JP2010211149A - Image display - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image display which maintains its normal image brightness without using a shading component. <P>SOLUTION: When the scanning position of a scanning unit is at the edge section of an effective display area in which an image is formed by scanning laser light output from a light source unit with the scanning unit, a drive signal for the edge section predetermined for the edge section is output by a drive control unit to control the light source unit to output laser light having a predetermined intensity, and the intensity of the laser light output from the light source unit in response to the drive signal for the edge section is detected by a light intensity detection unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display device. More specifically, a drive control unit that generates a drive signal based on image information, a light source unit that emits laser light having an intensity corresponding to the drive signal output from the drive control unit, and a laser beam emitted from the light source unit And an image display device that displays an image by laser light scanned by the scanning unit.

  Conventionally, a laser beam generated based on image information is scanned and projected onto at least one retina of a user, and a retinal scanning image display device that displays an image, or a laser beam is scanned on a screen. An image display device such as a screen scanning image display device for displaying an image is known.

  The image display device includes a light source unit that emits laser light having an intensity corresponding to a drive signal, and a scanning unit that scans the laser light emitted from the light source unit in a two-dimensional direction.

  A light source unit that emits laser light may not be able to maintain normal brightness of an image to be displayed because output characteristics of the laser light change due to changes in ambient temperature or the like.

  Therefore, the present inventor emits intensity detection laser light from the light source unit when the scanning position is outside the image forming range (effective display range) of the scanning range by the optical scanning unit, and the intensity detection laser An image display apparatus has been proposed in which the light source unit is adjusted in accordance with the intensity of light to keep the luminance of the image normal (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-233562 A

  However, in the image display device described in Patent Document 1, the intensity detection laser beam is used to prevent the intensity detection laser beam from being projected onto the screen or the user's retina as light outside the effective display area. The shielding member which shields the radiation | emission of this is provided, and material cost starts. In addition, the installation of the shielding member may be difficult to adjust, and the manufacturing cost may increase.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image display device that can maintain the brightness of an image normally without providing a shielding member.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 includes a light source unit that emits laser light having an intensity according to a drive signal, and a scanning unit that scans the laser light emitted from the light source unit in a two-dimensional direction. An image display device that displays an image using laser light scanned by the scanning unit, a light intensity detection unit that detects the intensity of laser light emitted from the light source unit, and the drive signal as image information. And a drive control unit that corrects the drive signal based on the intensity of the laser beam detected by the light intensity detection unit, and the laser beam is scanned by the scanning unit to form an image. When the scanning position of the scanning unit is at the edge of the effective display area, a driving signal for the edge determined in advance for the edge is output from the drive control unit, and laser light having a predetermined intensity is output from the driving control unit. It is emitted from a source unit, further characterized in the intensity of the laser beam emitted from the light source unit by the drive signal the edge be detected by the light intensity detection section.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image display device according to the first aspect, the light source unit includes a plurality of light sources that respectively emit laser beams corresponding to the three primary colors, and is provided at an edge of the effective display area. When the scanning position of the scanning unit is present, the edge driving signal is input to the plurality of light sources from the drive control unit, and laser beams having a predetermined intensity are emitted from the plurality of light sources, respectively. .

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image display device according to the second aspect, the drive control unit simultaneously outputs the edge drive signal to the plurality of light sources, so that the laser light having the predetermined intensity is obtained. Are simultaneously emitted from the plurality of light sources.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image display device according to the second aspect, the drive control unit outputs the edge drive signal at a timing that does not overlap between the plurality of light sources, and performs the predetermined operation. Intense laser light is emitted at a timing that does not overlap between the light sources.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image display device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the original image to be displayed is reduced, and the peripheral edge of the original image is used as an image having a predetermined luminance. An image processing means for generating information is provided.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image display device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the output of the edge drive signal from the drive control unit is one or more image frame units. It is characterized by being performed intermittently.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the average luminance of the original image included in the image information is within a specified range. A luminance determination unit that determines whether the average luminance is within a specified range by the luminance determination unit, and outputs the edge drive signal from the drive control unit. And

  The invention according to claim 8 is the image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the laser light emitted from the light source unit by changing the signal level of the edge drive signal is changed. An edge luminance changing means for changing the predetermined intensity is provided.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the edge width changing means changes the edge width of the edge that emits the laser beam having the predetermined intensity. Is provided.

