JP2016180853A - Receiver and image transmission system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable identification of image data without using sequence information different from normal image data on an image itself.SOLUTION: The present invention comprises: a receiving part that receives image data constituted of a plurality of data blocks each formed of a predetermined number of data units; an identification part that identifies and stores a format on the basis of specific image data; a data sequence changing part that changes the sequence of the data units of the image data on the basis of sequence information according to the format; and an output part that outputs an image on the basis of the data units the sequence of which has been changed. The identification part determines the number of times of change of the values of the data units constituting the specific image data, identifies the attribute of the data units on the basis of the number of times of change, and identifies the format. The specific image data is configured to have values between the data units different from each other for each of scan lines in an image in one frame.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a receiving apparatus and an image transmission system, and more particularly to a receiving apparatus for receiving image data and an image transmission system for transmitting and receiving image data.

  Conventionally, image transmission configured by a transmission device for transmitting generated video data or image data, and a reception device for receiving image data transmitted from the transmission device and outputting an image according to the image data The system is known. In such an image transmission system, standards such as LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) and mini-LVDS are adopted.

  LVDS is a short-distance digital wired transmission technology standardized in 1994 by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The image transmission system according to the LVDS is a differential signal system using a pair of transmission lines. Specifically, a transmission device transmits differential signals having two different potentials, and a reception device transmits the two signals. The logic state of the signal is determined by comparing the potential difference between the two. Thereby, the image transmission system according to LVDS can transmit a differential signal at high speed with small amplitude and low power consumption. Mini-LVDS is a standard derived from LVDS, and has a smaller voltage amplitude than LVDS and suppresses power consumption.

  In such an LVDS-compliant image transmission system, the image data typically has a total of 28 bits per differential clock cycle for data transmission (ie, 8 bits for each color component of red, green, and blue, vertical). (Synchronous 1 bit, horizontal synchronous 1 bit, data enable 1 bit, and dummy 1 bit) are defined as data blocks, and such image data is signal-transmitted through four pairs of differential transmission paths. One data block corresponds to information for one pixel of image data in an image transmission system according to the LVDS standard. Note that the image transmission system according to another standard (for example, mini-LVDS) is not limited to this, and may include information over several pixels, for example.

  By the way, LVDS does not define in what order the data units of the data blocks in one cycle of the differential clock are transmitted, and the order is left to the designer who designs the transmission apparatus. For this reason, the transmission order information of the data units depending on each of the transmission apparatuses is registered in advance in the register inside the reception apparatus, and the administrator manually transmits the transmission order information each time according to the transmission apparatus to be used. By setting, it is possible for the receiving device to identify image data transmitted from the transmitting device. However, if the transmission order of the signal bits is unknown, the administrator cannot set the transmission order information and cannot make the receiving apparatus identify the image data.

  For this reason, as a technique for automatically identifying image data transmitted from a transmission apparatus, there is Patent Document 1 below. That is, Patent Document 1 receives a video signal transmitted from a source device and predetermined arrangement information related to the video, identifies the video signal based on the predetermined arrangement information, and arranges the video signals according to the identification result. Disclosed is an AV device to be replaced.

JP2013-153410A

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, it is necessary to transmit predetermined arrangement information completely different from the video signal in order to identify the video signal. For this reason, the image transmission system has to be configured by a source device and a sink device corresponding to the source device, and lacked versatility.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a receiving apparatus and an image transmission system that can identify image data using image data that can be transmitted by a general-purpose transmitting apparatus that conforms to a predetermined standard. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a receiving apparatus and an image transmission system that can identify image data without using arrangement information different from normal image data related to the image itself.

  The present invention for solving the above problems includes the following technical features or invention specific matters.

  That is, the present invention according to a certain aspect is a receiving device for outputting an image based on image data transmitted from a transmitting device according to a predetermined format, and includes a plurality of data blocks each having a predetermined number of data units. A receiving unit that receives the configured image data, and an identifying unit that identifies the format determined for the transmitting device based on the specific image data received by the receiving device and stores the identified format A data rearrangement unit that rearranges the arrangement of data units in each data block of image data based on the arrangement information according to the format, and a pixel based on the data unit that has been rearranged by the data rearrangement unit An output unit for outputting an image based on the data block, and the identification The format is identified by obtaining the number of changes in the value of each data unit in each data block constituting the specific image data, and identifying the attribute of the data unit based on the obtained number of changes. The specific image data is a receiving device configured so that values between data units in the data block are different from each other for each scanning line in an image for one frame.

  As a result, the receiving apparatus obtains the number of changes in the value of each data unit of the specific image data configured such that the values between the data units of the data block are different from each other for each scanning line in the image for one frame. Since the format determined by the transmission device is identified, the image data transmitted from the transmission device can be identified according to the format.

