JP2009103728A - Display system, display device, display unit, and method of controlling display system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To decrease load for installing a display unit and compose the large screen with decreased labor, when composing a large screen by arranging a plurality of display units. <P>SOLUTION: A display system 1 includes a display panel 10 which is composed of a plurality of panel units which are connected to each other. In this case, the display panel 10 is composed of the panel units which include: rectangular display panels; connection parts which are arranged so that they may face one of the sides of the display panels and are connectable to other panel units 3; and control parts which detect the states in which the other panel units 3 are connected at the connection parts. Further, at least one of the panel units is composed as the master panel unit 2 whose installation direction is designated so that its connection part may face the designated one of upper, lower, left, or right side of the display panel. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display system including a display device configured by connecting a plurality of display units, a display device and a display unit used in the display system, and a display system control method.

Conventionally, a method of arranging a plurality of display units to form one large screen is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, when a multi-display system device functioning as a large screen is configured by arranging a plurality of image display units side by side, display data is input to each image display unit. Is disclosed. Such display of a plurality of display devices arranged as a whole on one screen is generally referred to as tiling display.
JP 2001-275137 A

When a plurality of display units are tiled and displayed as described above, display data corresponding to the position is input to each display unit. Therefore, for example, if the display unit is installed in the wrong position, the image displayed on the display unit and the display position do not match, so that the function as one screen cannot be achieved. For this reason, conventionally, it has been necessary to work carefully so that there is no error in the position of installing the display unit, which has been a heavy burden on the operator.
Therefore, the present invention has an object to reduce a burden related to installation of a display unit when a plurality of display units are arranged to form a single large screen, and to enable a large screen to be configured with little effort. To do.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes a display device configured by connecting a plurality of display units, and the display unit faces a rectangular display panel and one of the sides of the display panel. Connected to the other display unit, and a control unit that detects a connection state of the other display unit in the connection unit, and at least one of the plurality of display units is The display system is configured as a reference display unit in which an installation direction is specified so that the connection portion faces a specified direction of top, bottom, left, or right of the display panel. To do.
According to this configuration, when a display unit having a connection portion arranged facing one side of a rectangular display panel is connected to another display unit to configure a display device, At least one is configured as a reference display unit in which the installation direction is specified so that the connection portion faces the specified direction, so that each display unit is connected in the vertical and horizontal directions of a rectangular display panel to constitute a display device To do. For this reason, the positional relationship between the reference display unit and the other display units in the display device can be accurately obtained with reference to the reference display unit. That is, the position of the display unit connected to the reference display unit can be specified based on the orientation of the connection portion of the reference display unit, and another display unit further connected to this display unit based on the specified position. The position of can also be specified.
Therefore, after connecting a plurality of display units, the position of each display unit can be accurately specified. Therefore, after the display device is installed, the position (arrangement state) of each display unit is specified, and the position of each display unit is determined. It is possible to realize a usage method in which tiling display is performed by displaying an image corresponding to the image. As a result, only the direction of the reference display unit needs to be adjusted to the specified direction when installing the display device, and the installation work can be performed without worrying about the orientation or position of other display units. The workload can be greatly reduced.

Further, in the above-described configuration, each of the display units is arranged to face the direction of one of the sides of the display panel, and includes two or more connection portions that can be connected to the other display units. The reference display unit constituting the apparatus and an overall control unit for controlling the display unit, and the control unit included in the reference display unit includes, for each connection unit, an orientation of the connection unit and other display units. The control unit included in the display unit generates information associating connection states with each other, and generates information indicating connection states of other display units for each connection unit, and the overall control unit displays the reference display. The arrangement state of the reference display unit and the display unit may be specified based on information generated by the control unit of the unit and the display unit.
In this case, based on the information generated by the control unit included in the reference display unit and the information included in the control unit included in the display unit, the overall control unit uses the reference display unit and the display unit each having two or more connection units. Since the reference display unit and the arrangement state of the display units in the display device are specified, the reference display unit and the position of each display unit can be specified after the display device is installed. Accordingly, an accurate tiling display can be realized by displaying an image on each display unit according to the position of the display unit including the reference display unit specified by the overall control unit. For this reason, the position of the display unit at the time of the installation work is not restricted, so that the burden of the installation work is greatly reduced.
In addition, since each display unit including the reference display unit has two or more connecting portions, in addition to the effects obtained by the above display device, the degree of freedom of the connection state of the display units is increased, and various types of display are possible. There is an advantage that the apparatus can be realized and the work at the time of installation becomes easier. Furthermore, when all the display units are provided with two or more connecting portions arranged facing one of the sides of the display panel, a rectangular display device can be obtained by connecting these display units side by side. Can be configured.

In the above configuration, the reference display unit and the display unit each store unique identification information, and the overall control unit is based on information generated by the reference display unit and the control unit of the display unit. The reference display unit and the identification information of the display unit may be associated with the arrangement state.
In this case, the reference display unit and each display unit store unique identification information, and the overall control unit associates the identification information of the reference display unit and each display unit with the arrangement state. Based on this, the reference display unit and each display unit can be specified individually. For this reason, since the reference display unit and each display unit can be individually controlled according to the position, tiling display and various display operations can be easily realized.

In the above configuration, the control unit included in the reference display unit detects a connection state of the other display unit in the connection unit while sequentially selecting the connection unit, and the other display unit is connected. In this case, identification information may be output and stored on the display unit.
In this case, identification information is input from the reference display unit and stored in the display unit connected to the reference display unit. For this reason, since identification information can be given after installation of a display apparatus, installation work can be performed without considering the position of the display unit or the like. In addition, a tiling display or the like can be easily realized by specifying and controlling the display unit based on the newly stored identification information.

In the above configuration, the control unit included in the display unit that stores the identification information input from the reference display unit detects the connection state of the other display units in the connection unit while sequentially selecting the connection unit. When the other display unit is connected, the reference display unit is requested to generate identification information, and the identification information transmitted from the reference display unit in response to the request is sent to the other display unit. It is good also as what is output and memorize | stored in a display unit.
In this case, identification information is input not only to the display unit connected to the reference display unit but also to other display units connected via this display unit, and this identification information is stored. Thereby, since identification information can be given to all the display units after the installation of the display device, the installation operation can be performed without considering the position of the display unit or the like. In addition, a tiling display or the like can be easily realized by specifying and controlling the display unit based on the newly stored identification information.

In the above configuration, the overall control unit may be a host computer externally connected to the display device.
In this case, the host computer externally connected to the display device identifies the reference display unit and the identification information and arrangement state of each display unit in the display device, and individually controls the reference display unit and each display unit according to the position. it can.

