JP2007272200A - Image display apparatus and image display method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly display a moving image without the need for a special buffer memory, an interpolating circuit, and interpolation processing for image conversion in a display. <P>SOLUTION: When a CPU 7 in the liquid crystal display 2 determines that recommended high refresh timing image data 13 has been received, a determination switch 6 and an output switch 9 switch and connect their movable contacts (a) to fixed contacts (b) under the control of the CPU 7. The output switch 9 thereby passes the high refresh timing image data 14 as they do not scale the frequency and resolution by an image conversion unit 8 and supplies the data to an LCD driver 10. The LCD driver 10 supplies a high refresh timing image drive signal 15 to an LCD panel 11, so that an image appears on the LCD panel 11 as it is in the high refresh timing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display apparatus and an image display method for displaying an image based on image data supplied from an image supply source, for example.

  There is a standard called DDC (Display Data Channel) as a standard that should be called plug and play for video display devices. The DDC exchanges information on the attributes (optimum resolution, etc.) of the video display device between the host (device that outputs the video signal) and the video display device, and the host side sets the settings according to the attributes of the video display device. It can be done automatically.

  In the DDC, attribute information of the video display device is exchanged in the form of formatted data called EDID (Extended Display Identification Data). Even when the power of the video display device is not turned on, it is possible to supply power to the video display device from the host side and transmit this EDID data from the video display device to the host. Therefore, in the video display device, EDID data is stored in a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM so that the EDID data is not lost even when the power is not turned on.

  Previously, the only video output device that supported DDC was a computer. There are various types of RGB signal resolution output by a computer, such as VGA (640 × 480), SVGA (800 × 600), XGA (1280 × 768), SXGA (1280 × 1024), and QXGA (2048 × 1536). Therefore, in a conventional video display device compatible with DDC, for example, EDID data for RGB signals having a recommended content of “SVGA is optimal” is stored in the nonvolatile memory.

Furthermore, an image supplied from a personal computer is displayed on a display unit, and a transmission method and image attributes (resolution, frame rate, etc.) of image data input by format conversion processing are detected, and an image is detected according to the detection result. There has been proposed a display system that processes data and retransmits EDID data to a personal computer when the detected transmission method and image attribute are not appropriate (see, for example, paragraph [0041] of FIG. 1 and FIG. 1). .)
JP 2001-265313 A

  Using the frame conversion process described in Patent Document 1 described above, image data input from a personal computer is converted into image data having a high refresh rate higher than 60 [Hz], which is a normal frame rate, in the display. It is conceivable to improve motion blur by outputting to the LCD panel of the display unit.

  However, in order to realize processing for converting image data input from a personal computer into a high refresh rate image signal by frame conversion processing in the display, buffer memory or input image data data is stored in the display. An interpolation circuit that generates an interpolation frame by using it is necessary, which increases the cost.

  Also, in the frame conversion process in the display, the image data of the frames before and after the input image data is held, and the data to be displayed is calculated by inserting the interpolated frame image data between the frames of the image data. There must be. For this reason, a delay occurs due to the calculation process from the input of image data to the output in the display.

  For example, in the case of image data output from a personal computer by an application program such as a game with an interactive operation, it occurs between the input operation by the user for the image output from the personal computer and the movement of the image displayed on the display. There is a problem that the shift becomes a problem and the image cannot be comfortably used in the game.

  Therefore, the present invention does not require a special buffer memory, an interpolation circuit, or an interpolation process for image conversion in the display, can smoothly display a moving image, and can output an image output from a personal computer. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image display device and an image display method that do not cause a deviation from the movement of an image displayed on a display.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object of the present invention, an image display apparatus of the present invention includes storage means for storing at least timing data for displaying an image supplied from an image supply source at a predetermined timing, and an image supply source Determining means for determining whether the image supplied from the image data is based on the timing data, and when the determining means determines that the image supplied from the image supply source is based on the timing data, the display by the image conversion means Switching means for switching the output path and supplying the image supplied from the image supply source as it is to the display means without performing conversion processing on the image corresponding to the means.

