JP2009109671A - Image display system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image display system capable of easily building a multi-display without requiring for a user to input the layout of display devices and to set the display devices in a predetermined layout. <P>SOLUTION: The display devices 15 to build the multi-display 13 are configured to display the individually set identification numbers in a display device 52. The imaging device 14 is configured to pick up the multi-display 13 built by the display devices 15 with the identification numbers displayed therein. An external controller 12 is configured to specify the layout of the display devices 15 based on image information picked up by the imaging device 14, and transmit the predetermined position information to the display devices 15. The display devices 15 are configured to display the image information based on its own layout. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display system in which a plurality of display devices are combined to display image information on a multi-display that functions as a display in conjunction with each other.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing a conventional image display system 1. The image display system 1 displays image information on a multi-display 3 configured by combining a plurality of display devices 2. The multi-display 3 functions as one display in conjunction with a plurality of display devices 2. In FIG. 13, as an example of the image display system 1, a case where the multi-display 3 is configured by nine display devices 2 is illustrated.

  FIG. 13 (1) is a diagram schematically showing the arrangement of the display devices 2. FIG. 13B is a diagram schematically illustrating the wiring relationship of the image display system 1. In order to construct the image display system 1, first, the display device 2 is arranged at a predetermined position. FIG. 13 shows a state in which the display device 2 is arranged in a matrix of 3 rows and 3 columns. Hereinafter, m rows and n columns (the symbols “m” and “n” each represent an arbitrary positive integer) may be described as m × n. When each display device 2 is arranged at a predetermined position, each display device 2 is next connected by, for example, a serial cable 4. Specifically, the display devices 2 are sequentially connected by the serial cable 4 to form a so-called daisy chain connection. The display device 2 disposed at one end of the plurality of display devices 2 is connected to the external control device 5 via the serial cable 4. The external control device 5 is realized by a personal computer, for example.

  The external control device 5 transmits a command for assigning an ID via the serial cable 4 in order to assign an individual identification number (hereinafter referred to as ID) to each display device 2. For example, IDs 1 to 9 are sequentially assigned in order of connection of the display device 2. The connection order of the display devices 2 is input to the external control device 5 in advance, or is input to the external control device 5 by operating the input means. Therefore, the external control device 5 grasps the correspondence between the ID and the arrangement of the display devices 2.

  The external control device 5 transmits a command for notifying the arrangement of each display device 2, specifying the ID, in order to notify each display device 2 of the arrangement. Further, the external control device 5 transmits a command for notifying the distance between the display devices 2 by specifying the ID in order to notify the mutual interval between the display devices 2. When each display device 2 receives these commands, each display device 2 can grasp the relative positional relationship of each display device 2 in the plurality of display devices 2 by storing the received information.

  The external control device 5 inputs image information to each display device 2. Specifically, the external control device 5 inputs image information to the display device 2 whose ID is “1” that is directly connected by the serial cable 4. The image information input to the display device 2 whose ID is “1” is sequentially transmitted to the display devices 2 connected in a daisy chain. That is, the same image information is input to each display device 2. Since each display device 2 grasps its own position in the plurality of display devices 2, it displays an image to be displayed among the image information. Thereby, the plurality of display devices 2 integrally display one image and function as one display.

  In order to construct the image display system 1, as described above, it is necessary to grasp the correspondence between the ID for identifying each display device 2 and the arrangement of the display device 2 to which this ID is assigned. Therefore, in the first conventional technique, display devices arranged in a matrix are schematically displayed on a touch panel, and the user sequentially taps each display device using a stylus pen, whereby the ID of each display device, The correspondence with the arrangement is input (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In the second conventional technique, a plurality of display devices branched and connected from one data transmission cable are set as one group, and the display devices of the group are set as display devices belonging to the same column. Thus, the step of setting the column number of each display device is omitted (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  In the third conventional technique, each display device includes a signal input / output port to which an identifier is individually assigned. For example, identifiers representing arrangements such as “L (left)”, “R (right)”, “U (upper)”, “D (lower)” are assigned to signal input / output ports of each display device. Based on the identifier of each signal input / output port, the positional relationship of each display device is determined (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 2003-271118 A JP 2005-321427 A JP 2006-2111164 A

  In the first conventional technique, in order to construct an image display system, a user needs to input the arrangement relationship of each display device using a stylus pen.

  In the second conventional technique, since the plurality of display devices branched and connected from one data transmission cable are set in the same column, it is necessary to arrange each display device in a corresponding column. is there. That is, when a display device is arranged at an arbitrary position, an appropriate image is not displayed, so it is necessary to install the display device in a predetermined arrangement, and an image display system cannot be easily constructed.

  In the third conventional technique, it is necessary to install the display device in a predetermined arrangement as in the second conventional technique, and the image display system cannot be easily constructed.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image display system capable of easily configuring a multi-display without requiring the user to input the arrangement of the display device or installing the display device in a predetermined arrangement. It is to be.

The present invention is an image display system that displays image information on a multi-display that combines a plurality of display devices and functions as a display in conjunction with each other.
A plurality of display devices connected to each other by an information transmission medium that individually has a plurality of port portions to which the information transmission medium is connected and connects different display devices to each other;
An imaging device that captures an image displayed on each display device;
A control device for controlling a plurality of display devices,
Each display device
A receiving unit that receives an identification number input to the port unit via the information transmission medium;
A storage unit for storing the received identification number;
In accordance with a predetermined rule, the received identification number is changed so that the identification numbers of the respective display devices are different from each other, and the changed identification number is transmitted from a port unit different from the port unit to which the identification number is input. And
A display for displaying image information;
A display control unit that controls the display unit and displays the identification number stored in the storage unit on the display unit,
The control device further includes a detection unit that detects a relative position of each display device based on image information generated by an imaging device that images the display device that displays the identification number. It is.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that the control device further includes a notification unit for notifying each display device of a relative positional relationship of each display device in a plurality of display devices.

Furthermore, the present invention provides each display device,
A connection state detection unit for detecting a connection state with another display device connected via an information transmission medium;
When the connection state detection unit detects that the connection state with another display device connected via the information transmission medium has changed, the relative state of each display device from the notification unit to the control device is detected. And an arrangement monitoring unit that requests to notify a proper positional relationship.

Furthermore, the present invention further includes a connection state detection unit that detects a connection state with another display device connected via the information transmission medium,
When the connection state detection unit detects that the connection state with another display device connected via the information transmission medium has changed, the display control unit causes the display unit to display the identification number again. It is characterized by.