  Here, the value of each data block in each scanning line may be the same.

  Further, the identification unit may ignore the identification of the attribute of the data unit for the scanning lines exceeding a predetermined number in the image for one frame.

  As a result, the receiving apparatus ignores the identification of the attribute of the data unit with respect to the scanning lines exceeding the predetermined amount in the image for one frame, so that the processing burden on the signal identification unit can be reduced.

  The identification unit may identify the format based on the specific image data transmitted from the transmission device when the connection between the transmission device and the reception device is established.

  As a result, the receiving apparatus can identify the format related to the transmitting apparatus when the connection with the transmitting apparatus is established.

  The identification unit may identify the format based on the specific image data corresponding to a plurality of frames of images.

  As a result, the receiving apparatus identifies the format based on the specific image data corresponding to the images of a plurality of frames, so that the format can be identified with higher accuracy.

  Further, the data rearrangement unit may rearrange image data received by the receiving unit after receiving the specific image data.

  Accordingly, the receiving apparatus can perform rearrangement on the image data received after receiving the specific image data based on the format identified according to the specific image data.

  The identification unit may identify at least color component information, data enable information, vertical synchronization information, and horizontal synchronization information as attributes of the data unit.

  Furthermore, the identification unit may identify an attribute of a data unit that has the smallest number of times of change and whose value has changed a plurality of times as the vertical synchronization information.

  As a result, the receiving apparatus can identify the vertical synchronization information as an attribute of the data unit.

  Furthermore, the identification unit may identify the attribute related to the color component information after the attribute related to the vertical synchronization information is identified.

  As a result, the receiving apparatus can identify each color component information as an attribute of the data unit.

  Further, the identification unit obtains the number of data units in which the value is changed among the attributes of the data units that have not been identified after the attribute relating to the color component information is identified, and the obtained number Accordingly, an attribute related to horizontal synchronization information and an attribute related to data enable information may be identified.

  As a result, the receiving apparatus can identify the horizontal synchronization information and the data enable information as attributes of the data unit.

  Furthermore, when the number of the obtained data units is “1”, the identification unit identifies the attribute of the data unit that has not been identified as horizontal synchronization information, and the number of the obtained data units is “ 2 ”, the attribute of the data unit that has been obtained with a small number of changes among the data units that have not yet been identified is identified as horizontal synchronization information, and the data unit that has not yet been identified is obtained. The attribute of the data unit having a large number of changes may be identified as data enable information.

  The receiving unit may receive image data transmitted according to at least one of LVDS and mini-LVDS standards.

  As a result, the receiving apparatus can receive image data transmitted in accordance with the LVDS or mini-LVDS standard and identify the image data.

  Furthermore, the present invention according to another aspect is a method for identifying the format of the image data transmitted from the transmission apparatus according to a predetermined format, and is composed of a plurality of data blocks each having a predetermined number of data units. Receiving the specific image data to be obtained, obtaining the number of changes in the value of each data unit in each data block constituting the particular image data, and based on the obtained number of changes, the data unit And identifying the format according to the identified result, and the specific image data has a value between data units in the data block for each scan line in the image for one frame. A method configured to be different from each other.

  As a result, the receiving apparatus obtains the number of changes in the value of each data unit of the specific image data configured such that the values between the data units of the data block are different from each other for each scanning line in the image for one frame. Since the format determined by the transmission device is identified, the image data transmitted from the transmission device can be identified according to the format.

  Furthermore, the present invention according to another aspect is an image transmission system comprising: a transmission device that transmits image data according to a predetermined format; and a reception device that is connected to the transmission device and receives the image data. When the connection with the receiving apparatus is established, the apparatus transmits specific image data corresponding to an image of at least one frame, each composed of a plurality of data blocks each having a predetermined number of data units. A receiving unit configured to receive the specific image data transmitted from the transmission device, and to determine the transmission device based on the specific image data received by the reception device. An identification unit for identifying the identified format, storing the identified format, and sequence information according to the format. A data rearrangement unit that rearranges the arrangement of data units in each data block of data, and an output unit that outputs an image based on pixel data blocks based on the data units rearranged by the data rearrangement unit; The identification unit obtains the number of changes in the value of each data unit in each data block constituting the specific image data, and identifies the attribute of the data unit based on the obtained number of changes Thus, the format is identified, and the specific image data is configured to have different values between data units in the data block for each scan line in the image for one frame. .

  Accordingly, the image transmission system obtains the number of changes in the value of each data unit of specific image data configured such that the value between the data units of the data block is different from each other for each scanning line in the image for one frame. Thus, in order to identify the format determined by the transmission apparatus, the image data transmitted from the transmission apparatus can be identified according to the format.