In the above configuration, the control unit included in the reference display unit and the display unit, when information addressed to another display unit is input from any of the connection units, It is good also as what outputs from a connection part.
In this case, since the reference display unit and the display unit have a function of transferring information addressed to other display units, the information to be transmitted to a specific display unit is transmitted via the connection part of the reference display unit and the display unit. It is sequentially transferred and reaches the destination display unit. For this reason, control information for controlling each display unit, image data to be displayed on each display unit, and the like can be transmitted to each individual display unit via the connection unit. There is no need to wire for transmission. As a result, it is possible to install the display device without confirming the position and direction of the display unit except for the direction of the reference display unit, and without additional wiring work on the installed display device. The tiling display can be performed by controlling each display unit individually.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is configured by connecting a plurality of display units, and the display unit is arranged with a rectangular display panel and facing one of the sides of the display panel. A connection unit connectable to the display unit, and a control unit that detects a connection state of the other display unit in the connection unit, and at least one of the plurality of display units includes the connection unit. There is provided a display device characterized in that the display device is configured as a reference display unit in which an installation direction is specified so as to face in a direction specified in any one of upper, lower, left, and right of the display panel.
According to this configuration, it is possible to easily install a display device by connecting a display unit having a connecting portion arranged facing one of the sides of a rectangular display panel to another display unit. it can. In this display device, the positional relationship between the reference display unit and other display units can be accurately specified after installation with the reference display unit as a reference. Therefore, when installing the display device, it is only necessary to align the direction of the reference display unit with the specified direction. Installation can be performed without worrying about the orientation and position of other display units. Can be installed with a very small work load.
Here, the display unit may be provided with two or more connection portions that are each arranged in the direction of one of the sides of the display panel and can be connected to other display units. In this case, the connection state and the positional relationship with other display units become more complicated, but by applying the present invention, the positional relationship between the reference display unit and the other display units can be accurately and easily specified. For this reason, in addition to the effects obtained by the above display device, the degree of freedom of the connection state of the display unit is increased, various types of display devices can be realized, and the work at the time of installation becomes easier. is there. Furthermore, when all the display units are provided with two or more connecting portions arranged facing one of the sides of the display panel, a rectangular display device can be obtained by connecting these display units side by side. Can be configured.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a display unit that is connected to another display unit to form a display device, and is arranged so as to face a rectangular display panel and any side of the display panel. A connection unit connectable to another display unit, and a control unit that detects a connection state of the other display unit in the connection unit, wherein the connection unit is located above, below, and on the left of the display panel. The display unit is characterized in that the installation direction is designated to face the designated direction on the right.
After installing the display unit configured in this way so that the connection portion faces the specified direction, it is connected to another display unit having a rectangular display panel, a connection portion, and a control portion in the same manner. A large display device can be configured. In this display device, one display unit installed in the specified orientation can be used even if installation work is performed without worrying about the orientation or position at the time of installation of the display unit. As a reference, the position of each display unit can be specified. Therefore, a display device capable of realizing tiling display or the like can be installed with a very small work load.
This display unit may be provided with two or more connecting portions that are arranged to face either side of the display panel and can be connected to other display units. In this case, the connection state and the positional relationship with other display units become more complicated, but by applying the present invention, the position of each display unit in a display device configured by connecting the display units is accurate and easy. Can be specified. For this reason, in addition to the effects obtained by the above display unit, there is an advantage that the degree of freedom of the connection state of the display unit is increased, various types of display devices can be realized, and the installation work is easier. is there. Furthermore, a rectangular display device can be configured by connecting only display units having two or more connecting portions arranged facing one of the sides of the display panel.

In order to solve the above problem, the present invention uses a display system including a display device configured by connecting a plurality of display units, and the display unit is a rectangular display panel or any one of the display panels. A plurality of the display units, each of which is arranged facing the direction of the side and includes a connection unit connectable to the other display unit, and a control unit that detects a connection state of the other display unit in the connection unit. When at least one of the units is configured as a reference display unit in which an installation direction is specified so that the connection portion faces any one of the upper, lower, left, and right directions of the display panel, The display system is characterized in that the reference display unit and an arrangement state of the display unit in the display device are specified on the basis of the direction of the connection portion of the reference display unit. To provide a method of controlling the beam.
According to this control method, when each display unit is connected in the vertical and horizontal directions of a rectangular display panel to form a display device, the positional relationship (arrangement state) between the reference display unit and the other display units in the display device is determined. It can be accurately identified. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a usage method in which the position of each display unit is specified after the display device is installed, and an image corresponding to the position of each display unit is displayed to perform tiling display. Therefore, when installing the display device, only the direction of the reference display unit needs to be adjusted to the specified direction, so installation work can be performed without worrying about the orientation and position of other display units. The workload can be greatly reduced.
In the display device provided in the display system to which this method is applied, each display unit including the reference display unit is arranged so as to face one of the sides of the display panel and can be connected to other display units. It is good also as a thing provided with these connection parts. In this case, the connection state and the positional relationship between the display units become more complicated, but by applying the present invention, the positional relationship of each display unit including the reference display unit in the display device can be accurately and easily specified. For this reason, in addition to the effects obtained by the above control method of the display system, there are two or more connection portions, so that the degree of freedom of the connection state of the display unit is increased, and various types of display devices can be realized. There is an advantage that the work of time becomes easier. Furthermore, when all the display units are provided with two or more connecting portions arranged facing one of the sides of the display panel, a rectangular display device can be obtained by connecting these display units side by side. And various images can be displayed in a rectangular display area.

  A control program for realizing this control method includes a magnetic recording medium such as a flexible disk and a hard disk device, a magneto-optical recording medium such as MO, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD ± R, DVD ± RW, DVD- It is good also as a form recorded on various recording media, such as optical recording media, such as RAM, and the memory | storage device using a semiconductor storage device, in the format which can be read by computer.

  According to the present invention, a display device configured by connecting a plurality of display units can be installed by a simple operation of adjusting only the direction of the reference display unit to a designated direction. The burden can be greatly reduced.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a display system 1 according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
A display system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a display panel 10 as a display device configured by connecting a master panel unit 2 (reference display unit) and a panel unit 3 as display units, and a display panel 10 via a communication line 11. And a host computer 4 connected to the computer.
The display panel 10 is configured by connecting at least one master panel unit 2 and one or more panel units 3. In the first embodiment, the display panel 10 includes one master panel unit 2 and eight panel units 3. An example will be described in which a rectangular display panel 10 is configured by connecting 3 columns in a row and 3 columns in a row.