  According to the present invention, when the scanning position of the scanning unit is at the edge of the effective display area where the image is formed, the intensity detection laser light is emitted so that the intensity detection laser light is emitted from the edge of the display image. While making the user recognize as this design, the intensity of the laser beam for intensity detection can be detected and the intensity of the laser beam emitted from the light source unit can be adjusted to keep the brightness of the image normal.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the display image of the image display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific structure of the image display apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the scanning part of the image display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the display image of the image display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the display image of the image display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the display image of the image display apparatus shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the drive signal of the image display apparatus shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the drive signal of the image display apparatus shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the drive signal of the image display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the flow of the automatic addition mode of the image display apparatus shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a retinal scanning image display device that scans a laser beam corresponding to a drive signal based on image information, projects an image on at least one retina of a user, and displays the image is displayed. For example, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the scanning unit scans a laser beam having an intensity corresponding to a drive signal based on image information, thereby causing an image to be displayed on the screen. The present invention can be applied to other image display devices that display an image by scanning laser light, such as a screen scanning image display device that performs projection display.

[1. Outline of image display apparatus]
First, an outline of the image display apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image display device 1 of the present embodiment includes a drive control unit 10, a light source unit 20, a scanning unit 30, a lens 95b that is an eyepiece, and an operation unit 40. It works as follows.

  First, the drive control unit 10 generates a drive signal according to the image information F. This image information F is information input from the outside, and includes image data (for example, bitmap data) of a predetermined format, component video signal (Component Video Signal), and the like. Further, drive signals are generated and output corresponding to the three primary colors (R, G, B) in units of pixels of the image information F.

  The drive signal for each pixel output from the drive control unit 10 is sequentially input to the light source unit 20, and the light source unit 20 sequentially emits laser light having an intensity corresponding to the input drive signal.

  Laser light sequentially emitted from the light source unit 20 in units of pixels is scanned in a two-dimensional direction (XY direction) by the scanning unit 30. The laser beam thus scanned enters the pupil 101a of the user's eye 101 through the lens 95b. At this time, the exit pupil position is set at the position of the pupil 101 a, and thereby an image is projected onto the retina 101 b of the user's eye 101.

  In the light source unit 20, the output characteristics of the laser light change due to a change in ambient temperature or the like. Therefore, even when a drive signal having the same signal level is input from the drive control unit 10, the intensity of the laser light output from the light source unit 20 changes.

  Therefore, the image display apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the light intensity detection unit 20a that detects the intensity of the laser light emitted from the light source unit 20, and the drive control unit 10 is detected by the light intensity detection unit 20a. The drive signal is corrected based on the intensity of the laser beam.

  Specifically, the drive control unit 10 inputs an intensity detection drive signal for emitting the intensity detection laser beam to the light source unit 20 and causes the light source unit 20 to emit the intensity detection laser beam. The light source unit 20 is provided with a light intensity detection unit 20a for detecting the intensity of the intensity detection laser beam. Information indicating the intensity of the intensity detection laser beam is transmitted from the light intensity detection unit 20a to the drive control unit 10. Is output. The drive control unit 10 determines the output characteristic of the light source unit 20 based on the information input from the light intensity detection unit 20a, and adjusts the drive signal according to the output characteristic.

  For example, when the maximum value of the intensity of the laser beam emitted from the light source unit 20 is set, an intensity detection drive signal is output from the drive control unit 10 in order to emit the laser beam having the maximum intensity from the light source unit 20. Suppose that it outputs. At this time, when the intensity of the laser beam detected by the light intensity detection unit 20a is 95% of the maximum value, the drive control unit 10 determines that correction to increase the level of the drive signal is necessary, and Make adjustments. Thereby, the brightness | luminance of the image which the image display apparatus 1 displays can be maintained normally.

  Since the intensity detection laser beam emitted from the light source unit 20 in accordance with the intensity detection drive signal is used for internal calibration, the background processing is performed without emitting it to the outside using a shielding member. However, it costs the material cost of the shielding member and the number of mounting steps.

  Therefore, in the image display device 1 according to the present embodiment, the intensity detection laser beam is emitted to the effective display area where the image is displayed.

  In particular, as shown in FIG. 2, a region having a constant luminance is formed at the edge D <b> 2 of the display image in the effective display region E by the intensity detection laser beam. By forming the edge D2 having a constant luminance in this way, the user can easily distinguish between the effective display area E and the other areas, and the display image can be easily viewed. On the other hand, even if the intensity detection laser beam is emitted from the effective display area E, the user recognizes it as the edge D2 having a constant luminance, so there is no sense of incongruity and no discomfort.

  In this way, in order to form a region having a constant luminance at the edge D2 of the display image, the image display device 1 sets the intensity detection laser light to a constant intensity, and uses the intensity detection laser light as the edge image formation laser. Light is emitted from the light source unit 20 as light. That is, when the scanning position of the scanning unit 30 is at the edge of the effective display area where the laser beam is scanned by the scanning unit 30 and an image is formed, a driving signal (hereinafter, “ The edge drive signal "is also output from the drive control unit 10 so that the intensity detection laser beam is emitted from the light source unit 20 as the edge image forming laser beam.

