JP2008027196A - Picture-displaying system and display-setting method for picture-displaying system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display-setting method which enables the setting of a free display layout and is easy to operate to users in a multiscreen-type picture-displaying system. <P>SOLUTION: A picture-displaying system displays picture signals on a multiscreen display device 1 in which a plurality of displays 10 are arranged. In this case, a control part 2 makes control to display picture signals on each of the displays 10 according to a set display layout. A control monitor 3 provides an operation screen 100 for setting a display layout which a user wants. The operation screen 100 is provided with; layout-setting means 103 and 104 for designating the display position and display size of a picture to be displayed; and a simulated multiscreen 101 which simulatively displays a display screen. The simulated multiscreen 101 displays a display-range designating frame 105 which is designated by the layout-setting means 103 and 104. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a video display system in which a plurality of displays are arranged in a grid pattern, and relates to a display setting method for suitably setting a display layout (display position and size) in video display.

  There are various types of video display devices, but a large screen is required for applications in which a large number of people check the contents of the same display screen while performing business (for example, monitoring of infrastructure systems, etc.). A rear projection type (rear projection type) display device is used. Furthermore, in a multi-screen display system in which a plurality of rear projection devices and the like are used and arranged in a grid pattern, an image normally displayed on one display device can be enlarged and displayed on the entire multi-screen. It can be provided as a larger video screen.

  The following techniques are disclosed as signal processing techniques for displaying an enlarged image in a multi-screen display device. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that unit display monitors arranged in a matrix are connected in series in a ring shape for the purpose of enabling display settings with only minimum data input when changing the number of multiple screens or the screen configuration. The configuration to be described is described. Patent Document 2 has an enlargement control circuit in which the installation space is small and the number of display screens can be easily and inexpensively changed, and each display monitor is supplied with display control information by designating an enlargement position; A configuration including an enlargement processing circuit for enlarging a designated position to form a video signal for display is described. Patent Document 3 aims to be able to select an arbitrary video signal from a plurality of input video signals and display it at an arbitrary position. The display system is composed of one master unit and other slave units, and has an external system control. A configuration is described in which the master unit is controlled by the unit, and the master unit controls itself and the slave unit.

JP 2003-44028 A JP-A-4-329593 JP-A-8-88820

  According to the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above, when one video is enlarged and displayed on the entire multi-screen, it is effective for dealing with changes in the number of screens. Further, according to the technique described in Patent Document 3, it is effective when one video selected from a plurality of input video signals is enlarged and displayed at an arbitrary position.

  On the other hand, when a user displays a desired video on a multi-screen, it is desirable that a display layout such as a video display position and an enlargement ratio can be freely set. In the conventional multi-image display device, the display layout is fixed for each device (for example, enlarged to the full screen), or is selected and set by the user from a plurality of layouts (for example, enlarged / equal magnification) provided in the device. It was. That is, it is not considered that the user immediately changes the layout while watching the video, and even if it can be changed, there is no freedom of selection and operability is not good. Each of the above patent documents does not consider the display layout setting and operability from the user's standpoint.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a display setting method in which a display layout can be freely set in a multi-screen video display system and user operability is good.

  The present invention is a video display system for displaying a video signal using a multi-screen display device in which a plurality of displays are arranged, and each display constituting the multi-screen display device according to a set display layout of the input video signal And a control monitor that provides an operation screen used by the user to set a desired display layout. The operation screen provided by the control monitor displays an image displayed as a display layout. Layout setting means for designating the display position and display size.

  The layout setting means is separately provided with an equal magnification display setting means for designating to display an image at an equal magnification, and an enlarged display setting means for designating to display an enlarged image. Alternatively, the same size display setting means and the enlarged display setting means are provided in an integrated manner.

  Further, the operation screen has a simulated multi-screen that displays the display screen of the multi-screen display device in a simulated manner, and the simulated multi-screen has a display range designation frame indicating the display layout designated by the layout setting means. indicate.