Further, in the present invention, when each display device displays an identification number on the display unit, display information indicating that the identification number is displayed on the display unit is given to the control device,
When the display information is given, the control device controls the imaging device to take an image displayed on each display device.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the detection unit detects that the arrangement of each display device is deviated from a predetermined position, the control device issues a command for correcting the display deviation of each display unit in accordance with the detected deviation. It is characterized by giving to the display device.

  According to the present invention, the plurality of display devices constituting the multi-display are connected together by the information transmission medium connected to the port unit. Each display device stores the received identification number in the storage unit when the receiving unit receives the identification number. Further, the received identification number is changed according to a predetermined rule, and the changed identification number is transmitted by the transmission unit from a port unit different from the port unit to which the identification number is input. As a result, when an identification number is input to the port portion of the display device arranged at one end of the plurality of display devices connected in a single connection, each identification device is sequentially identified in the order of connection to each display device connected by the information transmission medium. Is transmitted, and the identification number is stored in the storage unit of each display device. The identification number is changed every time it is transmitted from one display device to the other display device, and this change is performed according to a predetermined rule so that the identification numbers of the display devices are different from each other. In the storage unit of the device, a unique identification number different from that of the other display devices is stored. Furthermore, the display part of each display apparatus displays the identification number memorize | stored in the memory | storage part based on control of the display control part. That is, a unique identification number is displayed on each of the plurality of display devices constituting the multi-display.

  The imaging device captures an image displayed on each display device and generates image information. In the state where each display device displays an identification number, the image information generated by imaging by the imaging device includes information representing the arrangement of the display device to which each identification number is given. The control device includes a detection unit, and detects the relative position of each display device based on image information generated by an imaging device that images the display device that displays the identification number. In this way, each display device is assigned with an identification number, and by displaying this identification number on each display device, the arrangement of each display device can be detected. The arrangement of each display device can be detected without arranging each display device in the arrangement and the user does not input the arrangement of each display device.

  When the control device that controls each display device grasps the relative position of each display device, a plurality of display devices can function in conjunction with each other. Thus, an image display system that easily constitutes a multi-display can be realized without the user inputting the arrangement of the display device or installing the display device in a predetermined arrangement.

  According to the invention, the control device further includes a notification unit that notifies each display device of the relative positional relationship of the display devices in the plurality of display devices. Thereby, each display device can grasp its own relative positional relationship among a plurality of display devices independently, and each display device can display an image to be displayed by each display device according to the relative positional relationship. Can be selectively displayed.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, the display device includes a connection state detection unit that detects a connection state with another display device connected via the information transmission medium. By this connection state detection unit, each display device can detect this change when the connection state with another display device changes. Furthermore, the display device has an arrangement monitoring unit, and when it is detected that the connection state with another display device has changed, the relative positional relationship of each display device is determined from the notification unit to the control device. Request to be notified. In response to this request, the control device notifies each display device of the relative positional relationship, so that each time the connection state of each display device changes, each display device has its own relative position in the plurality of display devices. The positional relationship can be updated and stored, and an image to be displayed by each display device can be selectively displayed according to a change in the connection state of each display device.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, the display device includes a connection state detection unit that detects a connection state with another display device connected via the information transmission medium. By this connection state detection unit, each display device can detect this change when the connection state with another display device changes. Further, when the display device detects that the connection state with another display device has changed, the display control unit causes the display unit to display the identification number again. Since the detection unit detects the relative position of each display device based on the image information generated by the imaging device that images the display device that displays the identification number as described above, the control device can detect each display device. Each time the connection state changes, the relative position of each display device can be grasped, and a plurality of display devices can be linked to function as a display.

  Further, according to the present invention, when each display device displays an identification number on the display unit, it provides the control device with display information indicating that the identification number is displayed on the display unit. When the display information is given, the control device controls the imaging device to capture an image displayed on each display device. Thus, by giving display information from each display device to the control device, it is possible to inform the control device of the timing at which the imaging device captures images, and to cause the imaging device to generate image information in which the identification number is displayed on each display device. be able to.

  Further, according to the present invention, when the detection unit detects that the arrangement of each display device is deviated from a predetermined position, the control device instructs the display unit to correct the display deviation in accordance with the detected deviation. Is given to each display device. As a result, even if each display device is deviated from the predetermined arrangement position of each display device, each display device displays image information in accordance with this deviation, so there is no need to arrange each display device with high accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to easily construct an image display system. Further, even after the image display system is constructed, even if the display device is displaced from the position where the display device is installed due to, for example, an earthquake or contact with humans, the displayed image is corrected according to the displacement, so that the intended image is displayed. be able to.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image display system 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image display system 11 includes an external control device 12, a multi display 13, and an imaging device 14, and displays a predetermined image on the multi display 13.

  The multi-display 13 includes a plurality of display devices 15, and the plurality of display devices 15 function as one or a plurality of displays in conjunction with each other. The multi-display 13 according to the present embodiment includes nine display devices 15 arranged in a 3 × 3 matrix. Each display device 15 displays an image of a specific region in the image represented by the image information given from the external control device 12 according to its arrangement, and functions as one or more displays in conjunction with each other.

  The external control device 12 controls the multi display 13 and the imaging device 14. The external control device 12 is realized by, for example, a general-purpose or dedicated computer, and based on the arrangement image information representing the arrangement of the multi-display 13 generated by the imaging device 14 imaging the multi-display 13, each of the display devices 15 is provided. The position is detected, and each display device 15 is set according to the position of each display device 15. Further, the external control device 12 gives the multi-display 13 image information to be displayed on the multi-display 13. The external control device 12 and the multi-display 13 are configured to be communicable by wired communication or wireless communication, and are connected by a serial cable 17 used for serial communication in the present embodiment. The external control device 12 and the imaging device 14 are configured to be communicable by wired communication or wireless communication, and are connected by a serial cable 18 in the present embodiment. The external control device 12 in the present embodiment is further connected to the monitoring device via the LAN and the Internet, and notifies the monitoring device of the situation such as the setting and arrangement of the multi-display 13.

  Each display device 15 is realized and input by a cathode ray tube (abbreviated as CRT), a liquid crystal display (abbreviated as LCD), an EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, a plasma display (PDP), or the like. Display image information individually. Each display device 15 includes a plurality of port units, and in the present embodiment, includes at least a first port unit and a second port unit. Each display device 15 is connected together by an information transmission medium that connects different display devices 15 to each other. That is, the plurality of display devices 15 are connected in a daisy chain connection. Hereinafter, when a specific display device 15 among the plurality of display devices 15 is shown, the display device 15 connected to the external control device 12 via the serial cable 17 is counted from the external control device 12 as the first display device 15a. The display device 15 connected in the m-th order (the symbol “m” is an arbitrary positive integer) in the order of connection of the display device 15 may be referred to as the m-th display device 15. Specifically, the second port portion 54 of the mth display device 15 and the first port portion 53 of the (m + 1) th display device 15 are connected by the serial cable 16. Further, the first port unit 53 of the first display device 15 a and the external control device 12 are connected by the serial cable 17. Each display device 15 only needs to be connected in a daisy chain by a serial cable 16 and does not have to be in the connection order shown in FIG.