  As a result, the storage means stores at least timing data for displaying an image supplied from the image supply source at a predetermined timing, and is the determination means based on the timing data requested by the image supplied from the image supply source? Determine whether or not.

  When it is determined by the determination means that the image supplied from the image supply source is based on the requested timing data, the switching means outputs the image corresponding to the display means by the image conversion means without performing conversion processing. The path is switched and the image supplied from the image supply source is supplied as it is to the display means.

  Therefore, the timing data stored in the storage means is the highest high refresh rate timing data for displaying the image corresponding to the display means, and the image supply source is made to output the high refresh rate timing. When the timing data is for plug and play, the image display device is electrically connected to the image supply source by a cable, so that the high refresh rate timing data is supplied to the image supply source.

  At this time, a special buffer memory or interpolation circuit is provided on the image display device side by outputting the high refresh rate image supplied from the image supply source to the display means without performing conversion processing. The moving image blur does not occur by displaying a high refresh rate image on the display means without necessity.

  The image display method of the present invention includes a step of recognizing the display unit by the image supply source, and a predetermined timing for requesting an image supplied from the image supply source stored in the memory of the display unit. A step of reading timing data to be displayed; a step of outputting an image at a predetermined timing requested by the image supply source to the display unit; and a step of determining whether or not the image supplied from the image supply source is based on the timing data When the image supplied from the image supply source is determined to be based on the timing data, the output path is switched from the image supply source without performing the conversion process on the image corresponding to the display unit by the image conversion process. And supplying the supplied image to the display unit as it is.

  Thereby, first, the image supply source recognizes the display unit, the image supply source is stored in the memory of the display unit, and the timing data to be displayed at a predetermined timing for requesting the image supplied from the image supply source is read. The image at the predetermined timing requested by the image supply source is output to the display unit.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the image supplied from the image supply source is based on the requested timing data. When it is determined that the image supplied from the image supply source is based on the requested timing data, the output path is switched from the image supply source without performing conversion processing on the image corresponding to the display unit by the image conversion processing. The supplied image is supplied to the display unit as it is.

  Accordingly, when the timing data stored in the memory of the display unit is the highest high refresh rate timing data for displaying an image corresponding to the display unit, the high refresh rate timing data is supplied to the image supply source. .

  At this time, the high refresh rate image output from the image supply source is output as it is to the display unit without being subjected to conversion processing, so that the display unit can perform high refresh without requiring any special calculation processing. Moving image blur can be improved by displaying rate images.

  According to the present invention, there is no need for a buffer memory or an interpolation circuit on the image display device side, so that an effect of realizing a display with improved moving image blur due to a high fresh rate can be realized without cost.

In addition, since the image display device side does not require calculation processing for data interpolation in the buffer memory, the time until image output can be shortened.
Further, by sending the timing data of the image to be displayed and output from the image display device to the image supply source, the image at the timing rate is automatically output from the image supply source. No memory or interpolation circuit is required.

Hereinafter, an example in which the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a liquid crystal display will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a connection state between a liquid crystal display 2 to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied and a personal computer 1 as an image supply source. The liquid crystal display 2 corresponds to DVI (Digital Visual Interface), which is a standard for digital transmission of video signals.

The personal computer 1 is also compatible with DVI. The liquid crystal display 2 and the computer 1 are connected by connecting the DVI connector of the liquid crystal display 2 to the DVI connector (not shown) of the computer 1 with the DVI cable 3.
In DVI, it is essential to adopt DDC, and the DVI connector is also provided with a DDC terminal for transmitting and receiving EDID data.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a part related to the embodiment of the present invention in the circuit in the liquid crystal display 2. In the liquid crystal display 2, an EDID memory 4 that is an EDID-compatible EEPROM is provided as an EDID-compatible nonvolatile memory. The EDID memory 4 stores in advance timing data for displaying an image supplied from the computer 1 serving as an image supply source at a predetermined timing in the manufacturing stage.

