JP2008158208A - Image outputting device and image output method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image output device in which display setting can be instantaneously performed, and to provide an image output method. <P>SOLUTION: The image output device is connected to a display device for displaying image information and outputs the image information to the display device. The image output device includes: a memory means for storing the condition information which is the information indicating, in advance, the display conditions of the display device; a conversion means for converting the image information to be output to the display device, on the basis of the condition information; and an output means for outputting the converted image information which is the image information converted by the conversion means to the display device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output apparatus and an image output method, and more particularly to an image output apparatus and an image output method that support HDMI input of a connected display apparatus.

  In recent years, personal computers having the same AV function as audio / video (AV) devices such as DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) players and TV devices have been developed. Many personal computers of this type have a function of receiving broadcast program data.

  Recently, along with the digitization of broadcasting, personal computers are also required to have a digital output interface capable of outputting a digital video signal to an external display device such as a TV. When a digital output interface is used, high-quality video data can be output to the outside.

  However, in the case of HDMI-TV, the resolution of the liquid crystal panel and the supported display resolution generally do not match. For this reason, there is a problem that scaling processing occurs, and when a Note-PC screen (especially characters other than movies, windows, icons, photos, etc.) is displayed, blurring appears or the definition deteriorates. is there.

Some image output devices obtain HDMI monitor condition information, convert image information based on the HDMI monitor condition information, and output the converted image information to a monitor. For example, Patent Document 1 holds EDID information of an HDMI monitor that has been connected once, and performs display settings based on the held data at the next connection. Although this method is also a method, there is a restriction that display setting cannot be performed instantly.
JP 2005-109703 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image output apparatus and an image output method capable of instantly performing display settings.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image output device of the present invention is an image output device that is connected to a display device that displays image information and outputs the image information to the display device. Storage means for storing condition information that is information indicating conditions, conversion means for converting image information to be output to the display device based on the condition information, and a converted image that is image information converted by the conversion means Output means for outputting information to the display device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an image output apparatus and an image output method in which display settings can be instantly set.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The embodiment relates to a PC screen output method to HDMI-TV and a method to display a PC screen on HDMI-TV in a clear manner.

  First, a configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of an image output apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. This information processing apparatus is realized as, for example, a notebook portable personal computer 10.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the notebook personal computer 10 with the display unit opened. The computer 10 includes a computer main body 11 and a display unit 12. The display unit 12 incorporates a display device composed of a TFT-LCD (Thin Film Transistor Liquid Crystal Display) 17, and the display screen of the LCD 17 is positioned substantially at the center of the display unit 12.

  The display unit 12 is attached to the computer main body 11 so as to be rotatable between an open position and a closed position. The computer main body 11 has a thin box-shaped housing, and has a keyboard 13 on its upper surface, a power button 14 for powering on / off the computer 10, an input operation panel 15, a touch pad 16, and a speaker. 18A, 18B, etc. are arranged.

  The input operation panel 15 is an input device that inputs an event corresponding to a pressed button, and includes a plurality of buttons for starting a plurality of functions. These button groups also include operation buttons for controlling the TV function of the computer 10.

  Further, a remote control unit interface unit 20 for executing communication with a remote control unit for controlling the TV function of the computer 10 is provided on the front surface of the computer main body 11. The remote control unit interface unit 20 includes an infrared signal receiving unit and the like.

  The computer 10 can receive and reproduce digital broadcast program data such as terrestrial digital TV broadcast. On the right side of the computer main body 11, for example, an antenna terminal 19 for terrestrial digital TV broadcasting is provided. Further, on the back surface of the computer main body 11, for example, an external display connection terminal corresponding to the HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) standard is provided. The external display connection terminal is used to output a digital video signal corresponding to digital broadcast program data such as terrestrial digital TV broadcast to an external display device such as a TV receiver.

Next, the system configuration of the computer 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the computer 10 includes a CPU 101, a north bridge 102, a main memory 103, a south bridge 104, a graphics processing unit (GPU) 105, a video memory (VRAM) 105A, a sound controller 106, a BIOS- ROM 109, LAN controller 110, hard disk drive (HDD) 111, DVD drive 112, card controller 113, wireless LAN controller 114, IEEE 1394 controller 115, embedded controller / keyboard controller IC (EC / KBC) 116, digital TV tuner 117, and An EEPROM 118 and the like are provided.

  Among these components, CPU 101, north bridge 102, main memory 103, south bridge 104, graphics processing unit (GPU) 105, video memory (VRAM) 105A, sound controller 106, BIOS-ROM 109, LAN controller 110, card controller 113, The wireless LAN controller 114, the IEEE 1394 controller 115, the embedded controller / keyboard controller IC (EC / KBC) 116, the EEPROM 118, and the like are provided on a system board provided in the computer main body 11, and function as a system unit. .