  According to the present invention, the receiving device and the image transmission system can identify image data using image data that can be transmitted by a general-purpose transmitting device according to a predetermined standard.

  Other technical features, objects, effects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is a figure which shows an example of schematic structure of the image transmission system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart for showing operation of a receiving part in a receiving device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating operation | movement of the output part in the receiver which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram for showing the detail of the image data for identification transmitted from the transmitter which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the receiver in case the transmitter which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention transmits the image data for identification to a receiver. It is a figure which shows the other example of schematic structure of the image transmission system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart for showing operation of a receiving part in a receiving device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a timing chart illustrating a relationship between a differential signal output from a transmission apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and image data indicated by the signal. 6 is a timing chart illustrating a relationship between a differential signal output from a transmission apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and image data indicated by the signal. It is a timing chart which shows the content of the image data for identification which the transmitter which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention outputs. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the image data for identification transmitted from the transmitter which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart which shows the content of the image data for identification which the transmitter which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention outputs. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the image data for identification transmitted from the transmitter which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the receiver which received the image data for identification which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an image transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image transmission system 1 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a transmission device 10 and a reception device 20.

  The transmission device 10 is, for example, an LVDS source device, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, a mini-LVDS source device as long as it is a source device that transmits image data in a predetermined format. In this example, the transmission apparatus 10 is composed of 28-bit data blocks per cycle by using four pairs (differential signals IN0 to IN3) of serial differential signals IN in which a 7-bit data string is superimposed in a time division manner. The image data to be transmitted is transmitted to the receiving device 20. Further, the transmission device 10 transmits the differential clocks CLKP and CLKN for the reception device 20 to latch the differential signals IN0 to IN3 to the reception device 20. Further, when the transmission device 10 is connected to the reception device 20, the image data for identifying the type of the image data (hereinafter referred to as “identification image data”) extends over at least one screen (frame). After the image is transmitted to the receiving device 20 and the receiving device 20 completes identification of the type of image data, image data for image output in normal use (hereinafter referred to as “image data for output”) is transmitted to the receiving device 20. To do.

  The receiving device 20 is an LVDS sink device corresponding to the transmitting device 10, but is not limited thereto. The receiving device 20 latches the received four pairs of differential signals IN0 to IN3 with the differential clocks CLKP and CLKN, and converts the latched differential signals IN0 to IN3 into parallel output signals OUT [27: 0]. . When the operation of the edge counter, which will be described later, is valid, the receiving device 20 has an attribute of each bit (that is, each data unit) of the output signal OUT [27: 0] (that is, a bit indicating what each data unit indicates). And the format defining the arrangement of each data unit is identified according to the result of the identification of the attribute, and the format is stored. The receiving device 20 rearranges each data unit of the output signal OUT [27: 0] based on the format, and outputs (for example, displays) an image according to the rearranged signal. In order to realize such a function, the reception device 20 includes, for example, a reception unit 21, a control unit 22, an edge counter 23, a signal identification unit 24, a data rearrangement unit 25, a register 26, and an output unit 27. It is comprised including. Note that the receiving device 20 of this example is configured to rearrange data in units of data units for one cycle under the LVDS standard, but is not limited to this, for example, data units for a predetermined cycle The data may be rearranged for the data unit under a standard in which data transmission is performed in units of.

  The reception unit 21 is an interface of a sink device of LVDS, and differential signals IN0 to IN3 indicating a serial 28-bit data block related to image data transmitted from the transmission device 10 are converted into parallel output signals OUT [27: 0]. The data is converted and output to the edge counter 23 and the data rearrangement unit 25. Specifically, the reception unit 21 generates an internal clock and an output clock CLKO based on the differential clocks CLKP and CLKN, and 28-bit data transmitted from the transmission device 10 based on the generated internal clock. The four pairs of serial differential signals IN0 to IN3 indicating the block are latched. The receiving unit 21 further converts the latched differential signals IN0 to IN3 into parallel output signals OUT [27: 0], and converts the output signal OUT [27: 0] to the edge counter 23 based on the output clock CLKO. The data is output to the data rearrangement unit 25.

  The control unit 22 controls the edge counter 23 in order to control the operation of the receiving device 20. Specifically, when detecting that the receiving device 20 is connected to the transmitting device 10, the control unit 22 sets the state of the control signal CNT to “valid” and outputs the signal to the edge counter 23. In this example, the control unit 22 sets the state of the control signal CNT to “valid” when the reception device 20 is connected to the transmission device 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 22 May determine the state of the control signal CNT according to some externally input signal.