  Then, the intensity of the intensity detection laser light emitted from the light source unit 20 by the edge drive signal is detected by the light intensity detection unit 20a, and the drive control unit 10 adjusts the drive signal.

  Further, the image display device 1 is provided with an operation unit 40, and the user can change the brightness and width of the edge D2 by operating the operation unit 40. That is, when the drive control unit 10 receives an instruction to change the luminance of the edge D2 from the operation unit 40, the drive control unit 10 generates an edge drive signal so that the luminance according to the instruction is obtained as an edge luminance change unit. Output. Similarly, when the drive control unit 10 receives an instruction to change the width of the edge D2 from the operation unit 40, the drive control unit 10 generates and outputs an edge drive signal so that the width corresponds to the instruction.

  Note that the image displayed in the effective display area E is formed by the original image D1 and the edge portion D2 arranged on the periphery thereof. The drive control unit 10 includes an image processing unit 10a. The image processing unit 10a reduces the original image D1 corresponding to the image information F, and the peripheral edge of the original image is an image having a predetermined luminance (edge D2). The image information is generated, and a drive signal is output according to the image information.

  As described above, in the image display device 1, when the scanning position of the scanning unit 30 is at the edge D <b> 2 of the effective display area where an image is formed, the intensity detection laser light is emitted, thereby emitting this intensity detection laser. While making the user recognize the light as the edge design of the display image, the intensity of the laser beam for intensity detection is detected and the laser beam emitted from the light source unit 20 is adjusted, thereby maintaining the brightness of the image normally. ing.

[2. Specific Configuration and Operation of Image Display Device 1]
Hereinafter, the image display device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS.

[2.1. Specific configuration including electrical configuration and optical configuration of image display apparatus 1]
As shown in FIG. 3, the image display apparatus 1 includes a drive control unit 10, a light source unit 20, a scanning unit 30, an operation unit 40, an optical fiber cable 50, and a half mirror 31. .

  The drive control unit 10 includes a control unit 11 that generates and outputs an image signal S corresponding to the image information F, and a drive signal supply circuit 18 that generates a signal that is an element for combining images.

  In addition to functioning as the above-described image processing means, edge brightness changing means, and edge width changing means, the control unit 11 executes predetermined processing to be described later according to a control program stored therein, and also displays an image display. It functions as a control means for controlling the entire apparatus 1 and a brightness determination means described later.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 12, a flash ROM (Flash Memory) 13, which is a nonvolatile memory, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 14, a VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) 15, and an input interface ( I / F) 16 are connected to a data communication bus, and various information is transmitted / received via the data communication bus.

  The CPU 12 is an arithmetic processing unit that executes various control functions of the image display device 1 by operating each part of the image display device 1 as a control unit or the like by executing a control program stored in the flash ROM 13. is there. Further, the CPU 12 converts the image information F or the like input via the input I / F 16 into a predetermined image format and stores it in the flash ROM 13. Further, the CPU 12 acquires information input from the operation unit 40 and performs processing according to the information.

  Further, the CPU 12 generates the image information by adding the edge D2 to the original image D1 corresponding to the image information F, and outputs the image information to the drive signal supply circuit 18 as the image signal S.

  Based on the image signal S, the drive signal supply circuit 18 generates each signal, which is an element for forming an image, in units of pixels. That is, the drive signal supply circuit 18 generates and outputs an R (red) drive signal 60r, a G (green) drive signal 60g, and a B (blue) drive signal 60b. The drive signal supply circuit 18 outputs a horizontal drive signal 61 used by the horizontal scanning unit 80 and a vertical drive signal 62 used by the vertical scanning unit 90, respectively.

  The light source unit 20 is intensity-modulated based on the drive signals 60r, 60g, and 60b of the R drive signal 60r, the G drive signal 60g, and the B drive signal 60b that are output from the drive signal supply circuit 18 in units of pixels. An R laser driver 66, a G laser driver 67, and a B laser driver 68 for driving the R laser 63, the G laser 64, and the B laser 65, respectively, are provided so as to emit a laser beam (also referred to as “light beam”). It has been. Each laser 63, 64, 65 can be configured as, for example, a semiconductor laser or a solid-state laser with a harmonic generation mechanism. If a semiconductor laser is used, the drive current can be directly modulated to modulate the intensity of the laser beam. However, if a solid-state laser is used, each laser is equipped with an external modulator, and the intensity of the laser beam is modulated. Need to do.

  The light source unit 20 includes an R light intensity detection unit 51 that detects the intensity of the laser light emitted from the R laser 63 and a G light intensity detection unit 52 that detects the intensity of the laser light emitted from the G laser 64. And a B light intensity detector 53 that detects the intensity of the laser light emitted from the B laser 65 is provided. Thereby, the intensity of the laser light emitted from each of the lasers 63, 64, 65 can be detected. Each light intensity detector 51, 52, 53 outputs a detection signal having an amplitude level corresponding to the detected intensity of the laser light to the drive controller 10. Note that lasers incorporating the light intensity detectors 51, 52, and 53 can be applied to the lasers 63, 64, and 65, respectively.