2 is an external view showing the configuration of the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3, FIG. 2 (A) shows the configuration of the master panel unit 2, FIG. 2 (B) shows the configuration of the panel unit 3, FIG. 2C shows a configuration of a connecting portion between the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3.
As shown in FIG. 2 (A), the master panel unit 2 includes a rectangular display panel 27 housed in a rectangular housing 28 having substantially the same size as the display panel 27, and the surface of the master panel unit 2. Is almost entirely covered with the display panel 27. As shown in FIG. 2B, the panel unit 3 is a rectangular display panel 37 that is housed in a rectangular casing 38 that is substantially the same size as the display panel 37. The surface of the panel unit 3 is The display panel 37 covers almost the whole. Since the outer shapes and sizes of the housing 28 and the housing 38 are aligned, the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3 can be connected side by side in the vertical and horizontal directions.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2B, the master panel unit 2 includes four interfaces 26 (connecting portions) arranged in the respective directions of the upper, lower, left and right sides. Similarly, the panel unit 3 is provided with four interfaces 35 (connecting portions) arranged in the directions of the respective sides of the upper, lower, left and right sides. When the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3 are adjacent to each other, the interface 26 and the interface 35 are connected. When the panel units 3 are adjacent to each other, the interface 35 is connected to each other.
As a specific configuration of the interface 26 and the interface 35, for example, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 2C, a data bus, which will be described later, is provided by including a connector in which a concave portion and a convex portion are arranged. And the like are connected to each other. In the example of FIG. 2 (C), the connectors provided in the interfaces 26 and 35 have the same shape, and are arranged so that the concave portion is located on the right side and the convex portion is located on the left side. And the convex part always face each other. Although FIG. 2C shows an example in which the interfaces 26 and 35 are connected, the same applies when the interfaces 35 are connected.

  Examples of the display panels 27 and 37 include organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panels. Since the organic EL panel does not require a backlight or the like, the organic EL panel can be thinned and is particularly suitable for an application in which it is attached to a wall surface. The master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3 include a liquid crystal display panel, a plasma display panel, an FED (Field Emission Display) panel (including a surface-conduction electron-emitter display panel), an LED (light emitting diode) display, and the like. Various flat panel displays, electronic paper, and the like can be used, and it is not impossible to use a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube).

Further, as shown in FIG. 2A, the master panel unit 2 includes host connection interfaces 25 at the four corners. The host connection interface 25 is an interface connected to the host computer 4 via the communication line 11 as shown in FIG. Although the master panel unit 2 includes four host connection interfaces 25, any one of the host connection interfaces 25 only needs to be connected to the host computer 4. Therefore, the master panel unit 2 is most suitable for the installation state of the display panel 10. The host connection interface 25 that can easily connect the communication line 11 can be selected.
The communication line 11 is a wired or wireless communication line defined by IEEE standard 802.3, IEEE 802.11, etc., for example. Using this communication line 11, the host computer 4 and the master panel unit 2 are connected to a wired LAN (or wireless). LAN).

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing configurations of the master panel unit 2 and the host computer 4. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of the panel unit 3, FIG. 4A is a functional block diagram of the panel unit 3, and FIG. 4B is a configuration diagram of the interface 35.
As shown in FIG. 3, the installation directions of the four interfaces 26 included in the master panel unit 2 are designated, and are an upward interface 26A, a right interface 26B, a downward interface 26C, and a left interface 26D. . The master panel unit 2 needs to be installed such that the upward interface 26A is up, the right interface 26B is right, the down interface 26C is down, and the left interface 26D is left. Are attached with characters and symbols indicating the installation direction so that a contractor or the like can confirm the installation direction.
As shown in FIG. 4, the four interfaces 35 included in the panel unit 3 are arranged in directions corresponding to the four sides of the panel unit 3, and are respectively provided with an A direction interface 35 </ b> A, a B direction interface 35 </ b> B, and C. A direction interface 35C and a D direction interface 35D are provided. The directions at the time of installation of these four interfaces 35 are arbitrary. For example, it is allowed to install the panel unit 3 so that the A-direction interface 35A faces downward, as opposed to FIG.

The master panel unit 2 includes a control unit 20 that controls the entire display panel 10 together with display processing on the display panel 27. The control unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22 that stores various control programs executed by the CPU 21 and data related to these control programs, a RAM 23 that temporarily stores programs executed by the CPU 21, data to be processed, and the like. And a nonvolatile memory 24 that nonvolatilely stores data generated by the processing of the CPU 21.
The control unit 20 is individually connected to the upward interface 26A, the right interface 26B, the downward interface 26C, and the left interface 26D. The control unit 20 distinguishes these four interfaces 26 and inputs / outputs information to / from each interface 26. To do. Further, four host connection interfaces 25 arranged at the four corners of the master panel unit 2 are connected to the control unit 20. Further, the CPU 21 is connected to four host connection interfaces 25, and transmits / receives control information, image data, and the like to / from the host computer 4 via these host connection interfaces 25.
The nonvolatile memory 24 stores an ID as identification information unique to the master panel unit 2. In the first embodiment, as an example, a hexadecimal ID (= FF) is assigned to the master panel unit 2, and the CPU 21 is connected to the panel unit 3 connected to the interface 26 or the host connection interface 25. The ID (= FF) stored in the nonvolatile memory 24 is output to the connected host computer 4.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the panel unit 3 includes a control unit 30 that performs display processing and the like on the display panel 37. The control unit 30 includes a CPU 31, various control programs executed by the CPU 31, a ROM 32 that stores data related to these control programs, a RAM 33 that temporarily stores programs executed by the CPU 31, data to be processed, and the like. And a nonvolatile memory 34 that stores data generated by the processing of the CPU 31 in a nonvolatile manner.
The control unit 30 is individually connected to the A-direction interface 35A, the B-direction interface 35B, the C-direction interface 35C, and the D-direction interface 35D, and distinguishes these four interfaces 35 to transmit / receive signals to / from the individual interfaces 35. Etc.
Further, the nonvolatile memory 34 stores an ID as unique identification information given to the panel unit 3 in the process described later. Different IDs are assigned to the respective panel units 3 constituting one display panel 10, and the CPU 31 is nonvolatile in the master panel unit 2 and other panel units 3 connected to the interface 35 as necessary. The ID stored in the memory 34 is output.