  The edge counter 23 counts the number of changes in the value of each data unit of the output signal OUT [27: 0] output from the receiving unit 21 according to the control signal CNT, and outputs the count result to the data rearranging unit 25. . Specifically, when the state of the control signal CNT output from the control unit 22 is “valid”, the edge counter 23 sets the output signal OUT [27: 0] output from the reception unit 21 for each data unit. The number of value changes is counted over, for example, several screens of the image output by the output unit 27. The edge counter 23 outputs the count result to the signal identification unit 24 as the count signal COUNT. On the other hand, when the state of the control signal CNT is “invalid”, the edge counter 23 stops counting the number of changes in the value of each data unit of the output signal OUT [27: 0].

  The signal identification unit 24 identifies the attribute of each data unit of the output signal OUT [27: 0] according to the count signal COUNT output from the edge counter 23, and defines the arrangement of each data unit based on the identified attribute. Identify the format to be used. The signal identification unit 24 stores the identified format and outputs the identified format to the data rearrangement unit 25 as identification information ID. Attributes include, for example, a red component signal R [7: 0], a green component signal G [7: 0], a blue component signal B [7: 0], a data enable signal EN, a horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC, a vertical synchronization signal VSYNC, and Divided into dummy signals.

  The data rearrangement unit 25 rearranges each data unit of the output signal OUT [27: 0] output from the reception unit 21 in accordance with the identification information ID output from the signal identification unit 24, and the rearranged data unit is displayed. Output to the register 26. Specifically, the data rearrangement unit 25 corresponds to each data unit of the output signal OUT [27: 0] output from the reception unit 21 in accordance with the format indicated by the identification information ID output from the signal identification unit 24. The data units are rearranged so as to be output as a signal indicating the attribute to be processed. That is, each of the 27-bit data units excluding the dummy data unit has a red component signal R [7: 0] having red component information, a green component signal G [7: 0] having green component information, and blue color. Assigned to any of blue component signal B [7: 0] having component information, data enable signal EN having data enable information, horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC having horizontal synchronization information, and vertical synchronization signal VSYNC having vertical synchronization information. . The data rearrangement unit 25 outputs the data units subjected to the rearrangement to the registers 26 (1) to 26 (6).

  The register 26 functions as a buffer, latches each rearranged data unit output from the data rearrangement unit 25, and outputs it to the output unit 27. Specifically, each of the registers 26 (1) to 26 (6) includes a red component signal R [7: 0], a green component signal G [7: 0], and a blue component output from the data rearrangement unit 25. The signal B [7: 0], the data enable signal EN, the horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC, and the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC are latched, and the latched data units are output to the output unit 27.

  The output unit 27 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel, a plasma display panel, or an organic electroluminescence display panel, but is not limited thereto. The output unit 27 outputs (for example, displays) an image according to a pixel data block configured by the rearranged data units output from the register 26. The pixel data block is composed of data units for one pixel of image data. The pixel data block is equal to the data block in the image transmission system 1 according to the LVDS standard.

  In the image transmission system 1 configured as described above, the reception device 20 receives differential signals IN0 to IN3 indicating identification image data transmitted from the transmission device 10 at the time of connection, for example, by the reception unit 21, and receives the reception signals. The converted signal is converted into a parallel output signal OUT [27: 0]. The receiving device 20 sets the operation of the edge counter 23 to “valid”, counts the number of changes in the value of each data unit of the output signal OUT [27: 0], and outputs the output signal OUT [27: 0] is identified, and a format that defines the arrangement of each data unit is stored based on the identified attribute. After such identification processing, the receiving apparatus 20 “invalidates” the operation of the edge counter 23, and thereafter, the output signal OUT [in accordance with the differential signals IN 0 to IN 3 indicating the output image data output from the transmitting apparatus 10. 27: 0] are rearranged in the order according to the stored format and output, and an image according to the output result is output. As a result, the image transmission system 1 can identify the image data using image data (that is, identification image data) that can be transmitted by a general-purpose transmission device according to a predetermined standard.

  FIG. 2 is a timing chart for illustrating the operation of the receiving unit in the receiving apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the times at which the states of the differential signals IN0 to IN3 transmitted by the transmission device 10 to the reception device 20 transition are defined as times t201 to t208, respectively.

  The receiving device 20 receives the differential clock CLKP from the transmitting device 10 at times t201 to t207, and generates an internal clock and an output clock CLKO based on the clock. Further, the receiving device 20 latches the differential signals IN0 to IN3 corresponding to the data units D0 to D27 transmitted from the transmitting device 10 based on the internal clock.

  At time t208, the receiving apparatus 20 converts the latched differential signals IN0 to IN3 into parallel output signals OUT [27: 0], and based on the generated output clock CLKO, the output signal OUT [27: 0]. Are output to the edge counter 23 and the data rearrangement unit 25.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation of the output unit in the receiving apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, an output unit 27 according to the present embodiment outputs an image based on image data by scanning an image frame 300 with pixels 320. The scanning is performed by, for example, a progressive method or an interlace method. In this example, when the data enable signal EN is “H” (for example, power supply potential) and the pixel 320 is scanning the image output area 310 in the image frame 300, the output unit 27 outputs red / An image represented by 8 bits of each color component of green and blue is output.

