JP2012231296A - Shutter spectacles device, shutter spectacles driving device and operational mode switching method of shutter spectacles device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a shutter spectacles device capable of appropriately performing switching between 3D video and 2D video for each user.SOLUTION: According to one embodiment, a shutter spectacles device comprises: a first shutter; a second shutter; and controlling means. The controlling means drives and controls first and second shutters on the basis of a frame synchronization signal of an image watched by a user through the first and second shutters. The controlling means has command inputting means and mode switching means. The command inputting means inputs a command signal that requests switching of operational modes. When the command signal is input, the mode switching means performs switching between a first operational mode that alternately opens and closes the first and second shutters and a second operational mode that simultaneously opens and closes the first and second shutters.

Description

  The embodiment of the present invention is applied to a stereoscopic video system that stereoscopically views a two-dimensional image like a three-dimensional image by alternately viewing a left-eye image and a right-eye image with the left eye and the right eye. The present invention relates to a drive control technique for a shutter eyeglass device.

  As a technique for stereoscopically viewing a two-dimensional (2D) image like a three-dimensional (3D) image, a left-eye image and a right-eye image are alternately displayed, and these images are displayed. There is a well-known technique for alternately viewing the image with the left eye and the right eye. Shutter glasses are widely used as a tool for allowing an image for the left eye to be viewed with the left eye and an image for the right eye to be viewed with the right eye.

  The shutter glasses have a left-eye shutter for opening or shielding the left-eye field of view and a right-eye shutter for opening or shielding the right-eye field of view. The two shutters are opened and closed based on the frame synchronization signal of the frame data in which the images are alternately arranged. The shutter is usually composed of a transmissive liquid crystal panel.

  In addition to the use as a tool for stereoscopically viewing a two-dimensional image like a three-dimensional image, the shutter glasses allow, for example, a plurality of users viewing one display device to view different images. It is also used as a tool.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-240212

  Today, two types of 2D video and 3D video are produced for the same content. Therefore, the user can view each content as either 2D video or 3D video. Then, the user wears shutter glasses when viewing 3D video.

  However, for example, while watching 3D video with other audiences (with shutter glasses) or watching 3D video with family and friends on 3D television devices that have become popular in recent years. When a user wants to switch to 2D video in the middle of the process, only a certain user (the other user remains 3D video) cannot switch from 3D video to 2D video.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a shutter glasses device, a shutter glasses driving device, and an operation mode switching method of the shutter glasses device that can appropriately switch between 3D video and 2D video for each user.

  According to the embodiment, the shutter eyeglass device includes a first shutter, a second shutter, and a control unit. The first shutter is a shutter for opening or blocking the left eye field of view. The second shutter is a shutter for opening or blocking the left eye field of view. The control means inputs a frame synchronization signal of an image viewed through the first shutter and the second shutter, and drives the first shutter and the second shutter based on the frame synchronization signal. Control. The control means has command input means and mode switching means. The command input means inputs a command signal for requesting switching of the operation mode. When the command signal is input by the command input means, the mode switching means has a first operation mode for alternately opening and closing the first shutter and the second shutter, and the first shutter and the first shutter. Switching between the second operation modes for simultaneously opening and closing the two shutters is executed.

The figure which shows the apparatus structure of the stereoscopic video system of embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the operation | movement at the time of 3D mode of the shutter spectacles of embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the operation | movement at the time of 2D mode of the shutter spectacles of embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the external appearance of the shutter spectacles of embodiment. The figure for showing the difference between the operation at the time of 3D mode of the shutter glasses of an embodiment, and the operation at the time of 2D mode. The flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement at the time of switch button operation of the shutter spectacles of embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a device configuration of the stereoscopic video system according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the stereoscopic video system according to the present embodiment includes shutter glasses 1, a display device 2, and an image playback device 3.

  The user wears the shutter glasses 1 and views an image displayed on the display device 2. The image reproduction device 3 supplies frame data for 3D video to the display device 2 and supplies a frame synchronization signal to the shutter glasses 1. Note that the image playback device 3 can also supply 2D video frame data to the display device 2. In this case, it is not necessary to wear the shutter glasses 1. Although only one shutter glasses 1 is shown in FIG. 1, the image reproducing device 3 simultaneously sends a frame synchronization signal corresponding to 3D video frame data supplied to the display device 2 to a plurality of shutter glasses 1. Can be supplied.