The imaging device 14 is arranged at a position where the entire multi-display 13 can be imaged, and images the multi-display 13 to generate image information. The imaging device 14 images the multi-display 13 at a timing instructed by the external control device 12 and gives the external control device 12 image information generated in response to a request from the external control device 12. The imaging device 14 includes a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor and a CCD (Charge).
A device capable of photoelectric conversion including a solid-state imaging device such as a coupled device) image sensor is realized. The imaging device 14 only needs to generate image information of the entire multi-display 13, and even if the entire multi-display 13 cannot be captured at a time, the imaging area is sequentially changed, and the entire multi-display 13 is captured by multiple imaging. May be imaged.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram mainly showing the configuration of the external control device 12. The external control device 12 includes a first central processing unit 21, a first internal storage unit 22, a first external storage unit 23, a first serial communication processing unit 24, and an image processing unit 25. .

  The first central processing unit 21 controls each unit of the external control device 12 by reading and executing a control program stored in the first external storage unit 23. The first central processing unit 21 is realized by, for example, a central processing unit (abbreviated as CPU).

  The image processing unit 25 processes image information on the multi-display 13 given from the imaging device 14. As will be described later, each display device 15 displays an individual identification number. When each display device 15 displays an identification number, the first central processing unit 21 controls the imaging device 14 to image the multi-display 13 and requests transmission of the generated image information. Therefore, the image processing unit 25 processes arrangement image information representing an image of each display device 15 in a state where an identification number set individually for each display device 15 is displayed. The image processing unit 25 performs pattern matching between the image represented by the arrangement image information and the recognition pattern 26 stored in advance in the first external storage unit 23, and gives the matching result to the first central processing unit 21.

  The first central processing unit 21 functions as a detection unit that detects the relative position of each display device 15 based on image information generated by the imaging device 14 that images the display device 15 that displays the identification number. Specifically, the relative position of each display device 15 is detected based on the above-described matching result given from the image processing unit 25. The first central processing unit 21 obtains the arrangement of the display devices 15 as a relative position in the present embodiment. That is, by analyzing the matching result, the first central processing unit 21 determines the number of rows and columns arranged in the display device 15 that displays a specific identification number in the plurality of display devices 15 arranged in a matrix. Identify. Furthermore, the first central processing unit 21 in the present embodiment also specifies the position of each display device 15 as the relative position of each display device 15. For example, a predetermined arrangement position is set for the arrangement of the plurality of display devices 15, and the first central processing unit 21 detects a deviation from the predetermined arrangement position based on the matching result.

  The first internal storage unit 22 stores information to be given based on the control of the first central processing unit 21, or gives the stored information to the first central processing unit 21 as required. In the present embodiment, the first internal storage unit 22 stores the number 27 of display devices 15 constituting the multi-display 13 and information 28 related to each display device 15. These pieces of information are generated by the first central processing unit 21 based on the matching result and given to the first internal storage unit 22. As the information 28 regarding each display device 15, for example, an identification number of the display device 15 (indicated as ID in FIG. 2), position information indicating the arrangement of the display device 15 corresponding to this identification number, and display And fine adjustment information indicating the degree of fine adjustment of display performed when the device 15 displays image information. The first internal storage unit 22 is realized by a RAM (Random Access Memory) that can read and write data at a higher speed than the first external storage unit 23, for example.

  The first external storage unit 23 stores information to be given based on the control of the first central processing unit 21, or gives the stored information to the first central processing unit 21 in response to a request. In the present embodiment, the first external storage unit 23 is a program 31 that is read and executed by the first central processing unit 21, the above-described recognition pattern 26 that is used for pattern matching, and information that represents the reproduced image 32 that is displayed on the multi-display 13. Remember. The first external storage unit 23 is realized by, for example, a hard disk drive (abbreviated as HDD).

  The first serial communication processing unit 24 is realized by including an encoder and a composite unit, and serial communication commands generated for the first central processing unit 21 to give to the multi-display 13 are predetermined serial communication standards. The electric signal is encoded to the multi-display 13 and supplied to the multi-display 13, and the electric signal supplied from the multi-display 13 is decoded into a signal according to a predetermined serial communication standard and supplied to the first central processing unit 21. The first central processing unit 21 gives a predetermined command to the multi-display 13 via the first serial communication processing unit 24 and the serial cable 17.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the display device 15. FIG. 3 shows one m-th display device 15 among the plurality of display devices 15. Since the plurality of display devices 15 constituting the multi-display 13 are devices having the same configuration, overlapping description will be omitted and only the configuration of one display device 15 will be described. Unless otherwise specified in the following description, each display device 15 is assumed to perform the same operation.

  The display device 15 includes a second central processing unit 41, a second internal storage unit 42, a second external storage unit 43, a second serial communication processing unit 44, a temporary storage unit 45, a video input terminal 46, Video signal processing unit 47, video signal output processing unit 48, scaling processing unit 49, internal pattern control unit 50, display processing unit 51, display device 52, first port unit 53, and second port Part 54.

The second central processing unit 41 controls each unit of the display device 15 by reading and executing a control program stored in the first external storage unit 23. The second central processing unit 41 is realized by, for example, a central processing unit (abbreviated as CPU). The second central processing unit 41 is not limited to a CPU, and can be programmed with a programmable FPGA (Field
Programmable Gate Array), integrated circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) designed and manufactured for a specific application, and a circuit having an arithmetic function capable of controlling each part of the display device 15 Good.

Based on the control of the second central processing unit 41, the second internal storage unit 42 stores information to be given, or gives the stored information to the second central processing unit 41 in response to a request. The second internal storage unit 42 is realized by a RAM capable of reading and writing data at a higher speed than the second external storage unit 43, for example. The second internal storage unit 42 in the present embodiment transfers data to and from the second central processing unit 41. The second internal storage unit 42 and each unit that should transfer data are connected by a bus, 2 DMA (Direct Memory) without going through the central processing unit 41
Data transfer may be performed directly using the Access method.

  Based on the control of the second central processing unit 41, the second external storage unit 43 stores information to be given, or gives the stored information to the second central processing unit 41 in response to a request. The second external storage unit 43 in the present embodiment has a data storage unit that stores data and a program storage unit that stores a control program read by the second central processing unit 41, and is configured by a nonvolatile memory. Realized. The data storage unit and the program storage unit in the present embodiment are realized by different storage systems or different storage devices. The program storage unit may be rewritable or non-rewritable data to be stored.

