, if displayed, to display the stereoscopic image; Actuating the shutter device when the image is displayed.