  Further, the light source unit 20 multiplexes the collimated laser light and collimated optical systems 71, 72, 73 provided so as to collimate the laser light emitted from the lasers 63, 64, 65 into parallel light. There are provided dichroic mirrors 74, 75, and 76, and a coupling optical system 77 that guides the combined laser light to the optical fiber cable 50.

  Therefore, the laser beams emitted from the lasers 63, 64, 65 are collimated by the collimating optical systems 71, 72, 73, respectively, and then enter the dichroic mirrors 74, 75, 76. Thereafter, each of the laser beams is selectively reflected and transmitted with respect to the wavelength by these dichroic mirrors 74, 75, and 76. The three primary color laser beams incident on these three dichroic mirrors 74, 75, and 76 are reflected or transmitted in a wavelength selective manner, reach the coupling optical system 77, and are collected and output to the optical fiber cable 50. The

  The scanning unit 30 located between the light source unit 20 and the user's eye 101 includes a collimating optical system 79 that collimates laser light generated by the light source unit 20 and emitted through the optical fiber cable 50. The laser beam collimated by the collimating optical system 79 is scanned horizontally in the horizontal direction for image display, and the laser beam scanned in the horizontal direction by the horizontal scanning unit 80 is scanned in the vertical direction. The vertical scanning unit 90, the first relay optical system 85 provided between the horizontal scanning unit 80 and the vertical scanning unit 90, and the laser beam thus scanned in the horizontal and vertical directions are emitted to the pupil 101a. A second relay optical system 95 is provided.

  The horizontal scanning unit 80 and the vertical scanning unit 90 scan in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction to scan the laser beam incident from the optical fiber cable 50 in a state in which the laser beam can be projected on the user's retina 101b as an image. The horizontal scanning unit 80 includes a resonance type deflection element 81 having a deflection surface for scanning the laser beam in the horizontal direction, and resonating the deflection element 81 to shake the deflection surface of the deflection element 81. A horizontal scanning drive circuit 82 that generates a drive signal to be moved based on the horizontal drive signal 61 is provided.

  On the other hand, the vertical scanning unit 90 vertically drives a non-resonance type deflection element 91 having a deflection surface for scanning the laser beam in the vertical direction and a drive signal for swinging the deflection surface of the deflection element 91 in a non-resonance state. And a vertical scanning drive circuit 92 that is generated based on the signal 62, and for each frame of an image to be displayed, a laser beam for forming an image is vertically directed from the first horizontal scanning line toward the last horizontal scanning line. Scan to. Here, the “horizontal scanning line” means one scanning in the horizontal direction by the horizontal scanning unit 80.

  Here, galvanometer mirrors are used as the deflection elements 81 and 91. However, as long as the deflection surface (reflection surface) can be swung or rotated so as to scan the laser beam, piezoelectric driving, electromagnetic Any driving method such as driving or electrostatic driving may be used. In this embodiment, a resonance type deflection element is used for the horizontal scanning unit 80, and a non-resonance type deflection element is used for the vertical scanning unit 90. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A resonance type deflection element may be used, or both may be non-resonance type deflection elements.

  Further, the first relay optical system 85 that relays the laser light between the horizontal scanning unit 80 and the vertical scanning unit 90 converts the laser light scanned in the horizontal direction by the deflection surface of the deflection element 81 into the deflection surface of the deflection element 91. To converge. Then, the laser light is scanned in the vertical direction by the deflection surface of the deflection element 91, and the front of the eye 101 is passed through the second relay optical system 95 in which two lenses 95a and 95b having positive refractive power are arranged in series. Is reflected by the half mirror 31 positioned on the user's eye and enters the user's pupil 101a, and an image corresponding to the image signal S is projected onto the retina 101b. As a result, the user recognizes the laser light incident on the pupil 101a as an image. Further, the half mirror 31 transmits the external light 200 so as to enter the pupil 101a of the user, so that the user can visually recognize an image in which the image based on the laser light is superimposed on the external scene based on the external light. Can do.

  In the second relay optical system 95, the respective laser beams are made substantially parallel to each other by the lens 95a and converted into convergent laser beams. The laser beams are converted into substantially parallel laser beams by the lens 95b, and the center lines of these laser beams are converted so as to converge on the user's pupil 101a.

  4 shows a maximum scanning range G (a range formed by the horizontal maximum scanning range Xa and the vertical scanning maximum range Ya shown in FIG. 4) by the deflection elements 81 and 91 of the horizontal scanning unit 80 and the vertical scanning unit 90 and standard scanning. The relationship with the range Z (the range formed by the horizontal scanning standard range X1 and the vertical scanning standard range Y1 shown in FIG. 4) is shown. Here, the “maximum scanning range” means the maximum range in which the deflection element 81 of the horizontal scanning unit 80 and the deflection element 91 of the vertical scanning unit 90 can scan the laser beam. The “standard scanning range Z” is a scanning range determined by default in the image display device 1.