FIG. 4B shows a configuration common to all the interfaces 26 and 35 in the display panel 10. As shown in FIG. 4B, the interfaces 26 and 35 are images displayed by the control information communication bus, the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3 in addition to the two power supply lines (Vcc). An image distribution bus for transmitting data is included. The control information communication bus includes a data line (data) for transmitting / receiving control information related to settings and the like between the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3 and between the panel units 3, and for synchronization. It is constituted by a clock signal line (CLK). In addition, the image distribution bus includes data lines (D +, D−) for transmitting and receiving image data of images to be displayed on the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3, and a clock signal line (CLK) for synchronization. Composed. A ground line (GND) is appropriately disposed between the power lines, data lines, and clock signal lines of the interfaces 26 and 35.
The control unit 20 performs input / output of control information via the control information communication bus of each interface 26 and input / output of image data via the image distribution bus. Similarly, the control unit 30 performs input / output of control information via the control information communication bus of each interface 35 and input / output of image data via the image distribution bus.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the host computer 4 temporarily stores a CPU 41, various control programs executed by the CPU 41, a ROM 42 storing data related to these control programs, a program executed by the CPU 41, data to be processed, and the like. Display RAM 43, storage unit 44 for storing data generated by the processing of CPU 41, input unit 45 for accepting input operation by a user or operator, contents input by input unit 45, processing result by CPU 41, and the like are displayed. And a communication interface 47 that transmits and receives various information and control information to and from the master panel unit 2 via the communication line 11, and these units are connected to each other via a bus 48.

The storage unit 44 included in the host computer 4 is a storage device configured using a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor storage element, and includes an initial setting program 44A, panel arrangement information 44B, an image data division display program 44C, Various programs and data including the data distribution program 44D are stored.
The initial setting program 44A is used when the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3 are connected and the display panel 10 is newly installed, or when the configuration of the display panel 10 is changed. This is a program executed to detect the arrangement state of the unit 3.
When the initial setting program 44A is executed by the CPU 41, a unique ID is assigned to each panel unit 3 in the display panel 10 by the functions of the host computer 4, the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3, and the panel arrangement information 44B is displayed. Generated.
The image data division display program 44 </ b> C is a program executed to divide one image according to the configuration of the display panel 10 and generate image data to be displayed on the master panel unit 2 and each panel unit 3. The data distribution program 44D is a program executed for individually transmitting image data, control information, and the like to the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the panel arrangement information 44 </ b> B is information that associates the positions of the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3 in the display panel 10 with the IDs of the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3. Further, the panel arrangement information 44B includes information for associating the vertical and horizontal directions of the display panel 10 with the configuration of the display panel 10. Therefore, from the panel arrangement information 44B illustrated in FIG. 5, the master panel unit 2 is arranged at the lower end of the display panel 10, the panel units 3 are arranged on the left and right of the master panel unit 2, and two rows of panel units are arranged thereon. 3 is arranged, and the display panel 10 is composed of nine panel units arranged in a total of 3 columns × 3 columns.

6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining processing for displaying an image on the display panel 10, FIG. 6A shows a state in which an image is displayed on the display panel 10, and FIG. 6B shows image data for display. It is a figure which shows a transmission state typically.
Image data of an image displayed on the display panel 10 is generated for each master panel unit 2 and panel unit 3 by the processing of the CPU 41 of the host computer 4. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the host computer 4 divides the display image P into, for example, nine parts in accordance with the number of panel units constituting the display panel 10, and each divided part. The image data for display is generated and transmitted. The ID of the panel unit that displays the image data is added to each image data.

Here, a transfer function executed by the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3 will be described. In the display panel 10, since the host computer 4 is connected only to the master panel unit 2, image data is transmitted from the master panel unit 2 to each panel unit 3, and control information is transmitted from the panel unit 3 to the host computer 4. For example, control information and image data need to be relayed by the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3. Therefore, the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3 have a function of transferring control information, image data, and the like.
When the master panel unit 2 receives control information, image data, or the like from the host computer 4 via the communication line 11, the master panel unit 2 refers to an ID added as a destination to the received control information, image data, or the like. If the destination ID is its own ID, the control information and the image data are temporarily stored in the RAM 23 and processed by the CPU 21, for example, a drawing process based on the received image data is executed to display the display panel. Display an image.

On the other hand, when the ID added as the destination to the control information or image data received via the communication line 11 is not its own ID, the master panel unit 2 is connected to all the interfaces 26 to which the panel unit 3 is connected. The control information and image data described above are output.
The master panel unit 2 has information that associates the ID assigned to the panel unit 3 with which interface 26 the panel unit 3 having the ID is connected to. When control information, image data, or the like to be transferred to the interface is received, it may be possible to specify from which interface 26 the control information, image data, or the like should be output.

The panel unit 3 has a function of transferring control information, image data and the like input from any one of the interfaces 35. Among the four interfaces 35, the panel unit 3 includes an interface 35 connected to the master panel unit 2 directly or via another panel unit 3, and an interface 35 connected to the panel unit 3 having the following ID. Information to be specified is stored in the nonvolatile memory 24.
When control information, image data, or the like is input from any of the interfaces 35, the panel unit 3 determines the destination ID. If the ID is an ID unique to the master panel unit 2 (for example, hexadecimal FF), the input control information, image data, and the like are output from the interface 35 connected to the master panel unit 2.
When the destination ID is an ID of a panel unit 3 other than itself, the panel unit 3 receives the input control information, image data, and the like from the interface 35 connected to the panel unit 3 having the next ID. Output. When the destination ID of the input control information or image data matches the own ID, the panel unit 3 stores the input control information or image data in the RAM 33 and processes it by the CPU 31.

Control information, image data, etc. transmitted from the host computer 4 to the panel unit 3 in this way are transferred from the master panel unit 2 to the panel unit 3 as shown in FIG. The data is sequentially transferred by each panel unit 3 and reaches the destination panel unit 3. Control information transmitted from the panel unit 3 to the host computer 4 or the master panel unit 2 is transferred by each panel unit 3 in the reverse order of the ID and received by the master panel unit 2. The
For example, the panel unit 3 (ID = 05) in FIG. 6B is not connected to the panel unit 3 having the next ID. Such a panel unit 3 is set to have no transfer destination during the initial setting operation.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a process in which an ID is assigned to each panel unit 3 constituting the display panel 10 in the initial setting process, and FIGS. 7A to 7H show each stage. For convenience of explanation, the number of panel units 3 and the position of the master panel unit 2 in FIGS. 7A to 7H are different from the configuration of the display panel 10 shown in FIG.
The initial setting process is performed when the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3 are connected and the display panel 10 is newly created, or when a partial configuration of the already created display panel 10 is changed. 2 is a process of detecting the arrangement state of the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3 in the display panel 10 under the control of No. 2. Before the start of the initial setting process, it is assumed that no ID is given to the panel unit 3 as shown in FIG. The master panel unit 2 is assigned an ID indicating the master (for example, the hexadecimal FF described above), but the ID of the master panel unit 2 is not shown because it is not used in the initial setting process.
In the initial setting process, the process of generating an ID to be assigned to the panel unit 3 may be performed by the CPU 21 (FIG. 3A) of the master panel unit 2 or the CPU 41 of the host computer 4. In the present embodiment, the master panel unit 2 will be described as performing an ID generation process.