  The present invention also relates to a display setting method for a video display system for displaying video signals on a multi-screen display device in which a plurality of displays are arranged, and the display position of the video when displaying on the multi-screen display device to the user. An operation screen for designating a display size is provided, designation from the user is accepted via the operation screen, a display layout desired by the user is set, and a video signal is displayed in accordance with the set display layout. It controls so that it displays on each display which comprises.

  According to the present invention, in a multi-screen video display system, a display layout can be freely set by a simple operation, and a display setting method with good user operability can be provided.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a multi-screen display system according to the present invention. The multi-screen display device 1 is configured, for example, by arranging 16 rear projection displays 10 in a 4 × 4 matrix. Each display 10 not only displays the input video signal at the same magnification, but also multiplies the video signal in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction respectively in accordance with the designated display layout, and the enlarged video obtained as a result A function is provided for cutting out and displaying a specified range from. The magnification and position setting of the same magnification display and enlarged display are controlled using an external control signal. The control unit 2 controls the operation of the entire system. Specific examples include an operating system (hereinafter abbreviated as OS), application software that provides an operation interface to the user of the system, and the operation interface. A computer or the like equipped with application software or the like that executes a specified control operation corresponds to this. The control monitor 3 displays an image output from the control unit 2 and displays an operation screen for layout setting in the multi-screen display system of the present embodiment. The video playback devices 4a and 4b are signal sources that supply video signals to be displayed on the multi-screen display device 1, and two systems are shown here, but the number of systems can be increased as necessary. The format of the video signal may be NTSC or RGB. The video selection switching unit 5 selects, switches, and distributes video signals output from the video playback devices 4a and 4b. As a specific example, a device called a matrix switcher corresponds to this.

  The signal cable 21 supplies the video signal selected by the video selection switching unit 5 to the multi-screen display device 1 and is connected to each of the 16 displays 10 one by one. The control unit 2 controls the input / output selection operation of the video selection switching unit 5 via the control cable 22. Further, the control unit 2 controls each display 10 via the control cable 23. At that time, the control cable 23 is connected to one display 10 and then connected to the remaining 15 displays 10 one after another in a so-called daisy chain connection. An image signal such as an operation screen output from the control unit 2 is transmitted to the control monitor 3 through the signal cable 24.

  The multi-screen display system of this embodiment is characterized by a layout operation screen that the control unit 2 displays on the control monitor, which will be described below.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a layout operation screen in the multi-screen display system according to the present embodiment. On the monitor screen 100 of the control monitor 3, a simulated multi-screen 101 that simulates the display screen layout of the multi-screen display device 1 is displayed. That is, the simulated multi-screen 101 corresponds to 4 × 4 = 16 displays 10 constituting the multi-screen display device 1 of this embodiment, and is configured by combining 16 rectangular areas. On the simulated multi-screen 101, a display range designation frame 105 indicating the video display range (position and size) currently set in the multi-screen display device 1 is displayed. The user can check the layout (position and size) displayed on the multi-screen display device 1 by looking at the display range designation frame 105 of the simulated multi-screen 101, and can change and set the layout.

  Further, the monitor screen 100 designates video source selection buttons 102a and 102b as means for selecting video signals from the video reproduction apparatuses 4a and 4b, and a display position when the selected video signals are displayed at the same magnification. The same-size display setting button 103 as a means for the above, and an enlarged display setting button 104 as a means for designating the display position and size when performing the enlarged display. Here, the same size display is a case where any one of the 16 displays 10 is selected to display an image. The enlarged display is a case where 2 × 2 = 4 units, 3 × 3 = 9 units, or 4 × 4 = 16 units are selected and an image is enlarged and displayed. The same size display setting button 103 is provided with a move button 1030a for moving the display position in the vertical and horizontal directions and an enter button 1039 for confirming the position. Further, the enlarged display setting button 104 is provided with a move button 1040a for moving in the up / down / left / right directions, an enlarge button 1040b for enlarging in the diagonal direction, a reduce button 1040c for reducing in the diagonal direction, and a decision button 1049 for confirming the position and size.