  Further, the output unit 27 determines the image output area 310 according to the horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC and the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC output from the register 26. Specifically, the output unit 27 scans the image frame 300 by a predetermined number of scanning lines after the state of the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC changes from “H” to “L” (for example, ground potential). Is determined as the vertical length of the image output area 310, while the pixel 320 passes through the image frame 300 within a predetermined range after the state of the horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC changes from “H” to “L”. The length until scanning for the number of pixels is determined as the horizontal length of the image output area 310. Note that the state of the data enable signal EN is typically “H” when the pixel 320 is scanning the image output region 310, or is always fixed to “H”.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating details of identification image data transmitted from the transmission apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, each area obtained by dividing the image output area 310 for each line is defined as a scanning line 311.

  As shown in the figure, the transmitting apparatus 10 firstly uses red component signal R [7: 0], green component signal G [7: 0], and blue component signal B [7: 0] as identification image data. Data blocks each of which is 00 are transmitted for one line. Next, the transmitting apparatus 10 transmits data blocks in which the red component signal R [7: 0] is 01 and each of the green component signal G [7: 0] and the blue component signal B [7: 0] is 00. Send one line. Next, the transmitting apparatus 10 has data bits 03 of the red component signal R [7: 0], and each of the green component signal G [7: 0] and the blue component signal B [7: 0] is 00. Send one line block. As described above, the transmission apparatus 10 transmits identification image data in which the number of data units having a value “1” is different for each scanning line 311 in the reception apparatus 20. Finally, the transmission apparatus 10 outputs an image of a data block in which each of the red component signal R [7: 0], the green component signal G [7: 0], and the blue component signal B [7: 0] is FF. Transmit to the end of area 310.

  In this example, the transmitting apparatus 10 transmits identification image data in which the number of data units having a value “1” increases for each scanning line 311, but is not limited thereto. The identification image data may be different in the number of times that the value of each data unit indicated by each color component signal is “1” in the image output area 310. Therefore, there is no restriction on which data block is output to each scanning line 311 (that is, the output order of the data block). Further, in this example, the transmitting apparatus 10 has the largest number of changes in the value of the data unit indicated by the red component signal R [0] and the smallest number of changes in the value of the data unit indicated by the blue component signal B [7]. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and assignment of the number of changes in value to the data unit indicated by each color component signal can be freely determined.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the receiving apparatus when the transmitting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention transmits identification image data to the receiving apparatus. In the figure, first, the receiving apparatus 20 sets the operation of the edge counter 23 to “valid” (S501). Next, the receiving device 20 receives differential signals IN0 to IN3 indicating identification image data transmitted from the transmitting device 10 over, for example, several screens (S502), and receives the differential signals IN0 to IN3 as parallel output signals. Convert to OUT [27: 0].

  Next, the receiving device 20 counts the number of times the value of each data unit indicated by the output signal OUT [27: 0] is changed by the edge counter 23 (S503). The receiving apparatus 20 identifies the data unit having the smallest number of changes in value among the data units indicated by the output signal OUT [27: 0] as the data unit indicating the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC (S504). Subsequently, the receiving apparatus 20 removes the data unit indicating the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC from each data unit indicated by the output signal OUT [27: 0], and then, according to the number of changes in the value of each data unit, the red component signal R [ 7: 0], the data unit indicating the green component signal G [7: 0] and the blue component signal B [7: 0] is identified (S505).

  Next, the receiving device 20 starts from the output signal OUT [27: 0] to the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC, the red component signal R [7: 0], the green component signal G [7: 0], and the blue component signal B [7: When data units indicating 0] are excluded, it is determined how many remaining data units have changed values (S506). When the receiving device 20 determines that the remaining data unit whose value has changed is zero (“0” in S506), the receiving device 20 considers that there is an abnormality in the image data for identification or the receiving device 20, and identifies the signal. The storage information of the unit 24 is initialized (S507), and the process returns to step S502.

  When the receiving apparatus 20 determines that there are two remaining data units whose values have changed (“2” in S506), the data receiving signal EN and the horizontal level are changed according to the number of changes in the values of the two data units. A data unit indicating the synchronization signal HSYNC is identified. Specifically, the receiving apparatus 20 identifies a data unit having a small number of value changes among the two data units as a data unit indicating the data enable signal EN, while identifying a data unit having a large number of value changes. The data unit indicating the horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC is identified (S508), and the data unit having no change in value is identified as the data unit indicating the dummy bit. Further, when the receiving apparatus 20 determines that there is one remaining data unit whose value has changed (“1” in S506), the remaining one data unit is a data unit indicating the horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC. The data enable signal EN is assumed to be fixed to “1” (S509), and the data unit having no change in value is identified as the data unit indicating the horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC and the dummy bit.