  In the initial setting process, first, the master panel unit 2 performs a detection operation to detect the panel unit 3 connected to the interface 26. In this detection operation, the master panel unit 2 outputs a connection confirmation request from each interface 26, and when there is a response from any of the interfaces 26, the response is analyzed. If the responding panel unit 3 does not have an ID, an ID to be newly assigned is generated and output from the interface 26 to which the response is input, and the ID and the response are input. Information indicating the direction of the interface 26 is generated. If the responding panel unit 3 already has an ID, information indicating the ID and the direction of the interface 26 to which the response is input is generated. Further, for the interface 26 that has not responded within a predetermined time, information indicating that direction and that there is no panel unit 3 in that direction is generated.

In the detection operation of the master panel unit 2, the interface 26 is selected one by one in the order of the upward interface 26A, the right interface 26B, the downward interface 26C, and the left interface 26D, and a connection confirmation request is made. Output and determine the response.
In addition, the master panel unit 2 also causes the panel unit 3 to perform a detection operation to detect the presence / absence of connection with another panel unit 3, and assigns a new ID to the newly discovered panel unit 3. Then, information indicating the connection state of the panel unit 3 is generated.
Then, the master panel unit 2 generates configuration information indicating the arrangement state of the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3 in the display panel 10 and transmits the configuration information to the host computer 4. The host computer 4 generates the above-described panel arrangement information 44B based on this configuration information.

The panel unit 3 executes the above-described detection operation according to the control information from the master panel unit 2, and requests connection confirmation from the three interfaces 35 except the interface 35 to which the control information from the master panel unit 2 is input. Output. Here, the panel unit 3 selects one interface 35 from the three interfaces 35 one by one in the clockwise direction, outputs a connection confirmation request, and determines the response.
The panel unit 3 accepts responses from the three interfaces 35 that output the connection confirmation request, and each interface 35 has a response from the panel unit 3 to which no ID is assigned. The ID has already been assigned. The positional relationship (direction relationship) between each interface 35 and the interface 35 to which the control information from the master panel unit 2 is input is distinguished by the response from the panel unit 3 or the absence of a response within a predetermined time. Information to be shown is transmitted directly or via another panel unit 3. Then, when control information including an ID to be newly assigned is transmitted from the master panel unit 2 in accordance with this information, the control information is received and is newly sent to the panel unit 3 responding to the connection confirmation request. ID and an instruction to store the ID are output, and the ID is stored in the nonvolatile memory 34.
The reason why the interface 26 is selected one by one in the clockwise direction and the connection confirmation request is output is to provide an ID to the panel unit 3 that has made the response when there is a response to the connection confirmation request. It is. That is, by not simultaneously inputting responses from the plurality of panel units 3, the plurality of panel units 3 are not confused and given an ID, and the arrangement state of the panel unit 3 and the ID are accurately determined. This is because the correspondence can be specified.

  Further, when a connection confirmation request is input from the adjacent master panel unit 2 or the panel unit 3, the panel unit 3 performs a detected operation and outputs a response from the interface 35 to which the connection confirmation request is input. The response output by the detected operation includes information indicating whether or not an ID has already been stored in the nonvolatile memory 24, and information indicating the ID when the ID is stored. In response to this response, when an instruction to store an ID and a new ID are input from the interface 35, the panel unit 3 stores the input ID in the nonvolatile memory 24.

When the initial setting process is started in the state shown in FIG. 7A, the master panel unit 2 starts a detection operation and outputs a connection confirmation request from the upward interface 26A as shown in FIG. 7B. To do. Here, the panel unit 3 connected on the master panel unit 2 performs the detected operation, and responds to the master panel unit 2, and the master panel unit 2 responds to the ID (= 1). Is granted.
Subsequently, the master panel unit 2 interrupts its own detection operation and causes the panel unit 3 (ID = 1) to which the ID is assigned to execute the detection operation. With this detection operation, the panel unit 3 (ID = 1) outputs connection confirmation requests in order from the upper, right, and left interfaces 35 as indicated by arrows in FIG. Here, the panel unit 3 (ID = 1) does not output a connection confirmation request from the lower interface 35 connected to the master panel unit 2.

When it is determined that the panel unit 3 (ID = 1) is not connected to the panel unit 3 in addition to the master panel unit 2, the master panel unit 2 is interrupted after the operation of FIG. The detection operation that has been performed is resumed, and a connection confirmation request is output from the right direction interface 26B as shown in FIG. Here, the panel unit 3 connected to the right side of the master panel unit 2 performs the detected operation, and responds to the master panel unit 2, and the master panel unit 2 responds to the ID (= 2). Is granted.
Subsequently, the master panel unit 2 interrupts its own detection operation and causes the panel unit 3 (ID = 2) to which the ID is assigned to execute the detection operation. In this detection operation, the panel unit 3 (ID = 2) outputs a connection confirmation request from the upper, right, and lower interfaces 35. The panel unit 3 (ID = 2) does not output a connection confirmation request from the left interface 35 connected to the master panel unit 2. As shown in FIG. 7E, when there is a response from the lower interface 35 in the detection operation, the panel unit 3 (ID = 2) is assigned to the master panel unit 2 by the panel unit 3 to which no ID is assigned. Information indicating that it is connected is output, and a new ID (= 3) is generated by the master panel unit 2 and transmitted to the panel unit 3 (ID = 2). The panel unit 3 (ID = 2) outputs the ID (= 3) to the responding panel unit 3 and stores it in the nonvolatile memory 34.