  The digital TV tuner 117 is realized as a unit independent of the system board. For example, the TV tuner 117 is mounted on a tuner board different from the system board. The TV tuner 117 has an encryption function, encrypts the received broadcast program data, and outputs it to the system unit. The broadcast program data is encrypted based on the encryption key stored in the TV tuner 117.

  The system unit stores the encrypted broadcast program data output from the digital TV tuner 117 in a storage device such as the HDD 111 and stores the encrypted broadcast program data stored in the HDD 111 in the digital TV tuner 117. A process of decrypting based on the encrypted encryption key and a process of reproducing the decrypted broadcast program data are executed.

Hereinafter, the function of each component will be described.
The CPU 101 is a processor that controls the operation of the computer 10 and executes an operating system and various application programs loaded from the hard disk drive (HDD) 111 to the main memory 103. The CPU 101 also executes a system BIOS (Basic Input Output System) stored in the BIOS-ROM 109. The system BIOS is a program for hardware control. The BIOS-ROM 109 also stores a video BIOS (VGA BIOS) for controlling the GPU 105.

  The north bridge 112 is a bridge device that connects the local bus of the CPU 101 and the south bridge 104. The north bridge 102 also includes a memory controller that controls access to the main memory 103. The north bridge 102 also has a function of executing communication with the GPU 105 via a PCI EXPRESS serial bus or the like.

  The GPU 105 is a display controller that controls the LCD 17 used as an internal display device of the computer 10. The video signal generated by the GPU 105 is sent to the LCD 17. The GPU 105 can also send a digital video signal to the external display device 1 via the HDMI control circuit 3 and the HDMI terminal 2.

  The HDMI terminal 2 is the above-described external display connection terminal. The HDMI terminal 2 can send a digital video signal and a digital audio signal to an external display device 1 such as a TV receiver with a single cable.

  The HDMI control circuit 3 is an interface control unit for sending a digital video signal generated by the GPU 105 to an external display device 1 called an HDMI monitor via the HDMI terminal 2.

  The HDMI control circuit 3 has a content protection function such as HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection System). The HDMI control circuit 3 executes an authentication process for determining whether or not the external display device 1 connected to the HDMI terminal 2 is a legitimate device corresponding to a content protection function such as HDCP, and the external display device Only when it is determined that 1 is a valid device, a digital video signal is output. Thereby, the digital video signal of the broadcast program data can be output to the outside in a secure state.

  The south bridge 104 controls each device on an LPC (Low Pin Count) bus and each device on a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus. The south bridge 104 includes an IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) controller for controlling the hard disk drive (HDD) 111 and the DVD drive 112. Further, the south bridge 104 has a function of executing communication with the sound controller 106.

The sound controller 106 is a sound source device and outputs audio data to be reproduced to the speakers 18A and 18B or the HDMI control circuit 3.
The card controller 113 controls card devices such as a PC card and an SD (Secure Digital) card. The wireless LAN controller 114 is a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication of, for example, IEEE 802.11 standard. The IEEE 1394 controller 115 executes communication with an external device via an IEEE 1394 standard serial bus.

  The embedded controller / keyboard controller IC (EC / KBC) 116 is a one-chip microcomputer in which an embedded controller for power management and a keyboard controller for controlling the keyboard (KB) 13 and the touch pad 16 are integrated. . The embedded controller / keyboard controller IC (EC / KBC) 116 has a function of powering on / off the computer 10 in accordance with the operation of the power button 14 by the user. Further, the embedded controller / keyboard controller IC (EC / KBC) 116 has a function of executing communication with the remote control unit interface 20.

  The digital TV tuner 117 is a receiving device that receives a digital broadcast program such as terrestrial digital TV broadcast, and is connected to the antenna terminal 19. The digital TV tuner 117 includes a tuner circuit 201, an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) demodulator 202, and a copyright protection LSI 203.

  In terrestrial digital TV broadcasting, MPEG2 is used as a compression encoding method for each broadcast program data (video, audio). As the video format, standard definition SD (Standard Definition) and high resolution HD (High Definition) can be used.

  The tuner circuit 201 and the OFDM demodulator 202 function as a tuner unit that receives broadcast program data. The tuner circuit 201 receives a TV broadcast signal of a specific channel from the TV broadcast signals input from the antenna terminal 19. An OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) demodulator 202 demodulates the TV broadcast signal received by the tuner circuit 201 and extracts a transport stream (TS) from the TV broadcast signal. The transport stream is a stream obtained by multiplexing a plurality of broadcast program data that have been compression-encoded. The transport stream includes encrypted broadcast program data (video, audio).