  The shutter glasses 1 include a control unit 11, a left-eye shutter (L shutter) 12 for opening or blocking the left-eye view, and a right-eye shutter (R shutter) 13 for opening or blocking the right-eye view. And a switch button 14. The L shutter 12 and the R shutter 13 are composed of, for example, a transmissive liquid crystal panel. The control unit 11 is a module for driving and controlling the L shutter 12 and the R shutter 13, and a shutter control signal for opening and closing the L shutter 12 and the R shutter 13 based on the frame synchronization signal supplied from the image reproducing device 3. L and shutter control signal R are generated and supplied to L shutter 12 and R shutter 13, respectively.

  Further, the control unit 11 switches the shutter glasses 1 from the 3D mode (first operation mode) to the 2D mode (second operation mode) or from the 2D mode to the 3D mode each time the switching button 14 is operated. A mode switching unit 111 that executes switching processing is provided. The 3D mode is a mode for allowing a user to view a video displayed on the display device 2 as a 3D video when frame data for 3D video is supplied from the image reproduction device 3 to the display device 2. On the other hand, the 2D mode is a mode for allowing the user to view a video (for 3D) displayed on the display device 2 as a 2D video. That is, in the stereoscopic video system according to the present embodiment, for example, when a plurality of users wear shutter glasses 1 and watch 3D video displayed on the display device 2, 3D video for each user— Switching between 2D images can be performed as appropriate, and this will be described in detail below.

  First, referring to FIG. 2, a concept for explaining the operation of the shutter glasses 1 in the 3D mode, more specifically, how the control unit 11 controls driving of the L shutter 12 and the R shutter 13. FIG.

  FIG. 2A shows frame data for 3D video supplied from the image reproduction device 3 to the display device 2. As illustrated, in the frame data for 3D video, left-eye images (L) and right-eye images (R) are alternately arranged.

  Further, as described above, a frame synchronization signal corresponding to the frame data is supplied from the image reproduction device 3 to the shutter glasses 1. The control unit 11 generates a shutter control signal L and a shutter control signal R based on the frame synchronization signal. 2B shows the shutter control signal L generated by the control unit 11 in the 3D mode, and FIG. 2C shows the shutter control signal R generated by the control unit 11 in the 3D mode.

  Here, it is assumed that the L shutter 12 and the R shutter 13 are opened when the shutter control signals L and R are at a high level, and are closed when the shutter control signals L and R are at a low level. As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the control unit 11 opens the L shutter 12 and closes the R shutter 13 during a period in which the image for the left eye is displayed on the display device 2. The shutter control signal L and the shutter control signal R are set so that the L shutter 12 is closed and the R shutter 13 is opened during the period when the right-eye image is displayed on the display device 2. Is generated.

  As a result, the user wearing the shutter glasses 1 views the left eye image and the right eye image alternately displayed on the display device 2 alternately with the left eye and the right eye, You will experience stereoscopic vision.

  Next, referring to FIG. 3, the operation of the shutter glasses 1 in the 2D mode, more specifically, how the control unit 11 controls the drive of the L shutter 12 and the R shutter 13 will be described. It is a conceptual diagram.

  FIG. 3A shows frame data for 3D video supplied from the image reproduction device 3 to the display device 2 in the same manner as FIG. 3B shows the shutter control signal L generated by the control unit 11 in the 2D mode, and FIG. 3C shows the shutter control signal R generated by the control unit 11 in the 2D mode. Yes.

  In the 2D mode, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the control unit 11 causes both the L shutter 12 and the R shutter 13 to be in a period during which the image for the left eye is displayed on the display device 2. The shutter control signal L and the shutter control signal R are generated so that the L shutter 12 and the R shutter 13 are both closed during the period when the right eye image is displayed on the display device 2. . Contrary to this, the control unit 11, on the other hand, closes both the L shutter 12 and the R shutter 13 during the period in which the image for the left eye is displayed on the display device 2, and also displays the right eye on the display device 2. It is also possible to generate the shutter control signal L and the shutter control signal R so that the L shutter 12 and the R shutter 13 are both open during the period in which the image for display is displayed.