The master panel unit 2 interrupts the detection operation of the panel unit 3 (ID = 2), and performs the detection operation by the panel unit 3 (ID = 3) as shown in FIG. During this detection operation, the panel unit 3 (ID = 2) performs a transfer operation between the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3 (ID = 3).
If there is no response from the other panel unit 3 in the detection operation of the panel unit 3 (ID = 3), the master panel unit 2 ends the detection operation of the panel unit 3 (ID = 3) and interrupts it. The detection operation by the panel unit 3 (ID = 2) that has been resumed is resumed. If it is determined in this detection operation that no other panel unit 3 is connected, the master panel unit 2 ends the detection operation of the panel unit 3 (ID = 2), as shown in FIG. Then, the self-detection operation is restarted, and detection confirmation requests are output in the order of the downward interface 26C and the left interface 26D. Here, when there is no response from the downward interface 26C and the left interface 26D, the master panel unit 2 ends its own detection operation.
Thus, in the initial setting process, the detection operation by the master panel unit 2 and all the panel units 3 is performed, and IDs are assigned to all the panel units 3 as shown in FIG. The master panel unit 2 generates configuration information indicating the IDs assigned to the panel units 3 and the arrangement state of the panel units 3 and transmits the configuration information to the host computer 4 to complete the initial setting process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the initial setting process described above.
When the display system 1 starts the initial setting process (step S11), first, the master panel unit 2 is set as the panel unit that performs the detection operation first (step S12).
The panel unit that performs the detection operation selects and sets the direction of the interface that outputs the connection confirmation request (step S13), outputs the connection confirmation request from the interface in the set direction (step S14), and within a predetermined time. It waits for a response (step S15).
Here, if there is a response to the connection confirmation request (step S15; Yes), the panel unit that performs the detection operation assigns an ID to the responding panel unit 3 in order to give an ID newly generated by the master panel unit 2. Output and store (step S16). Thereafter, the panel unit that performs the detection operation determines whether or not a connection confirmation request has been output from an omnidirectional interface to which a connection confirmation request is to be output (step S17). If there is (Step S17; No), the detection operation is temporarily interrupted, and the panel unit 3 to which a new ID is assigned is set as a panel unit that performs the detection operation (Step S18), and the process returns to Step S13.
If the panel unit that is performing the detection operation has output a connection confirmation request from the omnidirectional interface (step S17; Yes), the detection operation is terminated and the panel unit 3 to which a new ID is assigned is displayed. The panel unit performs the detection operation (step S19), and the process returns to step S13.

  If there is no response within a predetermined time from the interface that has output the connection confirmation request (step S15; No), the panel unit that performs the detection operation issues a connection confirmation request from the omnidirectional interface to which the connection confirmation request is to be output. It is determined whether or not the data has been output (step S20). If there is a direction in which a connection confirmation request has not yet been output (step S20; No), the process returns to step S13 to set an interface in the next direction and output a connection confirmation request. On the other hand, if the connection confirmation request is output from the omni-directional interface (step S20; Yes), the panel unit that performs the detection operation determines whether or not there is the detection operation in the suspended state ( If there is a detection operation in which any panel unit is interrupted (step S21), the original panel unit is set as a panel unit that performs the detection operation (step S22), and the interrupted detection operation is resumed by returning to step S13. Further, if there is no suspended detection operation, the detection operation is terminated. Then, the master panel unit 2 generates configuration information based on all detected panel units 3 and the assigned IDs, and transmits the configuration information to the host computer 4 (step S23). Arrangement information 44B is generated (step S24).

According to this configuration, similarly to the master panel unit 2 having the four interfaces 26 arranged so as to face the four sides of the rectangular display panel 27, similarly, it faces the four sides of the rectangular display panel 37. The display panel 10 is configured by combining the panel unit 3 having the four interfaces 35 arranged, and the interface 26 included in the master panel unit 2 includes an upward interface 26A whose right and left directions are designated, and a right interface. 26B, a downward interface 26C, and a left interface 26D.
In the display panel 10 configured as described above, the arrangement state of the master panel unit 2 and the other panel unit 3 can be accurately obtained with the master panel unit 2 as a reference.
Therefore, after the master panel unit 2 and the plurality of panel units 3 are connected, the position of each panel unit 3 can be accurately specified. Therefore, after the display panel 10 is installed, the position of each panel unit 3 is specified, and By transmitting the corresponding image data from the host computer 4, tiling display can be performed.
In particular, when the display panel 10 is installed, it is only necessary to align the direction of the master panel unit 2 with the designated direction, and the installation work can be performed without worrying about the orientation and position of the other panel units 3. The work burden at the time can be greatly reduced.

The control unit 20 of the master panel unit 2 determines the connection state of the other panel unit 3 for each interface 26, and the control unit 30 of the panel unit 3 determines the connection state of the other panel unit 3 for each interface 35. Therefore, based on these determination results, the control unit 20 functions as an overall control unit and can specify the arrangement state of the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3 in the display panel 10.
Furthermore, the master panel unit 2 and each panel unit 3 store unique identification information, and in the initial setting process, panel arrangement information 44B in which the arrangement state and ID in the display panel 10 are associated with each other is generated. Thereby, since the master panel unit 2 and each panel unit 3 can be individually controlled according to the position, tiling display and various display operations can be easily realized.

Further, in the detection operation of the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3, the connection state of the other panel unit 3 is detected while sequentially selecting the interfaces 26 and 35, and an ID is assigned as necessary. After the installation work, the panel unit 3 is specified and an ID is surely given, and individually controlled to easily realize tiling display or the like.
Since the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3 can execute a transfer operation for transferring control information and image data addressed to other panel units 3, information to be transmitted to a specific panel unit 3 The data is sequentially transferred via the interfaces 26 and 35 of the panel unit 3 and reaches the destination panel unit 3. For this reason, since wiring for transmitting control information and image data to each panel unit 3 is not necessary, tiling display and the like can be performed only by a simple operation of installing and connecting the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3. Can be installed.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. Since the display system 1 according to the second embodiment is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment described above except for the procedure of the initial setting process, the configuration is denoted by the same reference numerals and is illustrated and described. Is omitted.
FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a process in which an ID is assigned to each panel unit 3 constituting the display panel 10 in the initial setting process in the second embodiment, and FIGS. Indicates each stage. FIGS. 9A to 9B are diagrams for explaining the process. For convenience of explanation, the number of the panel units 3 and the position of the master panel unit 2 are shown in FIG. This is different from the ten configurations.

In the second embodiment, a unique ID is assigned to all panel units 3 at the time of shipment and stored in the nonvolatile memory 34.
For this reason, the panel unit 3 outputs the already stored ID when responding to the connection confirmation request in the detected operation. On the other hand, the master panel unit 2 or the panel unit 3 that performs the detection operation generates information that associates the interface that has responded with the ID input as the response.
Specifically, first, as shown in FIG. 9A, the master panel unit 2 performs a detection operation, and outputs connection confirmation requests from all the interfaces 26 simultaneously. On the other hand, all the panel units 3 directly connected to the master panel unit 2 each output a response including the stored ID to the master panel unit 2. The master panel unit 2 stores the correspondence between the ID input as a response and the interface 26 that has responded.
Subsequently, the control information is transmitted from the master panel unit 2 to execute the detection operation to all the responding panel units 3, and according to this control information, as shown in FIG. 3 performs a detection operation.
In this detection operation, each panel unit 3 outputs connection confirmation requests from all the interfaces 35. When an ID is input as a response to the connection confirmation request, the panel unit 3 transmits information indicating the correspondence between the ID input as the response and the interface 35 that has responded to the master panel unit 2.