  For example, for the EDID memory 4, as the high refresh timing data 12 for requesting a high refresh for the LCD panel 11, a resolution (1280 × 1024) and a high refresh rate frequency (100 Hz) higher than a normal refresh rate frequency (60 Hz) are recommended. Write as timing. In addition to this, the timing data includes blanking data such as a sync width, a front porch, and a back porch.

  Thereby, for example, the personal computer 1 which is an image supply source connected to the liquid crystal display 2 reads the high refresh timing data 12 (resolution (1280 × 1024), high refresh rate frequency (100 Hz)), and the high refresh timing data 12 The high-refresh timing image data 13 (resolution (1280 × 1024), high-refresh rate frequency (100 Hz)) specified in (1) is output.

  The scaler 5 that converts the frequency and resolution of the image data in the liquid crystal display 2 by the image conversion unit 8 is provided with a discrimination switch 6 and an output switch 9. The discrimination switch 6 and the output switch 9 are for switching the movable contact a to either the fixed contact b or the fixed contact c under the control of the CPU 7.

  When the CPU 7 of the liquid crystal display 2 determines that the recommended high refresh timing image data 13 (resolution (1280 × 1024), high refresh rate frequency (100 Hz)) has been received, the determination switch 6 and the output switch 9 are respectively movable contacts. a is switched and connected to the fixed contact b under the control of the CPU 7.

  Thus, the output switch 9 passes the high refresh timing image data 14 (resolution (1280 × 1024), high refresh rate frequency (100 Hz)) as it is without scaling the frequency and resolution by the image conversion unit 8, and the LCD driver 10. To supply.

  The LCD driver 10 supplies the high refresh timing image drive signal 15 (resolution (1280 × 1024), high refresh rate frequency (100 Hz)) to the LCD panel 11 so that the image is output to the LCD panel 11 at the high refresh timing as it is. . At this time, since the refresh rate is higher than normal, interpolation is not performed and blur due to moving images does not occur.

  On the other hand, when the image data specified by the high refresh timing data 12 read by the personal computer 1 is not supported, normal fresh timing data is output. When the CPU 7 of the liquid crystal display 2 determines that it has received normal refresh timing image data (resolution (1024 × 768), normal refresh rate frequency (60 Hz)) that is not recommended, the discrimination switch 6 and the output switch 9 each have a movable contact a. Under the control of the CPU 7, the fixed contact c is switched and connected.

  As a result, the output switch 9 scales the frequency and resolution by the image conversion unit 8 and then sends the refresh timing image data (resolution (1280 × 1024), normal refresh rate frequency (60 Hz)) suitable for the liquid crystal display 2 to the LCD driver 10. To supply.

  The LCD driver 10 supplies the refresh timing image drive signal 15 (resolution (1280 × 1024), normal refresh rate frequency (60 Hz)) to the LCD panel 11 so that the image is displayed on the LCD panel 11 at the refresh timing.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of another liquid crystal display.
The liquid crystal display 2 shown in FIG. 2 shows an example in which the determination switch 6 and the output switch 9 for switching the output path of the image data and the CPU 7 for controlling the output path of the image data are provided in the scaler 5. The other liquid crystal display shown in FIG. 3 shows an example in which an output switch 24 and a discrimination circuit 25 for controlling the output path of image data are provided outside the scaler 21. Also in this case, as in FIG. 2, the EDID memory 4 is provided in the liquid crystal display, and the same operation as in FIG. 2 is performed as a premise.

  In FIG. 3, when it is determined that the discrimination circuit 25 of the other liquid crystal display has received the recommended high refresh timing image data 13 (resolution (1280 × 1024), high refresh rate frequency (100 Hz)) described above, the output switch 24 is The movable contact a is switched and connected to the fixed contact c under the control of the discrimination circuit 25.