  The copyright protection LSI 203 executes a process for decrypting the encrypted broadcast program data and a process for re-encrypting the decrypted broadcast program data and outputting the encrypted broadcast program data to the system unit.

  Decryption of the encrypted broadcast program data is executed using, for example, the B-CAS card 204 attached to the computer main body 11. The B-CAS card 204 is an IC card that stores information (key, authentication information, contract information, etc.) for decrypting encrypted broadcast program data. The copyright protection LSI 203 decrypts the encrypted broadcast program data using the information stored in the B-CAS card 204. The copyright protection LSI 203 has a local encryption key, and re-encrypts the broadcast program data based on the encryption key. The encrypted broadcast program data is sent to the system unit via the PCI bus.

  The CPU 101 of the system unit executes reproduction processing for reproducing encrypted broadcast program data transmitted from the digital TV tuner 117 by executing reproduction software. In this reproduction process, the CPU 101 first decrypts the encrypted broadcast program data based on, for example, an encryption key stored in the digital TV tuner 117. Thereafter, the CPU 101 separates the decoded broadcast program data into video data (video data) and audio data, and decodes the video data and audio data, respectively. Then, the CPU 101 sends the decoded video data to the GPU 105 and sends the decoded audio data to the sound controller 106.

Next, the configuration of the GPU 105 and its peripheral circuits will be described with reference to FIG.
In the HDMI standard digital interface, a digital video signal interface, a hot plug interface, and a DDC (Display Data Channel) interface are defined between a transmitting device that transmits a digital video signal and a receiving device that receives the digital video signal. ing.

  The digital video signal interface is an interface for transmitting an HDMI standard digital video signal (HDMI video signal) from a transmission device to a reception device. The digital audio signal is transmitted from the transmitting device to the receiving device via the digital video signal interface, for example, during a blanking period of the digital video signal.

  In the hot plug interface, a hot plug signal indicating whether or not an external display device is connected to the HDMI terminal 2 is defined. When an external display device is connected to the HDMI terminal 2 via a cable, the hot plug signal is in an active state, and when the external display device is removed, the hot plug signal is in an inactive state. Become.

  The DDC (Display Data Channel) interface is an interface for the transmitting device to read identification information called Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) from the receiving device. The DDC interface includes a bidirectional DDC signal line.

  The GPU 105 generates a digital video signal, for example, a DVI (digital visual interface) video signal from the video data transmitted from the reproduction software, and transmits the DVI video signal to the HDMI control circuit 3. Further, the GPU 105 transmits a control signal for controlling the HDMI control circuit 3 to the HDMI control circuit 3. The GPU 105 also has a function of reading EDID from the receiving device via the DDC signal line.

The HDMI control circuit 3 includes, for example, an HDMI transmitter (HDMI-TX) 301 and an HDMI control unit 302.
The HDMI transmitter (HDMI-TX) 301 is an LSI that outputs a digital video signal generated by the GPU 105 to the outside via the HDMI terminal 2. Specifically, the HDMI transmitter (HDMI-TX) 301 converts the DVI video signal from the GPU 105 into an HDMI video signal, and outputs the HDMI video signal to the outside via the HDMI terminal 2.

  Further, the HDMI transmitter (HDMI-TX) 301 can detect whether the external display device 1 is connected to the HDMI terminal 2 based on a hot plug signal from the HDMI terminal 2. The hot plug signal from the HDMI terminal 2 is also supplied to the EC / KBC 116.

  The HDMI control unit 302 is a one-chip microcomputer that controls the HDMI transmitter (HDMI-TX) 301. The HDMI control unit 302 has a content protection function such as HDCP. That is, the HDMI control unit 302 authenticates the external display device 1 using the DDC signal. In this authentication process, the HDMI control unit 302 determines whether or not the external display device 1 is a legitimate device having a content protection function for protecting the digital video signal from the transmission device, that is, the external display device 1 is HDCP. It is determined whether or not the device is compatible. Only when it is determined that the external display device 1 is a legitimate device, the HDMI control unit 302 permits output of video data that requires content protection as an HDMI video signal. For example, the authentication processing is repeatedly executed at regular intervals. This can prevent the HDMI video signal from being sent to an unauthorized external device.