In the first embodiment described above, when the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3 perform the detection operation, the interfaces 26 and 35 are selected one by one in the clockwise direction, and a connection confirmation request is sent from the selected interfaces 26 and 35. It was output. This is because even if the panel unit 3 is not assigned an ID, all the panel units 3 discovered by the detection operation are individually identified and the ID is surely assigned.
On the other hand, when all panel units 3 are assigned IDs in advance as in the second embodiment, when the panel unit 3 is discovered by the detection operation, the discovered panel unit 3 is identified as an ID. Therefore, it is possible to associate the direction of the discovered panel unit 3 with the ID. For this reason, in the second embodiment, the master panel unit 2 in the display panel 10 can be output from all the interfaces 26 and 35 at the same time (or substantially simultaneously) or at random regardless of the order even if connection confirmation requests are output. And the arrangement | positioning state of the panel unit 3 can be pinpointed correctly.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the initial setting operation in the second embodiment.
When the initial setting process of the display system 1 is started (step S31), the master panel unit 2 first starts a detection operation and outputs connection confirmation requests from all the interfaces 26 (step S32). The master panel unit 2 detects a response to the connection confirmation request in each interface 26, and generates configuration information based on the presence / absence and content of the response (step S33). The configuration information generated here is information in which the position of the panel unit 3 connected to the master panel unit 2 is associated with the ID of each panel unit 3.

Subsequently, the master panel unit 2 instructs each panel unit 3 responding with its own detection operation to execute the detection operation (step S34), and a connection confirmation request is received from the interface 35 by each panel unit 3. It is output (step S35). Based on the response to the connection confirmation request, each panel unit 3 determines the orientation of the interface 35 that responded and the positional relationship between the interface 35 connected to the master panel unit 2 and the ID of the panel unit 3 that responded. Is transmitted to the master panel unit 2 (step S36).
The master panel unit 2 determines whether or not the detection operation has been performed by all the panel units 3 constituting the display panel 10 (step S37). If there is a panel unit 3 that has not performed the detection operation, the master panel unit 2 performs the step Returning to S34, the panel unit 3 is instructed to execute the detection operation. Further, if the detection operation by all the panel units 3 has been completed (step S37; Yes), the master panel unit 2 starts a new operation based on the information transmitted from the panel unit 3 and the configuration information generated by itself. The configuration information is generated and transmitted to the host computer 4 (step S38). Receiving this configuration information, the host computer 4 generates panel arrangement information 44B and stores it in the storage unit 44 (step S39).

  As described above, according to the display system 1 according to the second embodiment to which the present invention is applied, in addition to the effects obtained by the first embodiment, the ID assigned in advance to the panel unit 3 is used. Thus, when the panel unit 3 is discovered by the detection operation, the discovered panel unit 3 can be individually specified by the ID. Thereby, even if connection confirmation requests are output from all the interfaces 26 and 35 simultaneously (or almost simultaneously) or randomly regardless of the order, the arrangement state of the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3 in the display panel 10 can be changed. Since it can specify correctly, the initial setting process for specifying the arrangement state of the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3 which comprise the display panel 10 can be performed at high speed.

  In the second embodiment, the master panel unit 2 generates a new ID for the panel unit 3 connected to the master panel unit 2 directly or via another panel unit 3, and this ID is used. You may memorize | store in the panel unit 3. FIG. Specifically, the master panel unit 2 generates a table that associates the ID stored in the panel unit 3 at the time of shipment with the ID generated by the master panel unit 2, and each panel unit 3 is in accordance with this table. Thus, a new ID may be transmitted. Further, if the ID stored in the panel unit 3 at the time of shipment and the ID newly generated by the master panel unit 2 are different IDs, there is no possibility of confusion of IDs. For example, the ID stored in the panel unit 3 at the time of shipment may be configured with a 10-digit number, and the ID newly generated by the master panel unit 2 may be configured with a 4-digit number.

In the first embodiment, the interfaces 26 and 35 are provided with connectors that engage with each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may include, for example, an infrared communication interface. Alternatively, it may be connected via a predetermined cable.
In the first and second embodiments, the configuration in which the interface 26 is attached to the housing 28 of the master panel unit 2 and the interface 35 is attached to the housing 38 of the panel unit 3 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the master panel unit or the main body of the panel unit may be attached to an interface previously provided on a wall or the like. Hereinafter, this example will be described as a third embodiment.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a display system 1 according to the third embodiment to which the present invention is applied. In the third embodiment, components similar to those of the display system 1 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and illustration and description thereof are omitted.
A display system 1A shown in FIG. 11 uses a master panel unit 2A in place of the master panel unit 2 and a panel unit 3A in place of the panel unit 3 and connects them to constitute a display panel.
The master panel unit 2A has a configuration in which a connector 29 is disposed on the back side of the housing 28 to which the display panel 27 is assembled. Further, the panel unit 3A has a configuration in which a connector 39 is disposed on the back side of the housing 38 to which the display panel 37 is assembled. The connectors 29 and 39 are connectors for outputting display signals and the like to the display panels 27 and 37.

On the wall 12 on which the display panel is disposed, a base portion 5 for mounting the master panel unit 2A and a base portion 6 for mounting the panel unit 3A are disposed side by side. The base unit 5 includes the control unit 20 described above, and includes an interface 51 connected to the base unit 6 in four directions. The orientation of the four interfaces 51 is designated as either up, down, left, or right, and the base portion 5 is fixed to the wall 12 so as to match this orientation. Further, the base unit 5 includes host connection interfaces 52 connected to the host computer 4 via the communication line 11 at the four corners.
On the other hand, the base unit 6 includes four interfaces 61 connected to the base unit 5 and the other base unit 6.
The base parts 5 and 6 have a substantially square case, and have interfaces 51 and 61 at positions corresponding to the four sides of the case. The four sides of the case of the base portions 5 and 6 coincide with the directions of the four sides of the housings 28 and 38, and the plurality of base portions 6 and the base portions 5 are arranged on the wall 12 in this direction.

A cable 70 connects the interface 51 included in the base unit 5 and the interface 61 included in the base unit 6, and the interface 61 and the interface 61. The cable 70 has a number of signal lines including a control information communication bus and an image distribution bus, similarly to the connectors of the interfaces 26 and 35 described above.
Further, the base portion 5 includes a connector 50 corresponding to the connector 29 provided on the housing 28, and the base portion 6 includes a connector 60 corresponding to the connector 39 provided on the housing 38.
When the display panel 10 is configured with the display system 1A configured as described above, first, the base portions 5 and 6 are arranged side by side on the wall 12, and the interface 51 of the adjacent base portion 5 and the interface 61 of the base portion 6 are arranged. The interface 61 and the interface 61 are connected by a cable 70. Subsequently, when the casing 38 is overlapped and connected to the base portion 6, the connector 39 and the connector 60 are connected to form the panel unit 3A. Similarly, when the casing 28 is overlapped on the base portion 5 and connected, the connector 29 and the connector 50 are connected to form the master panel unit 2A. At this point, the master panel unit 2A is connected to the panel unit 3A, and the panel units 3A are also connected to each other, and thus function in the same manner as the display panel 10 shown in FIG.