  The display range designation frame 105 moves by one rectangular area on the simulated multi-screen 101 each time the move buttons 1030a and 1040a provided on the same size display setting button 103 and the enlarged display setting button 104 are pressed once. Is set to Each time the enlarge button 1040b (or reduce button 1040c) is pressed, the image is set to be enlarged (or reduced) by one rectangular area in the diagonal direction on the simulated multi-screen 101.

  Next, the operation of the multi-screen display system and the display setting method in this embodiment will be described in detail.

  The control unit 2 in FIG. 1 supplies the monitor screen 100 in FIG. 2 (hereinafter also referred to as an operation screen) as a user interface for operation to the control monitor 3 through the signal cable 24. In accordance with the operation screen 100, the user first selects one of the video source selection buttons 102a and 102b in order to determine a video source (video playback devices 4a and 4b) to be displayed on the multi-screen display device 1. Regarding the selection operation, a click method using a mouse may be used, or a method of touching a desired button on the screen using a finger or the like with the entire operation screen as a touch panel may be used. In the description of the present embodiment, this selection operation is described in terms of “pressing” a button. In the example of FIG. 2, a state in which the video reproduction device A is selected is shown.

  When a video source is selected, a display range designation frame 105 is automatically displayed on the simulated multi-screen 101. It should be noted that the display range designation frame 105 (or the area within the frame) is preferably highlighted with a high-color or high-luminance color (for example, a single color such as red or white) so that the user can easily recognize it. When the display range designation frame 105 is displayed, the user can set the display layout (position and size) using the same size display setting button 103 for the same size display and the enlarged display setting button 104 for the larger size display. Set. Hereinafter, these operating methods will be specifically described.

(1) Same-size display layout In the same-size display, any one of the 16 displays (16 screens) constituting the multi-screen display device 1 is selected and displayed without enlarging or reducing the video source. Let In order to select the surface to be displayed, the display range designation frame 105 is moved by pressing one of the up / down / left / right movement buttons 1030a provided on the same size display setting button 103. At this time, the display range designation frame 105 moves in units of one rectangular area. After moving to the desired position, the display position is determined by pressing the center determination button 1039. The control unit 2 controls the video selection switching unit 5 and the multi-screen display device 1 according to this determination content, and displays the selected video source at the user's desired position at the same magnification.

(2) Enlarged Display Layout In the enlarged display, the display position and the size of the selected video source are specified using the enlarged display setting button 104.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an enlarged display setting operation. (A) is an initial state, and a display range designation frame 105a of the same magnification is displayed at the initial position (for example, the upper left corner position) of the simulated multi-screen 101. (B) shows a state in which the display range designation frame 105b enlarged by one step in the lower right diagonal direction is set by pressing the enlargement button 1041 of the enlargement display setting button 104 once. When the enlarge button is pressed, the display range designation frame 105 is enlarged in the diagonal direction while maintaining the aspect ratio of the current display range. (C) is a state in which the display range designation frame 105c after the enlargement button 1041 is pressed once and the movement button 1042 is pressed once is set. (D) is a state in which the enlargement button 1043 is further pressed once to set the display range designation frame 105d for enlarging the display range to the entire 16 screens. This display is called “full screen display”.

  Moreover, the reverse reduction display is also possible. When the reduction button 1044 is pressed in the full-screen display state of (d), the state transitions to the state of the display range designation frame 105c of (c). When the reduction button 1045 and the move button 1046 are pressed in the state of (c), the state transitions to the state of the display range designation frame 105b of (b). When the reduction button 1045 is pressed in the state of (b), the initial state of (a) is restored.

  In order to set the full screen display of FIG. 3D, for example, the enlargement button 1041 may be pressed three times from the initial state of FIG. 3A, but in order to reduce the number of user operations, the enlargement is performed from the state of FIG. It can also be configured to transition to the state of (d) by long-pressing the button 1041 (holding it down for about 1 to 2 seconds).