  As a result, the user wearing the shutter glasses 1 views only one of the left-eye image and the right-eye image displayed alternately on the display device 2 with both eyes. In this case, the user does not experience stereoscopic vision. That is, it is possible to allow the user to view 3D video as 2D video.

  Then, when the switching button 14 is operated, the mode switching unit 111 of the control unit 11 displays the shutter control signals L and R supplied to the L shutter 12 and the R shutter 13 in the 3D mode, as shown in FIG. The patterns shown in (B) and (C) are switched to the patterns shown in (B) and (C) in FIG. If the 2D mode is selected, the shutter control signals L and R supplied to the L shutter 12 and the R shutter 13 are changed from the patterns shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C to FIGS. Switch to the pattern shown in C).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the shutter glasses 1. For example, the switching button 14 is disposed at a position where the user can operate while wearing the shutter glasses 1. That is, the user can appropriately switch between 3D video and 2D video without removing the shutter glasses 1. When the switch button 14 is operated, an operation signal is generated. The mode switching unit 111 of the control unit 11 inputs this operation signal as a command for requesting switching between 3D video and 2D video.

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating the difference between the operation of the shutter glasses 1 in the 3D mode and the operation in the 2D mode.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating how the L shutter 12 and the R shutter 13 of the shutter glasses 1 are opened and closed in the 3D mode, and FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating the L of the shutter glasses 1 in the 2D mode. It is a figure which shows the mode of opening and closing of the shutter 12 and the R shutter 13. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, in the 3D mode, the L shutter 12 and the R shutter 13 are alternately opened and closed. On the other hand, in the 2D mode, as shown in FIG. 5B, the L shutter 12 and the R shutter 13 are opened and closed simultaneously. In FIG. 5, in the 2D mode, the L shutter 12 and the R shutter 13 are in an open state during a period in which an image for the left eye is displayed, and the L shutter is in a period in which an image for the right eye is displayed. In contrast to this, the L shutter 12 and the R shutter 13 are in the closed state. Conversely, the L shutter 12 and the R shutter 13 are closed in the period during which the left-eye image is displayed, and the right eye It can be considered that the L shutter 12 and the R shutter 13 are in the open state during the period in which the image for display is displayed.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of operation of the shutter glasses 1 when the switching button 14 is operated.

  When the operation signal generated by operating the switching button 14 is input, the mode switching unit 111 of the control unit 11 determines whether the shutter glasses 1 are currently operating in the 3D mode (block A1). In the 3D mode (YES in block A1), the mode switching unit 111 executes switching to the 2D mode (block A2). On the other hand, in the 2D mode (NO in block A1), the mode switching unit 111 executes switching to the 3D mode (block A3).

  As described above, the shutter glasses 1 according to the present embodiment can appropriately switch between 3D video and 2D video for each user only by operating the switching button 14.

  The display device 2 is not limited to a 3D television device, and may be a personal computer or an external display.

  In the above description, as shown in the example in FIG. 4, an example in which the switching button 14 is arranged on the shutter glasses 1 has been described, but instead of this, a command for requesting switching between 3D video and 2D video There may be provided means for inputting from the outside. For example, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a switching button 14 is arranged in each seat of a movie theater and an operation signal generated by the operation of the switching button 14 is supplied to the shutter glasses 1 by wired communication or wireless communication. In addition, for example, an instruction by wireless communication to the shutter glasses 1 may be performed by a button operation of a remote controller or a key operation of a personal computer having a wireless communication function.

  In the above description, an example in which the control unit 11 for driving and controlling the L shutter 12 and the R shutter 13 is provided in the shutter glasses 1 is used. Instead, the shutter glasses 1 are driven and controlled (the control unit 11). It is also possible to provide a separate shutter eyeglass driving device. That is, the shutter glasses driving device generates shutter control signals L and R for opening and closing the L shutter 12 and the R shutter 13, and supplies them to the shutter glasses 1 by wired communication or wireless communication. In this case, the switching control between the 3D video and the 2D video is controlled by the shutter glasses driving device that controls the driving of the shutter glasses 1.

  Thus, although several embodiment of this invention was described, these embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Shutter glasses, 2 ... Display apparatus, 3 ... Image reproduction apparatus, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... Shutter for left eyes (L shutter), 13 ... Shutter for right eyes (R shutter), 14 ... Switch button, 111 ... Mode switching part.