  The second serial communication processing unit 44 is realized by including an encoder and a composite unit, and the signal given by the second central processing unit 41 to the external control device 12 or other display device 15 is set to a predetermined serial communication standard. A signal in accordance with a serial communication standard that is encoded in accordance with the electrical signal and applied to the first and second port units 53 and 54, and the electrical signal applied from the first and second port units 53 and 54 is predetermined. And is given to the second central processing unit 41 to function as a so-called transmission / reception unit.

The video input terminal 46 is a DVD (Digital) that outputs video signals representing video and audio.
Versatile Disk) is connected to a playback device such as a player and a video device, and a video signal is input. For example, (1) 1-wire Y / C signal, (2) 2-wire Y / C signal, (3) 3-wire YUV signal, (4) 3-wire RGB Signal, (5) RGB 3-wire signal plus sync signal 1 line, (6) RGB 3-wire signal plus sync signal 2 lines, (7) YUV 3-wire signal sync signal 1 line Added signal, (8) YUV 3-wire type signal plus synchronization signal 2 line, (9) TMDS or the like signal obtained by decoding one of the signals from (5) to (8), At least one of the signals is input. The video input terminal 46 gives the video signal supplied from the playback device to the temporary storage unit 45.

  The temporary storage unit 45 temporarily stores a video signal input from the second serial communication processing unit 44 or the video input terminal 46, and also includes a second central processing unit 41, a video signal processing unit 47, and a video signal output processing unit. 48, the scaling processing unit 49 and the internal pattern control unit 50 temporarily store data for display processing and display processing processing of the video signal.

  The video signal processing unit 47 separates the input video signal into an RGB signal or YUV signal, a horizontal synchronization signal, and a vertical synchronization signal, and temporarily stores them in the temporary storage unit 45.

  The video signal output processing unit 48 performs temporal and spatial filtering on the input video signal to remove noise and change the brightness to improve the image quality. Is processed.

  The scaling processing unit 49 performs scaling processing for enlarging or reducing the video signal subjected to the processing of the video signal processing unit 47 and the video signal output processing unit 48 at an arbitrary enlargement ratio. In the course of the scaling process performed by the scaling processing unit 49, the video signal may be processed by performing a filtering process.

  The internal pattern control unit 50 generates a video signal for causing the display device 52 to display image information regardless of the video signal input from the second serial communication processing unit 44 or the video input terminal 46. The video signal generated by the internal pattern control unit 50 includes a signal representing an image and a synchronization signal, and an image based on the video signal is displayed on the display device 52. The image generated by the internal pattern control unit 50 includes characters and figures such as numerals, hiragana, kanji and romaji, and includes an identification number, for example.

  The display processing unit 51 is a video that is provided from the video input terminal 46, the video signal processing unit 47, the video signal output processing unit 48, the scaling processing unit 49, and the internal pattern control unit 50 to the temporary storage unit 45 and temporarily stored. Based on the control of the second central processing unit 41, the signal is converted into a signal in a format that can be received by the display device 52 and provided to the display device 52.

  The display device 52 corresponds to a display unit, receives a signal given from the display processing unit 51, converts the received electrical signal into an image, and displays it visually. The display device 52 corresponds to a part of the display device such as the above-described CRT, LCD, EL display, and PDP that converts an electrical signal into a visible image and displays it.

  The image display system 11 according to the present embodiment assigns a unique identification number to each of the plurality of display devices 15. Operations of the external control device 12 and the multi-display 13 when assigning an identification number to each display device 15 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing of the external control device 12 when assigning an identification number to each display device 15. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of the first display device 15a connected to the external control device 12 via the serial cable 17 when assigning an identification number. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing of the second to sixteenth display devices 15 that are not connected to the external control device 12 by the serial cable 17 when assigning an identification number.

  First, the operation of the external control device 12 will be described. When the image display system 11 starts the process of assigning an identification number, the process proceeds from step a0 to step a1, and the first central processing unit 21 controls the first serial communication processing unit 24 to execute the ID setting command “ x "is transmitted. Next, the process proceeds to step a2, and the processing of the external control device 12 is terminated. As described above, since the external control device 12 and the first display device 15 a are connected by the serial cable 17, the command “x” is given to the first display device 15 a via the serial cable 17. The ID setting command “x” is a command used to set individual identification numbers for all the display devices 15 constituting the multi-display 13.

  Next, the operation of each display device 15 will be described. When the external control device 12 transmits an ID setting command “x”, the first display device 15a proceeds from step b0 to step b1. In step b1, the second serial communication processing unit 44 of the first display device 15a receives the ID setting command “x” input to the first port unit 53 via the serial cable 17, and receives the second central processing unit. 41, and the process proceeds to step b2.

  In step b2, the second central processing unit 41 sets the identification number of itself (first display device 15a) to (x). Here, (x) represents an identification number. In the case of an ID setting command “x”, the initial value is set to an arbitrary integer (a). Accordingly, in the first display device 15a, the ID setting command “x” corresponds to the identification number (a) input to the port unit via the information transmission medium, and the first port unit 53 and the second serial communication The processing unit 44 corresponds to a receiving unit that receives a port unit and an identification number, respectively. Further, not only the first display device 15 but also other display devices 15, the first port unit 53 and the second serial communication processing unit 44 correspond to the port unit and the receiving unit, respectively. The second central processing unit 41 stores (a) as its own identification number in the area for storing the identification number of the second internal storage unit 42, and proceeds to step b3.

  In step b3, the second central processing unit 41 updates the value obtained by adding (a) to (x) as a new (x). Specifically, (x) before updating is 1 × (a), and (x) after updating is 2 × (a). Next, the process proceeds to step b4.

  In step b4, the second central processing unit 41 of the first display device 15 controls the second serial communication processing unit 44 to specify the ID for the second display device 15 connected next by the serial cable 16. Command “Y (x)” is transmitted from the second port unit 54, the process proceeds to step b5, and the process is terminated. The display device 15 to be connected next in the present embodiment is the display device 15 connected to the second port portion 54 of the display device 15 via the serial cable 16, and the next display of the m-th display device 15. The device 15 represents the (m + 1) th display device 15. Therefore, the display device 15 next to the first display device 15a is the second display device 15. In step b4, the ID “command (Y (x)) is assigned to the second display device 15 as the next display device 15. Is sent. Therefore, the second central processing unit 41 functions as a means for changing the received identification number so that the identification numbers of the respective display devices are different from each other according to a predetermined rule, and the second serial communication processing unit 44 is changed. This identification number corresponds to a transmission unit that transmits from the second port unit 54 different from the first port unit 53 to which the identification number is input. In this embodiment, (a) is sequentially added to the identification number as a predetermined rule. However, the identification numbers of the display devices may be set to be different from each other, and (a) is sequentially subtracted, sequentially multiplied, and sequentially. You may make it divide.