  In this way, the user enlarges the display range designation frame 105 to a desired size and moves it to a desired position. Then, by pressing the center determination button 1049, the layout of the display position and the size is determined. The control unit 2 controls the video selection switching unit 5 and the multi-screen display device 1 in accordance with this determination content, and displays the selected video source in a desired size at a desired size.

  In the operation screen of FIG. 2, the same size display setting button 103 and the enlarged display setting button 104 are provided separately. This is to prevent the user from confusing the same-size display operation and the enlarged display operation and performing an erroneous operation. Usually, since the user selects and operates either the same size display or the enlarged display, it can be said that it is easier to use the operation panel separately. Further, the same size display setting button 103 is not provided with a diagonally moving button (arrow). This is for avoiding an erroneous operation of the user by distinguishing from the button layout of the operation panel of the enlarged display setting button 104. Of course, if there is no fear, the same size display setting button 103 may be provided with a diagonally moving button.

  According to the present embodiment, when selecting a video source to be displayed on the multi-screen display device and specifying a display position and an enlarged display, the display layout can be freely set with a simple operation. Since the user can operate while visually confirming the progress of layout setting, that is, the display position and the display size, the user-friendliness can be improved.

  The operation screen in the multi-screen display system of the present embodiment can be variously modified as follows.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example of the operation screen in the multi-screen display system of the present embodiment. The same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 4, the movement instruction button 106 is for moving the display range designation frame 105, and the enlargement instruction button 107 is for instructing enlargement (or reduction) of the display range designation frame 105. (Decrease) was used as a dedicated operation panel. The movement instruction button 106 is provided with a total of eight movement buttons 1060a in the vertical and horizontal directions and the diagonal direction. The enlargement instruction button 107 is provided with four enlargement (reduction) buttons 1070b (1070c) in the diagonal direction. The decision instruction button 109 is for confirming the position and size of the display range designation frame designated by the user.

  According to the operation screen of FIG. 4, since the movement instruction button 106 and the enlargement instruction button 107 are separately arranged, the display range designation frame 105 can be moved in the diagonal direction by a single operation. The operability is further improved.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing still another example of the operation screen in the multi-screen display system of the present embodiment. The same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 5, the operation panel for the same size display and the enlarged display is integrated into one display position / size designation button 108. That is, four movement buttons 1080a and four enlargement (reduction) buttons 1080b (1080c) are provided. The decision button 1089 is for confirming the position and size of the display range designation frame 105 designated by the user.

  According to the operation screen of FIG. 5, since the same size display and the enlarged display can be designated by one operation panel, it can be efficiently arranged when the monitor screen 100 is small.

  Furthermore, as an improvement of the operation screen shown in FIG. 5, one display position / size designation button 108 can be selectively used for an operation for an equal magnification display and an operation for an enlargement display. That is, a button for switching the operation mode is arranged in the vicinity of the display position / size specifying button 108, and the same size display mode and the enlarged display mode are switched by operating this button. In the same size display mode, the configuration of the movement instruction button 106 shown in FIG. 4 is used. In the enlarged display mode, the configuration of the enlarged display setting button 104 shown in FIG. .

  The multi-screen display device 1 in the above embodiment has been described by taking as an example the case where 16 rear projection type displays 10 are arranged, but it goes without saying that the display system and the number of components can be arbitrarily set.

  In the above embodiment, the video selection switching unit 5 selects and displays one of the plurality of video playback devices 4a and 4b. However, the multi-screen display device 1 is divided into a plurality of video signals. It is also possible to display at the same time. For this purpose, a display layout (position and size) may be set for each video source.

  The configuration of each operation screen shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 is an example, and is not limited to this configuration. In addition, application software that displays button-shaped (arrow-shaped) graphics on the computer screen is used as an input means (user interface) for designating the position and range of 1X display and enlarged display. For example, the equivalent function can be realized by means such as a hardware key.