  The HDMI transmitter (HDMI-TX) 301 also has a function of encrypting a digital video signal from the GPU 105 under the control of the HDMI control unit 302. The HDMI transmitter (HDMI-TX) 301 encrypts the digital video signal from the GPU 105, converts the encrypted digital video signal into the format of the HDMI video signal, and outputs it to the external display device 1. If the external display device 1 is a legitimate device, the encrypted digital video signal transmitted from the HDMI transmitter (HDMI-TX) 301 can be correctly decrypted.

  In a normal personal computer power-on sequence, when the personal computer is powered on, almost all of the devices are reset. Then, after a certain period of time, the reset of each of almost all devices is released, and thereafter the operating system is started.

  In the computer 10 of this embodiment, a control unit 501 for controlling the operation of the HDMI control circuit 3 is provided. This control unit 501 is provided in the GPU 105, for example.

  The control unit 501 starts the HDMI control circuit 3 after a specific operating system having a content protection function corresponding to HDCP, that is, a content protection function for protecting video data sent from the software to the GPU 105 from unauthorized use is started. Execute the process to set the to the operating state.

  In response to the power-on of the computer 10, the control unit 501 sets a reset signal for resetting the HDMI control circuit 3 to an active state (Reset = low). The reset signal is supplied to the HDMI transmitter (HDMI-TX) 301 and the HDMI control unit 302, respectively.

Note that the control unit 501 may be provided outside the GPU 105.
Next, another configuration example of the HDMI control circuit 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 4, the function of the HDMI control unit 302 is provided in the GPU 105, and the HDMI control circuit 3 includes only an HDMI transmitter (HDMI-TX) 301. Control of the HDMI transmitter (HDMI-TX) 301 is executed by the GPU 105.

  The authentication unit 601 in the GPU 105 authenticates the external display device 1 using the DDC signal. In this authentication process, the authentication unit 601 determines whether or not the external display device 1 is a legitimate device having a content protection function for protecting the digital video signal from the transmission device, that is, the external display device 1 is HDCP compatible. Determine if it is a device. Only when it is determined that the external display device 1 is a valid device, the authentication unit 601 permits the HDMI transmitter (HDMI-TX) 301 to output the HDMI video signal.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the HDMI control circuit 301 is set to the operating state only under a complete environment in which the operating system having the content protection function is operating, and under other environments, the HDMI control circuit is set. 301 is set to an operation stop state. Therefore, a sufficient copyright protection function can be realized and high-quality video data can be output to the outside.

  In this embodiment, the HDMI control circuit 301 is set to the operation stop state / operation state by controlling the reset signal. However, not only the control of the reset signal but also the control and operation of the clock signal to the HDMI control circuit 301, for example. The HDMI control circuit 301 can be set to an operation stop state / operation state by power supply control.

  HDMI-TV has in ROM a variety of TV information called EDID (Enhanced Display Interface data). The display resolution supported by HDMI-TV is recorded in EDID. For example:

[1] 720x480, [2] 1280x720, [3] 1920x1080
This example shows that three display resolutions are supported. In other words, three types of display timing are supported.
HDMI-TV normally uses a liquid crystal panel as a display device. The typical resolution of the liquid crystal panel used is as follows.
1366x768, 1280x768, 1920x1080 (For 16: 9 HDMI-TV)
Since the resolution of the liquid crystal panel is fixed to one type, a process called “scaling” is required to support a plurality of display resolutions (display timings). The “scaling” will be described below.

For example, it is assumed that an HDMI-TV having a 1366 × 768 liquid crystal panel supports the display resolutions [1] to [3] described above.
(1) When 720x480 display resolution (display timing) is input (see Fig. 5)
Display resolution (720x480) <LCD panel resolution (1366x768).
In this case, the lack of display data is complemented, and the display resolution is artificially adjusted to the liquid crystal panel resolution. This is called upscaling.
(2) When 1280x720 display resolution (display timing) is input, display resolution (1280x720) <liquid crystal panel resolution (1366x768).
Therefore, upscaling is performed as in [1].
(3) When display resolution (display timing) of 1920x1080 is input (see Fig. 6)
Display resolution (1920x1080)> LCD panel resolution (1366x768).
In this case, the display data is compressed to match the display resolution with the liquid crystal panel resolution.
This is called down-cailing.
Upscaling complements the display data, resulting in a blurry display. Downscaling has a drawback in that display definition is reduced because display data is compressed. However, either method is not an issue if it is a movie. Since TV is usually the main purpose of watching videos, this method is acceptable.

  Here is another example. For example, a case will be described in which an HDMI-TV having a 1920 × 1080 liquid crystal panel supports the display resolution of [3] 1920 × 1080 described above.