  Next, the second to sixteenth display devices 15 different from the first display device 15a directly connected to the external control device 12 will be described. Since the processes of the second to sixteenth display devices 15 are the same, only one arbitrary mth display device 15 among the second to sixteenth display devices 15 will be described. When the ID designation command “Y (x)” is input to the first port unit 53 via the serial cable 16, the process proceeds from step c0 to step c1.

  In step c1, the second serial communication processing unit 44 of the m-th display device 15 receives the ID designation command “Y (x)” input to the first port unit 53 via the serial cable 17, and 2 to the central processing unit 41, and the process proceeds to step c2.

  In step c2, the second central processing unit 41 sets the identification number of itself (the m-th display device 15) to (x). Specifically, the second central processing unit 41 stores (x) as an identification number of itself (the m-th display device 15) in an area where the identification number of the second internal storage unit 42 is stored. As will be described later, the identification number (x) set by the m-th display device 15 is m × (a). That is, (x) of the ID designation command “Y (x)” received in step c1 is set to m × (a). Next, the process proceeds to step c3.

  In step c3, the second central processing unit 41 of the m-th display device 15 determines whether or not the next display device 15 is connected. The next display device 15 is the (m + 1) th display device 15. Whether or not the m-th display device 15 and the (m + 1) -th display device 15 are connected via the serial cable 16 is established, for example, by communication from the m-th display device 15 to the (m + 1) -th display device 15. It is only necessary to transmit a command for confirming whether or not the response has been received. If it is determined that the (m + 1) th display device 15 is connected as the next display device 15, the process proceeds to step c4.

  In step c4, the second central processing unit 41 updates the value obtained by adding (a) to (x) as a new (x). Specifically, (x) before updating is m × (a), and (x) after updating is (m + 1) × (a). Next, the process proceeds to step c5. In step c5, the second central processing unit 41 of the m-th display device 15 controls the second serial communication processing unit 44, and with respect to the (m + 1) -th display device 15 connected next by the serial cable 16, An ID designation command “Y (x)” is transmitted from the second port unit 54, and the process proceeds to step c6 to end the process.

  If it is determined in step c3 that the next display device 15 is not connected, the process proceeds to step c6 and the process is terminated. In the present embodiment, it is determined in step c3 whether or not the next display device 15 is connected, and the terminal display device 15 does not transmit a signal and proceeds to step c6 to end the process. Even the display device 15 may transmit a signal without making the determination in step c3.

  When the external control device 12 and each display device 15 perform the processes shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, m × (a) is set as the identification number in the m-th display device 15. For example, if the initial value (a) is a numerical value “1”, the m-th display device 15 is set to “m” as the identification number.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing in which the external control device 12 detects the relative position of each display device 15. When the identification number is set for each display device 15, the external control device 12 next detects the relative position of each display device 15. When the external control device 12 starts a process of detecting the relative position of each display device 15, the process proceeds from step d0 to step d1.

  In step d1, the first central processing unit 21 controls the first serial communication processing unit 24 to transmit the command “Z” for ID display. This ID display command “Z” is a command for displaying an identification number individually set for each display device 15, and is displayed on the first display device 15 a connected to the external control device 12. It is transmitted and sequentially transferred in the order of connection of the display device 15. Next, the process proceeds to step d2.

  In step d2, the first serial communication processing unit 24 receives the serial signal and proceeds to step d3. In step d3, has the first central processing unit 21 received a signal (hereinafter referred to as “display end”) indicating that the identification number has been displayed from all the display devices 15 constituting the multi-display 13 in step d2? Judge whether or not. This “display end” corresponds to display information indicating that the identification number is displayed. As will be described later, when each display device 15 receives the ID display command “Z” and displays the identification number, it transmits “display end” to the external control device 12. If there is a display device 15 that has not received “display end”, the process proceeds to step d2, and the process of step d2 is repeated until all “display end” are received. When the first central processing unit 21 determines that “display end” has been received, the process proceeds to step d4.

  In step d <b> 4, the first central processing unit 21 controls the imaging device 14 via the first serial communication processing unit 24 to cause the imaging device 14 to capture the multi-display 13, and to capture the captured image information in the imaging device 14. Request. Since the multi-display 13 is imaged after receiving “display end” from all the display devices 15, the identification number of each display device 15 is surely shown in the image captured by the imaging device 14. Next, the process proceeds to step d5.

  In step d5, the image processing unit 25 performs pattern matching on the image information generated by imaging by the imaging device 14, recognizes each identification number, and gives the result to the first central processing unit 21. Move to d6. In step d6, the first central processing unit 21 detects the position of each display device 15 and a deviation from a predetermined position based on the result of pattern matching, and stores the detection result in the first internal storage unit 22. Specifically, by detecting the position where the identification number is displayed on the display device 52, the number of rows and the number of columns of the display device 15 constituting the multi-display 13 is grasped, and the identification number of each display device 15 The number of rows and the number of columns in which each display device 15 is arranged can be stored in association with each other, and the deviation of each display device 15 from a predetermined position can be stored. The display device 15 in the present embodiment displays the identification number as a numerical value and performs pattern matching based on this display image. However, the display device 15 is not limited to the numerical value, and identification information such as a two-dimensional barcode and a QR code is displayed. The display device 15 may display an image including the pattern and perform pattern matching. Next, the process proceeds to step d7, and the first central processing unit 21 determines whether or not the processes of steps d5 and d6 have been performed on all the display devices 15, and if not, the process proceeds to step d5. The processes of step d5 and step d6 are repeated. When the processes of step d5 and step d6 are performed on all the display devices 15 to detect the positions of all the display devices 15 and the predetermined positions and store the detection results, the process proceeds to step d8.