  In addition, when the user operates, the video source to be displayed first is selected and the display position and the enlargement ratio are specified next. The order may be selected.

  Also, if the video signal of the video source selected by the user is captured and the selected image is displayed in an overlapping manner within the display range designation frame, the user can check the content of the video on the control monitor screen, greatly improving convenience. .

The block diagram which shows one Example of the multi-screen display system by this invention. The figure which shows an example of the layout operation screen in a multi-screen display system. The figure which shows an example of operation of an enlarged display setting. The figure which shows the other example of an operation screen. The figure which shows the further another example of an operation screen.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Multiscreen display apparatus 2 ... Control part 3 ... Control monitor 4 ... Video | video reproduction apparatus 5 ... Video selection switching part 10 ... Display 100 ... Monitor screen (operation screen)
101 ... Simulated multi-screen 102 ... Video source selection button 103 ... Same size display setting button 104 ... Enlarged display setting button 105 ... Display range designation frame

Claims (10)

In a video display system that displays a video signal using a multi-screen display device in which a plurality of displays are arranged,
A control unit for controlling the input video signal to be displayed on each display constituting the multi-screen display device according to a set display layout;
A control monitor that provides an operation screen used by a user to set a desired display layout;
A video display system, characterized in that an operation screen provided by the control monitor has layout setting means for designating a display position and a display size of a video to be displayed as the display layout. The video display system according to claim 1,
The video display system, wherein the layout setting means is provided separately with a normal display setting means for designating to display a video at a normal magnification and an enlarged display setting means for designating to display the video in an enlarged manner. The video display system according to claim 1,
The layout setting means is an image display system comprising a unitary display setting means for specifying to display an image at an equal magnification and an enlarged display setting means for specifying to display the image in an enlarged manner. . The video display system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The operation screen has a simulated multi-screen that displays the display screen of the multi-screen display device in a simulated manner,
A display range designation frame indicating a display layout designated by the layout setting means is displayed on the simulated multi-screen. The video display system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Connect multiple video playback devices as input video signal sources,
A video selection switching unit that selects, switches, distributes and transmits video signals to be reproduced from the video reproduction device to the multi-screen display device;
The operation screen provided by the control monitor has video selection means for a user to select a video signal source to be displayed on the multi-screen display device,
The video display system, wherein the control unit controls the video selection switching unit in accordance with a condition selected by the video selection means. The video display system according to claim 2 or 3,
The equal magnification display setting means includes a first movement designating means for moving the display position of the video to be displayed.
The enlarged display setting means includes a second movement designating means for moving the display position of the video to be displayed, and an enlargement / reduction designation means for designating the enlargement / reduction of the video to be displayed. Display system. The video display system according to claim 6,
The first and second movement designating means are constituted by four buttons or user interfaces simulating buttons that move at least in the vertical and horizontal directions on the display screen,
The enlargement / reduction specifying means comprises four buttons or a user interface simulating buttons that are enlarged or reduced in a diagonal direction on a display screen. In a display setting method of a video display system for displaying a video signal on a multi-screen display device in which a plurality of displays are arranged,
Providing the user with an operation screen for designating the display position and display size of the video when displayed on the multi-screen display device,
Accept designation from the user via the operation screen, set the display layout desired by the user,
A display setting method for a video display system, characterized in that the video signal is controlled to be displayed on each display constituting the multi-screen display device in accordance with the set display layout. A display setting method for a video display system according to claim 8,
The operation screen to be provided has a simulated multi-screen that displays the display screen of the multi-screen display device in a simulated manner,
A display setting method for a video display system, wherein a display range designation frame indicating a display layout designated by a user is displayed on the simulated multi-screen. The display setting method of the video display system according to claim 8,
On the operation screen to be provided, four buttons to be moved at least in the vertical and horizontal directions on the display screen are displayed.
4. A display setting method for a video display system, wherein four buttons that are enlarged or reduced in a diagonal direction are displayed on the display screen.

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