  As a result, the output switch 24 does not scale the frequency and resolution by the scaler 21, and converts it to digital image data by the A / D converter 22 when inputting an analog image signal, and adapts it to the LCD driver 10 by the interface conversion unit 23. By simply converting the digital image data to parallel output, the high refresh timing image data (resolution (1280 × 1024), high refresh rate frequency (100 Hz)) is passed as it is and supplied to the LCD driver 10.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the discriminating circuit 25 of the other liquid crystal display has received the refresh timing image data (resolution (1024 × 768), refresh rate frequency (60 Hz)) that is not recommended, the output switch 24 sets the movable contact a, Under the control of the discrimination circuit 25, the fixed contact b is switched and connected.

  As a result, the output switch 24 scales the frequency and resolution by the scaler 21 and then supplies the LCD driver 10 with refresh timing image data (resolution (1280 × 1024), normal refresh rate frequency (60 Hz)) suitable for the liquid crystal display. .

  FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are flowcharts showing processing executed mainly by the CPU 7 to enable display of recommended high refresh timing image data by exchanging EDID data between the liquid crystal display 2 and the personal computer 1. is there. In this process, first, the CPU 7 determines whether or not the personal computer 1 is powered on (step S1).

  When the personal computer 1 is powered on in the determination step S1, the CPU 7 determines whether or not the liquid crystal display 2 is recognized by the personal computer 1 (step S2). If the personal computer 1 is not powered on in the determination step S1 and if the liquid crystal display 2 is not recognized by the personal computer 1 in step S2, this process is terminated.

  Subsequently, when the liquid crystal display 2 is recognized by the personal computer 1 in step S <b> 2, the personal computer 1 reads information including the recommended high refresh timing stored in the EDID memory 4 in the liquid crystal display 2. (Step S3). At this time, the CPU 7 recognizes that the information including the recommended high refresh timing has been read in step S3.

  Next, the personal computer 1 outputs the requested image data to the liquid crystal display 2 at the recommended high refresh timing (step S4).

  Then, the CPU 7 determines whether image data has been input to the liquid crystal display 2 (step S5). When the image data is input in the determination step S5, the CPU 7 performs a process of determining the input timing of the image data (step S6).

  Here, the CPU 7 determines whether or not the input timing of the image data is a recommended high refresh timing (step S7). When it is the recommended high refresh timing in the determination step S7, the CPU 7 passes the high refresh timing image data 14 (resolution (1280 × 1024), high refresh rate frequency (100 Hz)) without scaling the frequency and resolution by the scaler. And output to the LCD driver 10 (step S8).

The LCD driver 10 outputs the high refresh timing image drive signal 15 (resolution (1280 × 1024), high refresh rate frequency (100 Hz)) to the LCD panel 11 (step S9).
Thereby, the LCD panel 11 displays the image data at the recommended high refresh timing (step S9).

  On the other hand, when it is not the recommended high refresh timing in the determination step S7, the CPU 7 scales the frequency and resolution by the scaler, and refresh timing image data suitable for the liquid crystal display (resolution (1280 × 1024), normal refresh rate frequency (60 Hz)). Is output to the LCD driver 10 (step S11).

The LCD driver 10 outputs the refresh timing image drive signal 15 (resolution (1280 × 1024), refresh rate frequency (60 Hz)) to the LCD panel 11 (step S12).
Thereby, the LCD panel 11 displays the image data at this refresh timing (step S13).

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the liquid crystal display 2 and the personal computer 1 are connected by the cable 3 is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the LCD panel 32 is integrated with the personal computer 31 as shown in FIG. It can also be applied when

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an LCD panel integrated personal computer to which another embodiment is applied. In FIG. 6, a personal computer 31 has a main body 33 as an image supply source and an LCD panel 32, and the LCD panel 32 is provided with a refresh timing storage memory 34 that stores recommended refresh timings.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the refresh timing generation system of the LCD panel integrated personal computer. In FIG. 7, in the refresh timing generation system, the recommended refresh timing stored in the refresh timing storage memory 34 is supplied to the high refresh timing selection display unit 41 when the high refresh timing is selected. The refresh timing generation system is provided on the LCD panel 32 side, for example.