  The horizontal scanning drive circuit 82 amplifies the horizontal drive signal 61 output from the drive signal supply circuit 18 and applies it to the deflection element 81 to drive the deflection surface of the deflection element 81. The vertical scanning drive circuit 92 amplifies the vertical drive signal 62 output from the drive signal supply circuit 18 and applies it to the deflection element 91 to drive the deflection surface of the deflection element 91. Then, the intensity was modulated in accordance with the image signal S from the light source unit 20 at the timing when the scanning positions of the deflection element 81 and the deflection element 91 are within the standard scanning range Z in the maximum scanning range G of the deflection element 81 and the deflection element 91. Laser light is emitted. As a result, the laser beam is scanned in the standard scanning range Z by the deflection element 81 and the deflection element 91, and the laser beam for one frame is scanned in the standard scanning range Z. This scanning is repeated for each frame image. 4 virtually shows the locus γ of the laser light scanned by the deflection element 81 and the deflection element 91 when it is assumed that the laser light is always emitted from the light source unit 20. However, the number of scans in the horizontal scanning direction X by the deflection element 81 is about several hundreds or thousands per frame, and FIG. 4 simply shows the locus γ of the laser beam.

[2.2. Laser light intensity adjustment process]
Next, laser light intensity adjustment processing in the image display apparatus 1 will be described.

  As described above, the laser beam for intensity detection is emitted when the scanning position of the scanning unit 30 is at the edge D2 of the standard display area D where the image is formed by scanning the laser beam in the standard scanning range Z. Therefore, since the user recognizes the intensity detection laser beam as the design of the edge of the display image, the laser beam can be adjusted without causing the user to feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the edge D2 is operated by operating the operation unit 40, and a standard mode provided at the periphery of the original image D1 within a predetermined standard display area D, as shown in FIG. 5B. As shown in FIG. 5, the original image D1 is arranged in the standard display area D, and the range of the effective display area can be switched between the extended mode provided outside the standard display area D which is the periphery of the original image D1. In the standard mode, the standard display area D is an effective display area, and in the extended mode, a display area formed by the standard display area D and the edge D2 is an effective display area.

  When the standard mode selection instruction is input from the operation unit 40, the control unit 11 reduces the original image D1 according to the image information F, and displays an image (edge D2) having a predetermined luminance at the periphery of the original image D1. The provided image information is generated and output as an image signal S. The image signal S here is a component video signal, but other image signals may be used.

  In this way, by operating in the standard mode and providing the edge D2 within a prescribed resolution (for example, 800 × 600 pixels), for example, even when there is no margin in the scanning range of the scanning unit 30, The edge D2 can be provided.

  On the other hand, when an instruction to select an expansion mode is input from the operation unit 40, the control unit 11 does not reduce the original image D1 corresponding to the image information F, and an image (edge) having a predetermined luminance is formed around the original image D1. The image information provided with the part D2) is generated and output as the image signal S.

  In this way, by operating in the extended mode and providing the edge D2 outside the specified resolution (for example, 800 × 600 pixels), for example, when the scanning range in the scanning unit 30 has a margin, the original image D1 Can be displayed without losing resolution. Further, since the edge D2 is an image having a predetermined luminance and each pixel position is not required to be highly accurate, a range in which an image cannot be formed with high accuracy can be used. For example, when a deflecting element that resonates and swings like the deflecting element 81 is used in the horizontal scanning unit 80, the edge D2 may be formed at a scanning position that cannot be used for displaying the original image D1. It becomes possible.

  Further, the luminance of the edge portion D2 is set so as to be the maximum value for each color of R, G, and B. That is, the drive control unit 10 outputs the R drive signal, the G drive signal, and the B drive signal so that the laser light of each color of R, G, and B has the maximum specified intensity from the light source unit 20. Therefore, the user recognizes the edge D2 as a white frame.

  On the other hand, each light intensity detection part 51,52,53 detects the intensity | strength of the laser beam radiate | emitted from laser 63,64,65 so that it may become maximum specified intensity | strength, and detects the intensity | strength. The drive control unit 10 adjusts the drive signal based on detection signals output from the light intensity detection units 51, 52, and 53, respectively. Since the laser beams are emitted from the lasers 63, 64, and 65 so as to have the maximum specified intensity, it becomes easier to detect variations in output characteristics that change depending on the temperature, etc., compared to a low-intensity laser beam, and the drive signal can be adjusted quickly. And it becomes possible to carry out easily. For example, a laser beam with 50% of the maximum specified intensity may be output from the lasers 63, 64, 65 as the intensity detecting laser beam.