  In step d8, the first central processing unit 21 designates each identification number for each display device 15 via the first serial communication processing unit 24, and obtains position information and fine adjustment information for each display device 15. Send. That is, the first central processing unit 21 and the first serial communication processing unit 24 function as a notification unit that notifies each display device 15 of the relative positional relationship of each display device 15 in the plurality of display devices 15. When each display device 15 displays an image according to each arrangement, the multi-display 13 can display an image intended by each display device 15 as a unit. Since each display device 15 in the initial setting displays image information as being arranged at a predetermined position, if each display device 15 is arranged at a predetermined position, an intended image is displayed on the multi-display 13. However, if they are arranged out of a predetermined position, the intended image is not displayed on the multi-display 13. Therefore, the first central processing unit 21 creates fine adjustment information for correcting the display shift of each display unit based on the shift of each display device 15 from a predetermined position, and gives the fine adjustment information to each display device 15. . The position information and fine adjustment information are stored in the first internal storage unit 22. When the position information and fine adjustment information are transmitted, the process proceeds to step d9 and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the process performed by the display device 15 in accordance with the process of the external control device 12 when the external control device 12 performs the process of detecting the relative position of each display device 15. When the external control device 12 transmits an ID display command “Z”, the process proceeds from step e0 to step e1. In step e1, the second serial communication processing unit 44 receives the serial signal and proceeds to step e2. In step e2, the second central processing unit 41 confirms whether or not the received serial signal is an ID display command “Z”, and if it is not an ID display command “Z”, the process proceeds to step e1. The process of step e1 is repeated. If the ID display command “Z” is received in step e2, the process proceeds to step e3.

  In step e <b> 3, upon receiving the ID display command “Z”, the second central processing unit 41 controls the display device 52 to display the identification number of the m-th display device 15 on the display device 52. Specifically, the second central processing unit 41 reads the identification number (m × (a) in the present embodiment) stored in the second internal storage unit 42, and uses the read identification number as the internal pattern control unit. The image information is converted into image information by 50, and the converted image information is given to the display device 52 via the temporary storage unit 45 and the display processing unit 51. As a result, the identification number is displayed on the display device 52, and the process proceeds to step e4. That is, the second central processing unit 41, the internal pattern control unit 50, the temporary storage unit 45, and the display processing unit 51 cooperate to control the display device 52 corresponding to the display unit and It functions as a display control unit that causes the display device 52 to display the identification number stored in the internal storage unit 42.

  In step e <b> 4, the second central processing unit 41 controls the second serial communication processing unit 44 to transmit “display end” from the first port unit 53 as a serial signal to the external control device 12. The “display end” serial signal transmitted in step e 4 is given to the external control device 12 via the other display device 15. However, in the case of the first display device 15 a, the “display end” serial signal is directly given to the external control device 12 without going through another display device 15. Next, the process proceeds to step e5.

  In step e5, the second central processing unit 41 determines whether or not the next display device 15 is connected. If it is determined that the next display device 15 is connected, the process proceeds to step e6. The next display device 15 is the (m + 1) th display device 15 in the present embodiment. In step e <b> 6, the second central processing unit 41 controls the second serial communication processing unit 44 to cause the next display device 15 to transmit an ID display command “Z”. As a result, the ID display command “Z” is sequentially transferred and transmitted to all the display devices 15.

  If it is determined in step e5 that the next display device 15 is connected, the process proceeds to step e7. When the next display device 15 is not connected, the m-th display device 15 is a terminal display device 15 disposed at one end of the plurality of display devices 15 opposite to the first display device 15. There is a ninth display device 15 in this embodiment. In step e7, the second central processing unit 41 controls the second serial communication processing unit 44 to indicate that the “display end” transmitted in step e4 to the external control device 12 is the last “display end”. The signal to represent is transmitted. By receiving this signal, the external control device 12 can confirm that “display end” has been received from all the display devices 15. Next, the process proceeds to step e8.

  In step e8, the second serial communication processing unit 44 receives the serial signal and proceeds to step e9. In step e9, the second central processing unit 41 determines whether or not the received serial signal is a serial signal designating itself (m-th display device 15), and if it is a serial signal designating another display device 15. The process proceeds to step e8, and the process of step e8 is repeated. If it is determined in step e9 that a serial signal designating itself (m-th display device 15) is received, the process proceeds to step e10.

  In step e <b> 10, the second central processing unit 41 receives position information and fine adjustment information for designating itself (the m-th display device 15) and stores it in the second internal storage unit 42. The position information and fine adjustment information are signals transmitted from the external control device 12 in step d8 in FIG. Next, the process proceeds to step e11.

  In step e11, the second central processing unit 41 sets the display of the display device 52 based on the received position information and fine adjustment information. Since the same video information is input from the external control device 12 to each display device 15 in the present embodiment, an area is selected from the same video according to the arrangement and a part of the video is displayed. . The second central processing unit 41 sets which area of the video is to be selected and displayed based on the received position information. Further, the second central processing unit 41 performs setting so as to perform fine adjustment of the display area so as to correct the displacement of the arrangement from the predetermined position based on the fine adjustment information. Next, the process proceeds to step e12 to end the process.

  The setting of the image display system 11 is completed when the external control device 12 and each display device 15 perform the processes of FIGS. 7 and 8 respectively. Next, processing for displaying an image on the multi-display 13 of the image display system 11 that has been set will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process in which each display device 15 displays image information. When a video signal is input from the external control device 12 to the multi-display 13, the process proceeds from step f0 to step f1. In the present embodiment, a video signal is directly input to the first display device 15 from the external control device 12, but a display device 15 different from the first display device 15 receives a video via each other display device 15. A signal is input. The video signal is input via the serial cable 16 and the first port unit 53 and received by the second serial communication processing unit 44.

  In step f1, the video signal processing unit 47 reads a display image from the video signal, and proceeds to step f2. In step f2, the video signal processing unit 47 and the scaling processing unit 49 process the read image into an image to be displayed based on the position information and the fine adjustment information. As described above, since the external control device 12 gives the same video signal to each display device 15, each display device 15 displays a part of the display image according to its own position. A display image to be displayed is generated by the process of step f2. In step f3, the display device 52 displays the image generated in step f2, and proceeds to step f4.

  In step f4, the second central processing unit 41 determines whether or not to end the image display. The end of the image display is determined by, for example, receiving a signal for instructing the end of the image display from the external control device 12 or not receiving the video signal. If it is determined that the image display is to be continued, the process proceeds to step f1, and the processes of steps f1 to f4 are repeated again. If it is determined that the display of the image is to be ended, the display of the image is ended, and the process proceeds to step f6 to end the processing for displaying the image information.

  According to the image display system 11 of the present embodiment described above, unique identification numbers different from those of the other display devices 15 are stored in the second internal storage unit 42 of each display device 15. Further, the display device 52 of each display device 15 displays the identification number stored in the second internal storage unit 42. That is, a unique identification number is displayed on each of the plurality of display devices 15 constituting the multi-display 13.

  The imaging device 14 captures an image displayed on each display device 15 and generates image information. In the state where each display device 15 displays an identification number, the image information generated by imaging by the imaging device 14 includes information indicating the arrangement of the display device 15 to which each identification number is given. . The external control device 12 detects the relative position of each display device 15 based on the image information generated by the imaging device 14. In this way, by assigning an identification number to each display device 15 in a state where each display device 15 is arranged, and further displaying this identification number on each display device 15, the arrangement of each display device 15 can be detected. Therefore, the arrangement of each display device 15 can be detected without arranging each display device 15 in an arbitrary arrangement and the user does not input the arrangement of each display device 15.