  The receiving apparatus 20 includes each data unit indicated by the output signal OUT [27: 0] identified in the processing of steps S503 to S509, each color signal, the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC, the horizontal synchronization signal HSYNC, the data enable signal EN, and a dummy signal. Are stored in the signal identification unit 24 (S510). The receiving apparatus 20 sets the operation of the edge counter 23 to invalid (S511), and thereafter follows the differential signals IN0 to IN3 indicating the output image data output from the transmitting apparatus 10 according to the stored contents of the signal identifying unit 24. The data units are rearranged so that each data unit of the output signal OUT [27: 0] is output as a signal indicating the corresponding attribute, and an image according to the rearranged data unit is output (S512).

  As described above, the reception device 20 according to the present embodiment receives the differential signals IN0 to IN3 indicating the identification image data transmitted from the transmission device 10 by the reception unit 21, and outputs the received signals in parallel. Conversion to signal OUT [27: 0]. The receiving apparatus 20 sets the operation of the edge counter 23 to “valid”, counts the number of changes in the value of the data unit indicated by the output signal OUT [27: 0], and outputs the output signal OUT [27: 0] is identified, and a format defining the arrangement of each data unit is stored according to the identification result. Subsequently, the receiving device 20 makes the operation of the edge counter 23 “invalid”, and thereafter the output signal OUT [27: 0] according to the differential signals IN0 to IN3 output from the transmitting device 10 by the data rearrangement unit 25. Each data unit is output as an image while being rearranged according to the format. Thereby, the receiving device 20 can identify the image data transmitted from the transmitting device 10.

  In this example, the receiving apparatus 20 typically identifies the attribute of each data unit of the output signal OUT [27: 0] for all the scanning lines 311 of the image of one frame. It is not limited to. The receiving device 20 performs the identification of the attribute of each data unit only for a predetermined number of scanning lines of one frame image, and skips the identification of the attribute for the scanning lines 311 exceeding the predetermined number. good.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of a schematic configuration of an image transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, an image transmission system 1A according to the present embodiment includes a transmission device 10A and a reception device 20A.

  The transmitting apparatus 10A is configured so that the transmitting apparatus 10 corresponds to the mini-LVDS standard instead of the LVDS. The transmitting apparatus 10A uses a differential signal INn (n is an integer) in which a data string of 8 bits instead of 7 bits is superimposed in a time-division manner to convert a 24-bit or 32-bit data block into a serial differential. The signals are transmitted to the receiving device 20 as signals IN0 to IN2 or IN0 to IN3. In addition, the transmission device 10A transmits identification image data different from the transmission device 10 to the reception device 20A. In this example, it is assumed that the image transmission system 1A uses four pairs of differential signal lines.

  The receiving device 20A corresponds to the mini-LVDS standard instead of the LVDS. The receiving apparatus 20A performs the same operation as the receiving apparatus 20 except that it receives four pairs of differential signals IN0 to IN3 indicating a 32-bit data block instead of 28 bits. The reception device 20A includes a reception unit 21A, a control unit 22, an edge counter 23A, a signal identification unit 24A, a data rearrangement unit 25A, a register 26A, and an output unit 27.

  The reception unit 21A is an interface of a mini-LVDS sink device, receives serial differential signals IN0 to IN3 indicating a 32-bit data block transmitted from the transmission device 10A, and outputs the received signals as parallel output signals. It converts to OUT [31: 0] and outputs it to the edge counter 23A and the data rearrangement unit 25A. Specifically, the reception unit 21A latches four pairs of serial differential signals IN0 to IN3 indicating a 32-bit data block transmitted from the transmission device 10A based on the differential clocks CLKP and CLKN. The receiving unit 21A converts the latched signal into a parallel output signal OUT [31: 0], and converts the output signal OUT [31: 0] into the edge counter 23A and the data rearrangement unit 25A based on the output clock CLKO. And output.

  The edge counter 23A and the signal identification unit 24A perform the same operations as the edge counter 23 and the signal identification unit 24, respectively, except that the number of bits of signals to be handled is different.