  Further, in the above description, the edge D2 is formed with a frame surrounding the entire periphery (four sides) of the original image D1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various shapes of edges can be obtained by operating the operation unit 40. Part D2 can be selected.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, it is possible to form an edge portion D2 in which regions of predetermined luminance are provided only at the four corners of the original image D1. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, it is possible to form an edge portion D2 in which regions of predetermined luminance are provided in addition to the four corners of the original image D1.

  The pattern of the edge D2 is stored as image data in the flash ROM 13, and the control unit 11 selects the edge D2 selected from the flash ROM 13 based on a selection input from the user to the operation unit 40. Image data is read out, image information combined with the original image D1 is generated, and output as an image signal S.

  Further, in the image display apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the width W of the edge portion D2 can be changed as shown in FIG.

  Based on the selection input from the user to the operation unit 40, the control unit 11 adjusts the width W of the edge D2 read from the flash ROM 13 to the selected width, and displays the image information combined with the original image D1. Generated and output as an image signal S. Note that the image data of the edge D2 having a different width W may be stored in the flash ROM 13, and the image data of the edge D2 having the selected width W may be read from the flash ROM 13.

  With this configuration, for example, even when the width of the edge D2 is large and it is difficult for some users to visually recognize the original image D1, the original image D1 can be changed by changing the width W of the edge D2 by the user's selection. Can be easily seen.

  Further, in the image display device 1 according to the present embodiment, the brightness of the edge D2 can be changed by an operation on the operation unit 40 as shown in FIG. 7B.

  Based on the selection input from the user to the operation unit 40, the control unit 11 adjusts the luminance of the edge D2 read from the flash ROM 13, generates image information combined with the original image D1, and generates the image signal S. Output.

  Therefore, even if the brightness of the edge portion D2 is high and it is difficult for the user to visually recognize the original image D1, the brightness of the edge portion D2 can be changed by the user's selection to make it easy to view. Note that the control unit 11 can dynamically change the luminance of the edge D2 in accordance with the state of the original image D1. For example, when the average luminance value of the original image D1 is lower than a predetermined value, the original image D1 can be easily visually recognized by reducing the luminance of the edge portion W1.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the drive control unit 10 outputs the R drive signal 60r, the G drive signal 60g, and the B drive signal 60b as edge drive signals to the lasers 63, 64, and 65 at the same time. By simultaneously emitting laser beams having a predetermined intensity from the lasers 63, 64, and 65, the edge portion D2 is white and has a predetermined luminance. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the state of each drive signal when there is a horizontal scanning position at the AA line position in FIG.

  With this configuration, the light intensity detectors 51, 52, 53 can simultaneously detect the intensity detection laser beams emitted from the lasers 63, 64, 65. Can be performed quickly.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the drive control unit 10 transmits the outputs of the R drive signal 60r, the G drive signal 60g, and the B drive signal 60b as edge drive signals to the lasers 63, 64, and 65 at timings that do not overlap each other. The edge D2 can also be formed by outputting and emitting laser beams of a predetermined intensity from the lasers 63, 64 and 65 at different timings so as not to overlap each other.

  Since the laser beams for intensity detection are emitted from the lasers 63, 64, and 65 at different timings as described above, it is possible to reduce power consumption necessary for forming an image of the edge portion D2. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, since the drive signals 60r, 60g, and 60b are sequentially output as the edge drive signals, the brightness of the edge D2 is reduced, and the user can visually recognize the edge D2 more softly. It is possible to suppress the viewing of the original image D1 from being inhibited by the edge D2.

  Further, the output of the edge drive signal from the drive control unit 10 may be intermittently performed in units of one or more image frames as shown in FIG.

  With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the power consumption necessary for forming the image of the edge D2, and the brightness of the edge D2 is reduced so that the user can visually recognize the edge D2 more softly. It is possible to suppress the viewing of the original image D1 from being obstructed by the edge D2.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 10B, the power consumption can be further reduced by reducing the number of appearances of the image frame displaying the edge D2. Further, the edge D2 can be further visually recognized by the user, and the visual recognition of the original image D1 can be suppressed from being inhibited by the edge D2.

  Further, in the image display device 1 according to the present embodiment, the automatic addition mode in which the edge D2 is dynamically added can be operated by the user's operation on the operation unit 40. In the automatic addition mode, the control unit 11 causes the CPU 12 to function as a luminance determination unit that determines whether or not the average luminance of the image frame unit of the original image D1 included in the image information F is within a specified range. An edge drive signal is output from the drive control unit 10 in the image frame of the original image D1 determined to be in the specified range.

  Hereinafter, the automatic addition mode will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

  In this automatic addition mode, the control unit 11 first calculates an average luminance value of an image of an image frame to be displayed next to the user among the original images D1 included in the image information F (step S10).

  Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the average luminance value calculated in step S1 is within a specified range (step S11). In this process, when it is determined that the average luminance value is within the specified range (step S11: YES), the control unit 11 compresses the original image D1 to reduce the resolution (step S12), and the process proceeds to step S13. To do.

  In the process of step S13, the control unit 11 reads the image data of the edge D2 from the flash ROM 13, generates image information in which the image of the edge D2 serving as a white frame is added to the compressed original image D1, and the image signal S is output to the drive signal supply circuit 18 (step S14).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S12 that the average luminance value is not within the specified range (step S11: NO), the control unit 11 ends the process.

  The controller 11 executes the automatic addition mode by repeating the above process.

  As described above, by executing the automatic addition mode, for example, when the original image D1 has a predetermined luminance or higher, an image with the edge D2 added can be displayed, and the luminance of the edge D2 with respect to the original image D1. It is possible to prevent the original image D1 from becoming difficult to visually recognize due to being too high.

  In addition, although the said process may be performed per image frame, even if it is a case where the edge D2 is added by performing in multiple image frame units, a user can visually recognize the edge D2 more naturally. Can be made.

  In step S12, the original image D1 is compressed, but by not compressing the original image D1, the image size of the original image D1 is small depending on whether or not the edge D2 is formed. The original image D1 is easy to visually recognize. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5B, the control unit 11 performs a process of providing the edge D <b> 2 outside the standard display area D.

  Further, the control unit 11 may dynamically change the width W of the edge D2 according to the state of the original image D1. For example, when the average luminance value of the original image D1 is lower than a predetermined range (a range that includes the specified range and is wider than the specified range), the width W of the edge W1 is narrowed so that the original image D1 is visually recognized. It can be made easier.

  As described above, some of the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, these are merely examples, and various embodiments can be made based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art including the aspects described in the Summary of the Invention. The present invention can be implemented in other forms that have been modified or improved.

  For example, the light intensity detectors 51, 52, 53 (20a) are adjacent to or built in the lasers 63, 64, 65, but the intensity of the laser light output from the lasers 63, 64, 65 can be detected. It is not limited to this as long as it is in a possible position. For example, the light intensity detectors 51, 52, and 53 (20a) may be arranged at positions where the laser beam scanned by the scanner 30 is incident.

  Further, the image processing is performed after the image information F is stored in the flash ROM 13, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any processing may be performed as long as a drive signal can be generated according to the image information.

  Although the present invention has been described through the above-described embodiments, the following effects can be expected according to this embodiment.

  (1) The light source unit 20 that emits laser light having an intensity corresponding to the drive signal and the scanning unit 30 that scans the laser light emitted from the light source unit 20 in a two-dimensional direction are scanned by the scanning unit 30. In the image display device 1 that displays an image with laser light, the light intensity detection unit 20a (51, 52, 53) that detects the intensity of the laser light emitted from the light source unit 20, and the drive signal in accordance with the image information F And a drive control unit 10 that corrects the drive signal based on the intensity of the laser beam detected by the light intensity detection unit 20a (51, 52, 53), and the scanning unit 30 scans the laser beam to generate an image. In the effective display area E to be formed, when the scanning position of the scanning unit 30 is at the edge D2, the drive signal for the edge determined in advance for the edge D2 is output from the drive control unit 10 to be predetermined. strength The laser light is emitted from the light source unit 20, and the intensity of the laser light emitted from the light source unit 20 by the edge drive signal is detected by the light intensity detection unit 20a (51, 52, 53). While allowing the user to recognize the intensity detection laser light as the edge design of the display image, the intensity of the image is adjusted by detecting the intensity of the intensity detection laser light and adjusting the intensity of the laser light emitted from the light source section. Can keep you normal

  (2) The light source unit 20 includes lasers 63, 64, and 65 as a plurality of light sources that respectively emit laser beams corresponding to the three primary colors, and the scanning position of the scanning unit 30 is at the edge D2 of the effective display area. In addition, the edge drive signal is input to the plurality of lasers 63, 64, 65 from the drive control unit 10 so that the laser beams of predetermined intensity are emitted from the plurality of lasers 63, 64, 65, respectively. The intensity of each of the lasers 63, 64, and 65 can be adjusted while allowing the user to recognize the laser beam for use as the edge design of the display image.

  (3) Further, the drive control unit 10 outputs the edge drive signal to the plurality of lasers 63, 64, 65 at the same time so as to emit laser light having a predetermined intensity from the plurality of lasers 63, 64, 65 at the same time. Therefore, the light intensity detectors 51, 52, and 53 can simultaneously detect the intensity detection laser beams emitted from the lasers 63, 64, and 65, and drive signal adjustment processing in the drive controller 10 is performed. This can be done quickly.