  Then, a high refresh timing selection display signal is supplied from the high refresh timing selection display unit 41 to the high refresh timing image data generation unit 42. The high refresh timing image data generation unit 42 generates high refresh timing image data based on the high refresh timing selection display signal.

  High refresh timing image data is supplied from the high refresh timing image data generation unit 42 to the LCD driver 43. Thus, the high refresh timing image data drive signal is supplied from the LCD driver 43 to the LCD panel 32, and the high refresh timing image data is displayed on the LCD panel 32.

  On the other hand, when the normal refresh timing is selected, the normal refresh timing stored in the refresh timing storage memory 34 is supplied to the normal refresh timing selection display unit 44.

  Then, a normal refresh timing selection display signal is supplied from the normal refresh timing selection display unit 44 to the normal refresh timing image data generation unit 45. The normal refresh timing image data generation unit 45 generates normal refresh timing image data based on the normal refresh timing selection display signal.

  Normal refresh timing image data is supplied from the normal refresh timing image data generation unit 45 to the LCD driver 43. As a result, the normal refresh timing image data drive signal is supplied from the LCD driver 43 to the LCD panel 32, and the normal refresh timing image data is displayed on the LCD panel 32.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a menu screen for high refresh timing selection. In FIG. 10, the menu screen 51 is displayed on the LCD panel 32, and when the high refresh 53 icon is selected by an input operation using a mouse or the like in response to the menu display message of the refresh timing selection 52, the high refresh timing described above. When the normal refresh 54 icon is selected by an input operation using a mouse or the like, the above-described normal refresh timing is selected.

  FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are flowcharts showing processing executed mainly by a CPU (not shown) of the refresh timing generation system so that the recommended high refresh timing image data can be displayed by the LCD panel 32 and the main body 33. In this process, first, a CPU (not shown) of the refresh timing generation system determines whether or not the personal computer 31 is powered on (step S21).

  When the personal computer 31 is powered on in the determination step S21, the refresh timing generation CPU determines whether the LCD panel 32 is recognized by the main body 33 of the personal computer 31 (step S22). When the personal computer 31 is not turned on in the determination step S21, and when the LCD panel 32 is not recognized by the main body 33 of the personal computer 31 in the step S22, this process is terminated.

Subsequently, when the LCD panel 32 is recognized by the main body 33 of the personal computer 31 in step S22, the personal computer 31 displays the menu screen 51 on the LCD panel 32 (step S23).
The refresh timing generation CPU determines whether or not the high refresh timing is selected on the menu screen (step S24).

When the high refresh timing is selected in the determination step S24, the personal computer 31 reads information including the recommended high refresh timing stored in the refresh timing storage memory 34 in the LCD panel 32 (step S25).
Next, the personal computer 31 outputs the requested image data to the LCD panel 32 at the recommended high refresh timing (step S26).

On the other hand, when the normal refresh timing is selected in the determination step S24, the personal computer 31 reads information including the normal refresh timing stored in the refresh timing storage memory 34 in the LCD panel 32 (step S27).
Next, the personal computer 31 outputs the image data to the LCD panel 32 at the normal refresh timing (step S28).

  Then, the refresh timing generation CPU determines whether or not image data has been input to the LCD panel 32 (step S29). When image data is input in the determination step S29, the CPU of the refresh timing generation system performs a process of determining the refresh timing selected on the menu screen (step S30).

  Here, the CPU of the refresh timing generation system determines whether or not the refresh timing selected on the menu screen is a recommended high refresh timing (step S31). When it is the recommended high refresh timing in the determination step S31, the CPU of the refresh timing generation system outputs the high refresh timing image data generated by the high refresh timing image data generation unit 42 to the LCD driver 43 (step S32).

The LCD driver 43 outputs a high refresh timing image drive signal to the LCD panel 32 (step S33).
Thereby, the LCD panel 32 displays the image data at the recommended high refresh timing (step S9).

  On the other hand, when it is not the recommended high refresh timing in the determination step S31, the CPU of the refresh timing generation system outputs the normal refresh timing image data generated by the normal refresh timing image data generation unit 45 to the LCD driver 43 (step S35). .