  The data rearrangement unit 25A rearranges each data unit indicated by the output signal OUT [31: 0] output from the reception unit 21 in accordance with the format stored in the identification signal ID output from the signal identification unit 24A. The rearranged data units are output to the register 26A as data signals D [31: 0]. Specifically, the data rearrangement unit 25A outputs the output signal OUT [31 output from the reception unit 21A according to a format that defines the arrangement of each data unit stored in the identification signal ID output from the signal identification unit 24A. : 0] is rearranged so that each data unit indicated by the corresponding data signal D [31: 0] is allocated, and each data unit subjected to the rearrangement is registered as a data signal D [31: 0]. To 26A.

  The register 26A functions as a buffer, latches the signal output from the data rearrangement unit 25A, and outputs it to the output unit 27. Specifically, the register 26A latches the data signal D [31: 0] output from the data rearrangement unit 25A, and outputs the latched signal to the output unit 27.

  FIG. 7 is a timing chart for illustrating the operation of the receiving unit in the receiving apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the times at which the states of the differential signals IN0 to IN3 transmitted by the transmitting device 10A transition are time t701 to t709, respectively. That is, the identification image data is transmitted as a 32-bit data block (data unit D0 to D31).

  From time t701 to t708, the reception device 20A receives the differential clock CLKP from the transmission device 10A and generates an output clock CLKO based on the clock. The receiving device 20A latches the differential signals IN0 to IN3 indicating the data units D0 to D31 transmitted from the transmitting device 10A based on the differential clock CLKP.

  At time t709, the receiving device 20A converts the latched differential signals IN0 to IN3 into parallel output signals OUT [31: 0], and the output signal OUT [31: 0] is edged based on the output clock CLKO. The data is output to the counter 23A and the data rearrangement unit 25A.

  FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the differential signal output from the transmission apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention and the image data indicated by the signal. Note that the transmitting apparatus 10A uses three pairs of differential signals IN0 to IN2 to transmit image data to the receiving apparatus 20A.

  The transmitting apparatus 10A generates and outputs a differential signal IN0 indicating the red pixel image information R1 [0] to R1 [7] of the first pixel as the first data block at each of the times t701 to t708. A differential signal IN1 indicating image information G1 [0] to G1 [7] of the green component of the first pixel is generated and output, and image information B1 [0] to B [7] of the blue component of the first pixel is output. The differential signal IN2 shown is generated and output.

  Subsequently, the transmitting device 10A generates and outputs a differential signal IN0 indicating the red component image information R2 [0] to R2 [7] of the second pixel at each time of times t709 to t716, and outputs the differential signal IN0. The differential signal IN1 indicating the green component image information G1 [0] to G1 [7] is generated and output, and the differential signal indicating the blue component image information B1 [0] to B1 [7] of the second pixel. Generate and output IN2.

  FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the differential signal output from the transmission apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention and the image data indicated by the signal. Note that the transmitting device 10A uses four pairs of differential signals IN0 to IN3 to transmit image data to the receiving device 20A.

  At each time from time t701 to time t708, the transmitting apparatus 10A, as the first data block, for the first pixel, the differential signal IN0 indicating the red component image information R1 [0] to R1 [7], the green color component information A differential signal IN1 indicating image information G1 [0] to G1 [7] is generated and output, and a differential signal IN2 indicating image information B1 [0] to B1 [7] of the blue component is generated and output. Further, the transmitting apparatus 10A generates and outputs a differential signal IN3 indicating the image information R2 [0] to R2 [7] of the red component of the second pixel as the first data block.

  Subsequently, the transmitting apparatus 10A outputs, as the second data block, the differential signal IN0 indicating the green component image information G2 [0] to G2 [7] for the second pixel at each of the times t709 to t716. At the same time, the differential signal IN1 indicating the blue component image information B2 [0] to B2 [7] is generated and output. Further, the transmitting device 10A generates and outputs a differential signal IN2 indicating the red component image information R3 [0] to R3 [7] of the third pixel as the second data block, and also outputs the green component image. A differential signal IN3 indicating information G3 [0] to G3 [7] is generated and output.

  FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the contents of identification image data output from the transmission apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, it is assumed that the transmitting apparatus 10A transmits image data to the receiving apparatus 20A using three pairs of transmission paths. In the transmission device 10A, the red component signal R [7: 0] of the first pixel is 01, the green component signal G [7: 0], and the blue component signal B [ 7: 0] transmit differential signals IN0 to IN2 indicating data blocks each of which is 00.

  From time t705 to t708, the transmitting apparatus 10A uses the red component signal R [7: 0], the green component signal G [7: 0], and the blue component signal B as the second pixel image data as the second data block. Differential signals IN0 to IN2 indicating data blocks in which [7: 0] are all 00 are transmitted. Subsequently, at time t709 to t712, the transmitting apparatus 10A, as the third data block, has the red component signal R [7: 0] of 01, the green component signal G [7: 0], and the blue component signal B [ 7: 0] transmit differential signals IN0 to IN2 indicating data blocks each of which is 00. Further, from time t713 to t716, the transmitting apparatus 10A receives the red component signal R [7: 0], the green component signal G [7: 0], and the blue component signal B [7: 0] as the fourth data block. Differential signals IN0 to IN2 indicating image data that are all 00 are transmitted.