(4) When display resolution (display timing) of 1920x1080 is input, display resolution (1920x1080) = liquid crystal panel resolution (1920x1080). In this case, since there is no need for scaling, the image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel while maintaining the input display resolution. As a result, the display is free from blurring and has no reduction in definition.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the output display resolution with respect to HDMI-TV of Note-PC. The model name of the HDMI-TV and the resolution of the liquid crystal panel of the HDMI-TV investigated by the PC vendor in advance are recorded in the reference table 111c. When displaying on HDMI-TV, the contents of the reference table are displayed as options in addition to the normal output display resolution. A user interactively selects a normal display resolution or a liquid crystal panel resolution using a remote controller or a display screen according to the purpose. When output at the LCD panel resolution, the HDMI-TV scaling process does not occur, so a clear display can be obtained.

  Read the supported resolution of EDID-ROM and save it in Registry 111b. Based on that, the output display resolution is determined by the GPU 105 via the driver 111a.

  In addition to information derived from the EDID-ROM, information A and B of each display device of TVA and TVB in FIG. 7 is placed in the registry 111b from the reference table 111c.

<Points of Examples>
1. Output at a display resolution that matches the LCD panel resolution of HDMI-TV.
2. The user confirms the manufacturer and model name of the TV by himself / herself, and makes them select from a reference table.
The LCD panel resolution of HDMI-TV is usually publicly available information. Even if the support resolution and the liquid crystal panel resolution do not match, the HDMI-TV side “is compatible with multi-sync and can usually be displayed within the range of the support resolution.

  As an outline of the present invention, for example, a model name of HDMI-TV and a resolution of the liquid crystal panel of the HDMI-TV investigated in advance by a PC vendor are recorded in a reference table. When displaying on HDMI-TV, the contents of the reference table are displayed as options in addition to the normal output display resolution. The user selects a normal display resolution or a liquid crystal panel resolution according to the purpose.

  As an effect, even if the resolution of the LCD panel does not match the supported display resolution, the resolution of the LCD panel is prepared as the output display resolution and can be used to create a PC screen (especially characters other than videos). , Window, icons, photos, etc.) can prevent blurring and fineness from degrading and provide a clear display.

  In TVs that support HDMI input (hereinafter HDMI-TV), the LCD panel resolution of HDMI-TV often does not match the supported display resolution of HDMI-TV. For this reason, scaling processing occurs, and when a PC screen (particularly characters other than moving images, windows, icons, photos, etc.) is displayed, blurring appears or the definition is reduced. By providing the liquid crystal panel resolution as the output display resolution of the PC, it provides an environment where clear PC images can be obtained on HDMI-TV.

  Even if the resolution of the LCD panel does not match the supported display resolution, the resolution of the LCD panel is prepared as the output display resolution, and by using it, the PC screen (especially characters other than movies, Windows, When displaying icons, photos, etc.), blurring and definition are prevented from lowering, and a clear display can be obtained.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements according to different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

1 is a perspective view showing an overview of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. The block diagram which shows the structure of GPU105 provided in the information processing apparatus which concerns on the embodiment, and its peripheral circuit. The block diagram which shows the other structural example of GPU105 provided in the information processing apparatus which concerns on the embodiment, and its peripheral circuit. Explanatory drawing by the example of upscaling. Explanatory drawing by the example of down-cailing. The figure for demonstrating the output display resolution with respect to HDMI-TV of Note-PC.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... External display device, 2 ... HDMI terminal, 3 ... HDMI control circuit, 10 ... Computer, 101 ... CPU, 105 ... GPU, 106 ... Sound controller, 111 ... HDD, 117 ... Digital TV tuner, 301 ... HDMI transmitter, 302 ... HDMI control unit, 501 ... control unit.

Claims (8)

An image output device connected to a display device for displaying image information and outputting the image information to the display device,
Storage means for preliminarily storing condition information which is information indicating display conditions of the display device;
Conversion means for converting image information to be output to the display device based on the condition information;
Output means for outputting converted image information, which is image information converted by the conversion means, to the display device;
An image output apparatus comprising:   The image output device according to claim 1, wherein the condition information is a resolution of a display device.   The image output apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the resolution includes a display resolution unique to a screen.   The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit is a high-definition multimedia interface. An image output method for outputting the image information to a display device for displaying the image information,
In advance, condition information that is information indicating display conditions of the display device is stored,
Converting image information to be output to the display device based on the condition information;
An image output method comprising: outputting converted image information which is the converted image information to the display device.   The image output method according to claim 5, wherein the condition information is a resolution of a display device.   The image output method according to claim 6, wherein the resolution includes a display resolution unique to a screen.   6. The image output method according to claim 5, wherein the output means is a high-definition multimedia interface.

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