  In the configuration according to the third embodiment, the base portions 5 and 6 are disposed in the wall 12 in advance, so that there is an advantage that the construction is easy. In addition, since the base units 5 and 6 have the control units 20 and 30 built in, for example, when the display panels 27 and 37 are broken, deteriorated, or damaged, the casings 28 and 38 are simply replaced. There is an advantage that recovery can be performed without performing processing such as reassigning the IDs of the control units 20 and 30.

In the first to third embodiments, the master panel unit 2 having four interfaces 26 and the panel unit 3 having four interfaces 35 have been described as examples. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the master panel unit 2 is arranged at the corner of the display panel 10, the master panel unit 2 only needs to have at least two interfaces 26. Further, when the master panel unit 2 is arranged on the top, bottom, left, and right edges (ends) of the display panel 10, the master panel unit 2 only needs to have three interfaces 26. Similarly, the panel unit 3 may be provided with two interfaces 35 when arranged at the corner, and may be provided with three interfaces 35 when arranged at the upper, lower, left and right edges. By adopting a configuration including at least two or more interfaces 26 and 35, as described above, the degree of freedom in the connection state of the master panel unit 2 and the panel unit 3 is increased, and various types of display panels 10 can be realized. Furthermore, there is an advantage that work at the time of installation becomes easier. When the display panel 10 does not have to be rectangular, the master panel unit 2 or the panel unit 3 having only one interface 26, 35 can be used.
Further, the number of master panel units 2 and panel units 3 constituting the display panel 10 is arbitrary, and when a plurality of master panel units 2 constitute one display panel 10, any one of the master panel units 2 The operation may be performed in the same manner as the panel unit 3, or the other panel unit 3 may be divided into the same number of groups as the master panel unit 2 and the above-described processing may be executed for each group. In addition, the detailed configuration of the display system 1 described in the above embodiment can be arbitrarily changed.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the display system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is an external view which shows the structure of a master panel unit and a panel unit. It is a functional block diagram of a master panel unit and a host computer. It is the functional block diagram of a panel unit, and the block diagram of an interface. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the panel arrangement | positioning information which a host computer has. It is a figure explaining the process which displays an image on a display panel. It is a figure which shows the process of an initialization process typically. It is a flowchart which shows an initial setting process. It is a figure which shows typically the process of the initial setting process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the initial setting process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the display system in 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A ... Display system 2, 2A ... Master panel unit (reference | standard display unit) 3, 3A ... Panel unit (display unit), 4 ... Host computer, 5, 6 ... Base part, 10 ... Display panel (display apparatus) , 11 ... Communication line, 20, 30 ... Control unit, 21, 31 ... CPU, 24, 34 ... Non-volatile memory, 25 ... Host connection interface, 26, 35 ... Interface (connection part), 27, 37 ... Display Panel, 28, 38 ... casing, 41 ... CPU, 44B ... panel arrangement information.

Claims (10)

Provided with a display device configured by connecting a plurality of display units,
The display unit is
A rectangular display panel, and a connection part that is arranged facing one of the sides of the display panel and is connectable to the other display unit;
A control unit for detecting a connection state of the other display unit in the connection unit,
At least one of the plurality of display units is configured as a reference display unit in which an installation direction is specified such that the connection portion faces a specified direction of top, bottom, left, or right of the display panel. Was it,
A display system characterized by Each of the display units includes two or more connecting portions that are arranged to face either side of the display panel and can be connected to the other display units,
An overall control unit for controlling the reference display unit and the display unit constituting the display device;
The control unit included in the reference display unit generates, for each connection unit, information that associates the direction of the connection unit with the connection state of the other display unit.
The control unit included in the display unit generates information indicating a connection state of the other display unit for each connection unit,
The overall control unit specifies an arrangement state of the reference display unit and the display unit based on information generated by the control unit of the reference display unit and the display unit,
The display system according to claim 1. Each of the reference display unit and the display unit stores unique identification information,
The overall control unit associates the identification information of the reference display unit and the display unit with the arrangement state based on the information generated by the control unit of the reference display unit and the display unit;
The display system according to claim 2. The control unit included in the reference display unit detects the connection state of the other display unit in the connection unit while sequentially selecting the connection unit, and when the other display unit is connected, Outputting and storing identification information on the display unit;
The display system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein The control unit included in the display unit storing the identification information input from the reference display unit detects the connection state of the other display unit in the connection unit while sequentially selecting the connection unit, When the display unit is connected, the reference display unit is requested to generate identification information, and the identification information transmitted from the reference display unit in response to the request is output to the other display unit. To remember,
The display system according to claim 4. The overall control unit is a host computer externally connected to the display device;
The display system according to claim 2, wherein: The control unit included in the reference display unit and the display unit, when information addressed to another display unit is input from any of the connection units, the input information is output from the other connection unit. To do,
The display system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. It is configured by connecting multiple display units,
The display unit is
A rectangular display panel, and a connection part that is arranged facing one of the sides of the display panel and is connectable to the other display unit;
A control unit for detecting a connection state of the other display unit in the connection unit,
At least one of the plurality of display units is configured as a reference display unit in which an installation direction is specified such that the connection portion faces a specified direction of top, bottom, left, or right of the display panel. Was it,
A display device. In a display unit that is connected to another display unit to constitute a display device,
A rectangular display panel;
A connection part that is arranged facing the direction of any side of the display panel and is connectable to another display unit;
A control unit for detecting a connection state of the other display unit in the connection unit,
The installation direction is designated so that the connection portion faces the designated direction of the top, bottom, left, or right of the display panel,
A display unit characterized by Using a display system including a display device configured by connecting a plurality of display units,
The display unit is arranged in a rectangular display panel, facing a direction of one of the sides of the display panel, and connectable to another display unit, and the other display unit in the connection unit A control unit for detecting a connection state,
At least one of the plurality of display units is configured as a reference display unit in which an installation direction is specified so that the connection portion faces a specified direction of top, bottom, left, or right of the display panel. In case,
Specifying an arrangement state of the reference display unit and the display unit in the display device with reference to the direction of the connection portion of the reference display unit;
A display system control method characterized by the above.

Images