The LCD driver 43 outputs a normal refresh timing image drive signal to the LCD panel 32 (step S36).
Thereby, the LCD panel 32 displays the image data at the normal refresh timing (step S37).

  In addition, the liquid crystal display according to this embodiment described above may be blurred by other moving images such as an overdrive circuit for quickly starting up the LCD panel and a blinking backlight that turns off the backlight of the LCD panel during the refresh. Further effects can be obtained by using in combination with the improvement function.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and it is needless to say that various other configurations can be taken without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the mode of the connection of the liquid crystal display and personal computer to which embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a liquid crystal display. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of another liquid crystal display. It is a flowchart which shows the process which displays high refresh timing image data. It is a flowchart which shows the process which displays high refresh timing image data. It is a figure which shows the example of the LCD panel integrated personal computer to which other embodiment is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the refresh timing production | generation system of an LCD panel integrated personal computer. It is a flowchart which shows the process which displays other high refresh timing image data. It is a flowchart which shows the process which displays other high refresh timing image data. It is a figure which shows the menu screen of high refresh timing selection.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Personal computer, 2 ... Liquid crystal display, 3 ... Cable, 4 ... EDID memory, 5 ... Scaler, 6 ... Discrimination switch, 7 ... CPU, 8 ... Image conversion part, 9 ... Output switch, 10 ... LCD driver, 11 ... LCD panel, 12 ... high refresh timing data, 13 ... high refresh timing image data, 31 ... personal computer, 32 ... LCD panel, 33 ... main body, 34 ... refresh timing storage memory, 41 ... high refresh timing selection display section, 42 ... High refresh timing image data generation unit, 43 ... LCD driver, 44 ... Normal refresh timing selection display unit, 45 ... Normal refresh timing image data generation unit, 51 ... Menu screen, 52 ... Refresh timing selection, 53 ... Lee refresh, 54 ... Usually refresh

Claims (6)

In an image display device that displays an image supplied from an image supply source after the image is converted into an image corresponding to a display unit through an image conversion unit, if necessary,
Storage means for storing timing data for displaying at least the image supplied from the image supply source at a predetermined timing;
Determining means for determining whether an image supplied from the image supply source is based on the timing data;
When it is determined by the determining means that the image supplied from the image supply source is based on the timing data, the image corresponding to the display means by the image converting means is not subjected to conversion processing, and the output path is changed. Switching means for switching and supplying the image supplied from the image supply source as it is to the display means;
An image display device comprising: The image display device according to claim 1,
When it is determined that the timing data supplied from the image supply source is different from the timing data corresponding to the display means, the output path is switched to pass through the image conversion means, and the timing data suitable for the display means An image display device characterized by being converted into an image. The image display device according to claim 1,
The image display device, wherein the timing data is supplied to the image supply source when the image display device is electrically connected to the image supply source by a cable. The image display device according to claim 1,
The image display device, wherein the image display device and the image supply source are integrated, and the timing data is selected by a menu displayed on the display means. In an image display method for displaying an image supplied from an image supply source after converting the image to an image corresponding to a display unit through an image conversion process,
The image source recognizing the display;
Reading out timing data displayed at a predetermined timing for requesting an image supplied from the image supply source, the image supply source being stored in a memory of a display unit;
Outputting the image at a predetermined timing requested by the image supply source to the display unit;
Determining whether an image supplied from the image supply source is based on the timing data;
When it is determined that the image supplied from the image supply source is based on the timing data, the output path is switched and the image corresponding to the display unit by the image conversion process is switched without changing the output path. Supplying an image supplied from a supply source to the display unit as it is;
An image display method comprising: The image display method according to claim 5,
When it is determined that the timing data supplied from the image supply source is different from the timing data corresponding to the display unit, the method further includes a step of switching an output path to perform the image conversion process,
An image display method, wherein the image data is converted into timing data suitable for the display unit by the image conversion process.

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