Claims (8)

A first shutter for opening or blocking the left eye field of view;
A second shutter for opening or shielding the right eye field of view;
Control means for inputting a frame synchronization signal of an image viewed through the first shutter and the second shutter and drivingly controlling the first shutter and the second shutter based on the frame synchronization signal. When,
Comprising
The control means includes
Command input means for inputting a command signal for requesting switching of the operation mode;
When the command signal is input by the command input means, a first operation mode for alternately opening and closing the first shutter and the second shutter, and the first shutter and the second shutter are set. Mode switching means for performing switching between the second operation modes that open and close at the same time;
A shutter eyeglass device. It has an operation button,
The shutter eyeglass device according to claim 1, wherein the command input unit inputs an operation signal generated when the operation button is operated as the command signal. The frame data of the image viewed through the first shutter and the second shutter is a three-dimensional image in which frames are arranged so that left-eye images and right-eye images are alternately displayed. It is frame data for images,
The control means includes
In the first operation mode, the first shutter is opened and the second shutter is closed while the frame synchronization signal indicates a frame of an image for the left eye, and the frame synchronization signal is transmitted to the right eye. During the period showing the image frame for the first time, the first shutter is closed and the second shutter is opened,
In the second operation mode, the first shutter and the second shutter are opened during the period in which the frame synchronization signal indicates a frame of one image for the left eye or the right eye, and the frame synchronization is performed. The first shutter and the second shutter are closed during a period in which the signal indicates the frame of the other image for the left eye or the right eye,
The shutter eyeglass device according to claim 1, wherein the first shutter and the second shutter are driven and controlled as described above.   The shutter glasses device according to claim 3, wherein the second operation mode is a mode in which an image reproduced from the frame data for the three-dimensional image is viewed as a two-dimensional image. In a shutter glasses driving device for driving and controlling a shutter glasses device having a first shutter for opening or blocking the left eye field and a second shutter for opening or blocking the right eye field,
A frame synchronization signal of an image viewed through the shutter eyeglass device is input, and a control signal for opening and closing the first shutter and the second shutter is input to the shutter eyeglass device based on the frame synchronization signal. A first operation mode for alternately opening and closing the first shutter and the second shutter when the switching of the operation mode of the shutter eyeglass device is requested, and the first shutter; Shutter glasses comprising control means for switching the control signal to be supplied to the shutter glasses apparatus so that switching between the second operation modes for simultaneously opening and closing the second shutter and the second shutter is performed on the shutter glasses apparatus. Drive device. The frame data of the image viewed through the shutter eyeglass device is frame data for a three-dimensional image in which frames are arranged so that an image for the left eye and an image for the right eye are alternately displayed. ,
The control means includes
In the first operation mode, the first shutter is opened and the second shutter is closed while the frame synchronization signal indicates a frame of an image for the left eye, and the frame synchronization signal is transmitted to the right eye. A first control signal for opening and closing the first shutter and the second shutter so that the first shutter is closed and the second shutter is opened during a period indicating a frame of the image for use. Supplying the shutter eyeglass device;
In the second operation mode, the first shutter and the second shutter are opened during the period in which the frame synchronization signal indicates a frame of one image for the left eye or the right eye, and the frame synchronization is performed. The first shutter and the second shutter are opened and closed so that the first shutter and the second shutter are closed during a period in which the signal indicates the frame of the other image for the left eye or the right eye. The shutter eyeglass drive device according to claim 5, wherein a second control signal is supplied to the shutter eyeglass device.   The shutter glasses driving device according to claim 6, wherein the second operation mode is a mode in which an image reproduced from the frame data for the three-dimensional image is viewed as a two-dimensional image. A first shutter for opening or blocking the left eye field of view and a second shutter for opening or blocking the right eye field of view are viewed through the first shutter and the second shutter. An operation mode switching method of a shutter eyeglass device that performs drive control based on a frame synchronization signal of an image to be performed,
Inputting a command signal for requesting switching of the operation mode;
When the command signal is input, a first operation mode in which the first shutter and the second shutter are alternately opened and closed, and a second operation mode in which the first shutter and the second shutter are simultaneously opened and closed. Switching between the operating modes of
An operation mode switching method comprising:

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