  (4) Further, the drive control unit 10 outputs edge drive signals at a timing that does not overlap between the plurality of lasers 63, 64, 65, and outputs laser light of a predetermined intensity between the lasers 63, 64, 65. Since it is made to radiate | emit at the timing which does not overlap, the power consumption required in order to form the image of the edge part D2 can be reduced. Moreover, the brightness | luminance of the edge D2 is reduced, a user can visually recognize the edge D2 more softly, and it can suppress that the visual recognition of the original image D1 is inhibited by the edge D2.

  (5) In addition, since the original image D1 to be displayed is reduced and the control unit 11 (image processing means 10a) that generates image information with the periphery of the original image D1 as an image having a predetermined luminance is provided, the scanning unit Even if there is no margin in the scanning range at 30, the edge D2 can be provided.

  (6) Since the output of the edge drive signal from the drive controller 10 is intermittently performed in units of one or more image frames, the power consumption necessary for forming the image of the edge D2 Can be reduced. Moreover, the brightness | luminance of the edge D2 is reduced, a user can visually recognize the edge D2 more softly, and it can suppress that the visual recognition of the original image D1 is inhibited by the edge D2.

  (7) The image processing apparatus further includes a control unit 11 (luminance determination unit) that determines whether or not the average luminance of the image frame unit of the original image D1 included in the image information is within a specified range. Since the edge drive signal is output from the drive control unit 10 in the image frame of the original image D1 determined to be in the range, for example, the luminance of the edge D2 is too high with respect to the original image D1. It is possible to prevent the original image D1 from becoming difficult to visually recognize.

  (8) Since the control unit 11 (edge brightness changing means) for changing the intensity of the laser light emitted from the lasers 63, 64, 65 by changing the signal level of the edge drive signal is provided. For example, even if the brightness of the edge D2 is high and it is difficult for some users to view the original image D1, the brightness of the edge D2 can be changed by the user's selection to make it easy to view.

  (9) Since the controller 11 (edge width changing means) for changing the edge width of the edge portion D2 is provided, for example, the width of the edge portion D2 is large and it is difficult for some users to visually recognize the original image D1. Even in this case, the original image D1 can be easily visually recognized by changing the width W of the edge portion D2 by the user's selection.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image display apparatus 10 Drive control part 11 Control part (Image processing means, edge brightness | luminance change means, edge width change means, brightness | luminance determination means)
20 Light source unit 30 Scan unit

Claims (9)

A light source unit that emits laser light having an intensity corresponding to the drive signal; and a scanning unit that scans the laser light emitted from the light source unit in a two-dimensional direction, and an image is captured by the laser light scanned by the scanning unit. In an image display device for displaying,
A light intensity detection unit for detecting the intensity of the laser light emitted from the light source unit;
A drive control unit that generates the drive signal according to image information and corrects the drive signal based on the intensity of the laser light detected by the light intensity detection unit;
Of the effective display area in which the laser beam is scanned by the scanning unit to form an image, an edge driving signal predetermined for the edge when the scanning unit has a scanning position at the edge. Is output from the drive control unit to emit laser light of a predetermined intensity from the light source unit,
Further, the light intensity detecting unit detects the intensity of the laser beam emitted from the light source unit by the edge driving signal. The light source unit includes a plurality of light sources that respectively emit laser beams corresponding to the three primary colors,
When the scanning position of the scanning unit is at the edge of the effective display area, the drive signal for the edge is input to the plurality of light sources from the drive control unit, and laser light of a predetermined intensity is supplied from the plurality of light sources. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein each of the image display devices is emitted.   3. The image according to claim 2, wherein the drive control unit simultaneously outputs the edge drive signal to the plurality of light sources, and causes the plurality of light sources to emit the laser light having the predetermined intensity simultaneously. Display device.   The drive control unit outputs the edge drive signal at a timing that does not overlap between the plurality of light sources, and emits the laser beam having the predetermined intensity at a timing that does not overlap between the light sources. The image display device according to claim 2.   5. The image processing unit according to claim 1, further comprising: an image processing unit that reduces the original image to be displayed and generates the image information using a peripheral edge of the original image as an image having a predetermined luminance. Image display device.   6. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein output of the edge drive signal from the drive control unit is intermittently performed in units of one or more image frames. Luminance determination means for determining whether or not the average luminance of the image frame unit of the original image included in the image information is within a specified range,
7. The edge drive signal is output from the drive control unit in an image frame of an original image in which the average luminance is determined to be within a specified range by the luminance determination unit. The image display device according to item 1.   8. An edge brightness changing means is provided for changing the predetermined intensity of the laser light emitted from the light source section by changing the signal level of the edge drive signal. The image display device according to item.   The image display apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an edge width changing unit that changes an edge width of the edge that emits the laser beam having the predetermined intensity.

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