  When the external control device 12 that controls each display device 15 grasps the relative position of each display device 15, the plurality of display devices 15 can function together as a multi-display 13. Thus, an image display system that easily configures the multi-display 13 can be realized without the user inputting the arrangement of the display device or installing the display device 15 in a predetermined arrangement.

  In addition, since the external control device 12 in the present embodiment notifies each display device 15 of the relative positional relationship of the display devices 15 in the plurality of display devices 15, each of the display devices 15 is independently provided. It is possible to grasp the relative positional relationship of the display device 15 itself, and each display device 15 selectively displays an image to be displayed by each display device 15 according to the relative positional relationship. Can do.

  Furthermore, each display device 15 in the present embodiment gives a signal “display end” to the external control device 12 indicating that the identification number is displayed when the identification number is displayed on the display device 52. When “display end” is given, the external control device 12 controls the imaging device 14 to capture an image displayed on each display device 15. In this way, by giving “display end” from each display device 15 to the external control device 12, it is possible to notify the external control device 12 of the timing at which the imaging device 14 takes an image, and an identification number is displayed on each display device 15. The image information can be generated by the imaging device 14.

  Furthermore, according to the external control device 12 in the present embodiment, when it is detected that the arrangement of each display device 15 is deviated from a predetermined position, a command for correcting the display displacement of each display unit in accordance with the detected displacement. Is given to each display device 15 as fine adjustment information. Accordingly, even if each display device 15 is deviated from the predetermined arrangement position of each display device 15, each display device 15 displays image information in accordance with this deviation, so each display device 15 is arranged with high accuracy. Thus, the image display system 11 can be easily constructed. Further, after the image display system 11 is constructed, even if the display device 15 is displaced from the position where the display device 15 is installed due to, for example, an earthquake or a human contact, the displayed image is corrected according to the displacement. Can be displayed.

  After the setting of the image display system 11 is completed, the connection state of the display device 15 may be changed by changing the arrangement of the display device 15 or disconnecting the serial cable 16. In the image display system 11 of the present embodiment, when the connection state of the display device 15 changes, a change in the connection state is detected, and processing according to the change in the connection state is performed.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing in which the display device 15 notifies the external control device 12 of a change in the connection state. Each display device 15 performs the process of notifying the connection state independently. The m-th display device 15 performs the process shown in FIG. 10 every time a predetermined time elapses, for example, the process shown in FIG. 10 is performed several times per minute. The predetermined time is measured, for example, using a timer provided in the mth display device 15. When a predetermined time has elapsed since the processing shown in FIG. 10 was performed last time, the process proceeds from step g0 to step g1.

  In step g1, the second central processing unit 41 controls the second serial communication processing unit 44 to detect the connection of the next display device 15. The next display device 15 is the (m + 1) th display device 15. In order to detect the connection of the (m + 1) th display device 15, for example, a signal requesting the identification number of the next display device 15 is transmitted, and a response from the (m + 1) th display device 15 to the signal is received. The process proceeds to step g2.

  In step g2, the second central processing unit 41 determines whether or not the connection state with the next display device 15 has changed. When the connection state is changed, the connection with the next display device 15 is disconnected, the connection with the next display device 15 is not connected with the next display device 15, or the identification number is ( The fact that the display device 15 of (m + 1) × (a) is connected indicates that it is connected to the display device 15 having another identification number. That is, the connection state with the next display device 15 is changed by rewiring the wiring of the serial cable 16 to be different from the wiring shown in FIG. 1 or by inserting or removing the serial cable 16. When it is determined that the connection state has changed, the process proceeds to step g3. In this way, the second central processing unit 41 and the second serial communication processing unit 44 function as a connection state detection unit that detects a connection state with another display device 15 connected via the information transmission medium.

  In step g3, the second central processing unit 41 controls the second serial communication processing unit 44 to transmit a serial signal notifying that the connection state with the next display device 15 has changed to the external control device 12. Let Thus, the second central processing unit 41 and the second serial communication processing unit 44 request the external control device 12 to notify the relative positional relationship of each display device 15 from the external control device 12. Functions as a placement monitoring unit. The serial signal notifying that the connection state has changed includes, for example, the identification number ((a) × m) of itself (m-th display device 15) and the next display device 15 connected to this display device 15. An identification number is given. Next, the process proceeds to step g4 to end the process. If it is determined in step g2 that the connection state with the next display device 15 has not changed, the process proceeds to step g4, and the process is terminated without notifying the external control device 12.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the external control device 12 when the connection state of the display device 15 changes. When shifting from step h0 to step h1, the first serial communication processing unit 24 receives the serial signal. Next, the process proceeds to step h2, and the first central processing unit 21 determines whether or not the received serial signal is a serial signal notifying that the connection state has changed. If it is not a serial signal notifying that the connection state has changed, the process proceeds to step h1, and the process of step h1 is repeated. If it is a serial signal notifying that the connection state has changed, the changed state is stored in the first internal storage unit 22 in association with the identification number, and the process proceeds to step h3.

  In step h3, the first central processing unit 21 determines whether or not the state in which the connection state has changed has continued for a predetermined time. For example, the connection state changes only by inserting / removing the serial cable 16 to / from the first port unit 53, but in this case, the connection state is restored within a predetermined time, and the change in the connection state does not continue for a predetermined time. When the connection state has not changed for a predetermined time in this way, the connection state has only temporarily changed, and there is no need to reset, so the process proceeds to step h1 and step h1 again. Repeat the process. When it is determined that the connection state has changed for a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step h4.

  In step h4, the first central processing unit 21 controls the first serial communication processing unit 24 to notify the monitoring device connected to the external control device 12 via the LAN and the Internet that the connection state has changed. The serial signal to be transmitted is transmitted. By this notification, the monitoring apparatus can perform processing based on the connection state of the image display system 11. Next, the process proceeds to step h5.

  In step h5, the external control device 12 performs a process of generating position information and fine adjustment information. The processing at step h5 is the same as the processing at step d1 to step d7 shown in FIG. When it is detected that the connection state has been changed by performing the process of h5, the identification number is displayed on the display device 52 again. Next, the process proceeds to step h6. In step h6, the first central processing unit 21 designates each identification number for each display device 15 via the first serial communication processing unit 24, similarly to the processing shown in step d8 of FIG. Then, the position information and fine adjustment information of each display device 15 are transmitted. Next, the process proceeds to step h6 and the process is terminated.

  By performing the processing shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 described above, each display device 15 updates its relative positional relationship among the plurality of display devices 15 each time the connection state of each display device 15 changes. The image to be displayed by each display device 15 can be selectively displayed according to the change in the connection state of each display device 15. Thereby, even if the connection state changes, the setting of the image display system 11 is automatically reset according to the changed connection state. In step g3 in the present embodiment, the m-th display device 15 notifies the external control device 12 of information indicating that the connection state has changed with a serial signal, but for example, an image indicating similar information on the display device 52 May be displayed by the imaging device 14 and the external control device 12 may understand the connection state of each display device 15 by analyzing the image captured by the external control device 12. As a result, for example, the external control device 12 can grasp that the serial cable 16 is disconnected from at least one of the first and second port portions 53 and 54, and an error detection that detects that the connection has been disconnected. Can also be used.

  The image display system 11 according to the present embodiment can cause a part of the display devices 15 of the plurality of display devices 15 constituting the multi-display 13 to function integrally and display them as a display. For example, the multi-display 13 in the present embodiment is composed of nine 3 × 3 display devices 15, but the two 2 × 2 four display devices 15 can be integrated to function as one display. Specifically, among the plurality of display devices 15 constituting the multi-display 13, only the display device 15 that functions as one display is specified to display the identification number, and based on this display, step d4 shown in FIG. When the processing of Step d8 and the processing of Step e8 to Step e11 shown in FIG. 8 are performed, a part of the display devices 15 can be made to function integrally and displayed as a display.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing of the external control device 12 when displaying an identification number on a specific display device 15. First, the processing of the external control device 12 will be described. When the screen configuration setting displayed on the multi-display 13 is changed, the process proceeds from step i0 to step i1. In step i1, the first central processing unit 21 sets the identification number of the target display device 15. For example, when the 3 × 3 screen configuration is changed to a 2 × 2 screen configuration, the identification numbers of the first, second, fifth, and sixth display devices 15 (see FIG. 1) as the target display device 15. Is set, and the process proceeds to step i2.

  In step i2, the first central processing unit 21 controls the first serial communication processing unit 24, designates the identification number set in step i1, and transmits an ID display command “Z”. Transition.

  When the external control device 12 transmits an ID display command “Z” designating an identification number, each display device 15 performs the processing from step e1 to step e4 shown in FIG. As a result, the display device 15 having the designated identification number displays its own identification number and transmits “display end” to the external control device 12.

  In step i3, the first serial communication processing unit 24 confirms that the first serial communication processing unit 24 has received “display end”, and proceeds to step i4. In step i4, the first central processing unit 21 determines whether or not all the target display devices 15 have been processed, and if there is any display device 15 that has not been processed, proceeds to step i1. If the process is performed for all the target display devices 15, the process proceeds to step i5 and the process is terminated.

  After the external control device 12 performs the processing of step i5, if the processing from step d4 to step d8 shown in FIG. 7 and the processing from step e8 to step e11 shown in FIG. Can be displayed as a display.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the image display system 11 of one Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a block diagram mainly showing a configuration of an external control device 12. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a display device 15. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the external control apparatus 12 when assigning an identification number to each display apparatus 15. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the 1st display apparatus 15a connected to the external control apparatus 12 with the serial cable 17 when assigning an identification number. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing of the second to sixteenth display devices 15 that are not connected to the external control device 12 by the serial cable 17 when assigning an identification number. 4 is a flowchart showing a process in which the external control device 12 detects the relative position of each display device 15. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the display device 15 in accordance with processing of the external control device 12 when the external control device 12 performs processing of detecting the relative position of each display device 15. It is a flowchart showing the process in which each display apparatus 15 displays image information. 12 is a flowchart illustrating processing in which the display device 15 notifies the external control device 12 of a change in connection state. It is a flowchart showing the process which the external control apparatus 12 performs when the connection state of the display apparatus 15 changes. 6 is a flowchart showing processing of the external control device 12 when an identification number is displayed on a specific display device 15. It is a figure which shows typically the image display system 1 of a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Image display system 12 External control device 13 Multi display 14 Imaging device 15 Display device 16, 17, 18 Serial cable 21 1st central processing part 22 1st internal storage part 23 1st external storage part 24 1st serial communication process part 25 Image processing unit 26 Recognition pattern 41 Second central processing unit 42 Second internal storage unit 43 Second external storage unit 44 Second serial communication processing unit 45 Temporary storage unit 46 Video input terminal 47 Video signal processing unit 48 Video signal output processing unit 49 Scaling processing unit 50 Internal pattern control unit 51 Display processing unit 52 Display device 53 First port unit 54 Second port unit

Claims (6)

In an image display system in which a plurality of display devices are combined to display image information on a multi-display that functions as a display in conjunction with each other,
A plurality of display devices connected to each other by an information transmission medium that individually has a plurality of port portions to which the information transmission medium is connected and connects different display devices to each other;
An imaging device that captures an image displayed on each display device;
A control device for controlling a plurality of display devices,
Each display device
A receiving unit that receives an identification number input to the port unit via the information transmission medium;
A storage unit for storing the received identification number;
In accordance with a predetermined rule, the received identification number is changed so that the identification numbers of the respective display devices are different from each other, and the changed identification number is transmitted from a port unit different from the port unit to which the identification number is input. And
A display for displaying image information;
A display control unit that controls the display unit and displays the identification number stored in the storage unit on the display unit,
The control device further includes a detection unit that detects a relative position of each display device based on image information generated by an imaging device that images the display device that displays the identification number. .   The image display system according to claim 1, wherein the control device further includes a notification unit that notifies each display device of a relative positional relationship between the display devices in a plurality of display devices. Each display device
A connection state detection unit for detecting a connection state with another display device connected via an information transmission medium;
When the connection state detection unit detects that the connection state with another display device connected via the information transmission medium has changed, the relative state of each display device from the notification unit to the control device is detected. The image display system according to claim 2, further comprising: an arrangement monitoring unit that requests to notify a correct positional relationship. Each display device further includes a connection state detection unit that detects a connection state with another display device connected via the information transmission medium,
When the connection state detection unit detects that the connection state with another display device connected via the information transmission medium has changed, the display control unit causes the display unit to display the identification number again. The image display system according to claim 1 or 2. Each display device, when displaying the identification number on the display unit, gives the control device display information indicating that the identification number is displayed on the display unit,
The image according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, when the display information is given, the control device controls the imaging device to take an image displayed on each display device. Display system.   When the detection unit detects that the arrangement of each display device is deviated from a predetermined position, the control device instructs each display device to correct the display deviation of each display unit in accordance with the detected deviation. The image display system according to claim 1, wherein the image display system is provided.

Images