  As described above, the transmitting apparatus 10A transmits the identification image data as the differential signals IN0 to IN2 so that the number of data units having a value of “1” differs for each valid data block. In addition, the transmitting apparatus 10A transmits data blocks in which signals of each color are all 00 every other pixel as differential signals IN0 to IN2 in order to identify valid data block boundaries. Finally, the transmitting apparatus 10A outputs an image of a data block in which each of the red component signal R [7: 0], the green component signal G [7: 0], and the blue component signal B [7: 0] is FF. Transmit to the end of area 310.

  FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram for explaining identification image data transmitted from a transmission apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, it is assumed that the transmitting apparatus 10A transmits image data to the receiving apparatus 20A using three pairs of transmission paths. In the figure, each area obtained by dividing the scanning line 311 for each pixel is defined as a pixel area 3110.

  As shown in the figure, the transmitting apparatus 10A transmits the image data for identification so that the number of data units indicated by each color signal having a value of “1” differs for each pixel area 3110 indicating a valid data block. . Further, the transmitting apparatus 10A transmits a data block in which the state of each color signal is 00 after each pixel area 3110 indicating a valid data block. Finally, the transmitting apparatus 10A transmits a data block in which the red component signal R [7: 0], the green component signal G [7: 0], and the blue component signal B [7: 0] are all FF, and so on. Continue to send the same data block.

  FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing the contents of identification image data output from the transmission apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, it is assumed that the transmitting apparatus 10A transmits image data to the receiving apparatus 20A using four pairs of transmission paths.

  At time t701 to t704, the transmission device 10A has the red component signal R [7: 0] of the first pixel as 01, the green component signal G [7: 0], and the blue component signal B as the first data block. The differential signals IN0 to IN2 indicating the pixel data block whose [7: 0] is 00 are transmitted. Further, the transmitting device 10A transmits a differential signal IN3 indicating a part of the pixel data block of the second pixel in which all the color signals are 00 as the first data block.

  From time t705 to t708, the transmitting apparatus 10A transmits differential signals IN0 and IN1 indicating a part of the pixel data block of the second pixel whose signals of each color are all 00 as the second data block. In addition, the transmission device 10A transmits differential signals IN2 and IN3 indicating a part of the pixel data block of the third pixel in which all the color signals are 00 as the second data block.

  From time t709 to t712, the transmitting apparatus 10A transmits a differential signal IN0 indicating a part of the pixel data block of the third pixel in which the signals of each color are all 00 as the third data block. In addition, the transmission device 10A transmits differential signals IN1 to IN3 indicating the pixel data block of the fourth pixel in which the signals of each color are all 00 as the third data block.

  From time t713 to t716, as the fourth data block, the transmitting apparatus 10A has the red component signal R [7: 0] of 03, the green component signal G [7: 0], and the blue component signal B [7: 0]. ] Are transmitted differential signals IN0 to IN2 indicating a pixel data block of the fifth pixel in which 00 is 00. Further, the transmission device 10A transmits a differential signal IN3 indicating a part of the pixel data block of the sixth pixel in which all the color signals are 00 as the fourth data block.

  As described above, the transmitting apparatus 10A transmits the identification image data so that the number of data units having a value “1” differs for each valid data block. Further, the transmitting apparatus 10A is configured so that only the differential signals IN0 to IN2 indicate valid data blocks, so that the difference between the valid data blocks indicates pixel data blocks in which the signals of each color for three pixels are all 00. Motion signals IN0 to IN3 are transmitted.

  FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram for explaining identification image data transmitted from a transmission apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, it is assumed that the transmitting device 10A transmits differential signals IN0 to IN3 indicating image data to the receiving device 20A using four pairs of transmission paths.

  As shown in the figure, the transmitting apparatus 10A has differential signals IN0 to IN0 indicating identification image data so that the number of data units having a value of “1” is different for each pixel area 3110 indicating a valid data block. Send IN3. In addition, the transmitting apparatus 10A sets the pixel data block in which each signal is all 00 after the pixel area 3110 indicating a valid data block as only three pixels, that is, as two data blocks, as differential signals IN0 to IN3. Send. Finally, the transmitting apparatus 10A performs differential processing that indicates a pixel data block in which the red component signal R [7: 0], the green component signal G [7: 0], and the blue component signal B [7: 0] are all FF. Signals IN0 to IN3 are transmitted, and thereafter differential signals IN0 to IN3 indicating the same pixel data block are continuously transmitted.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the receiving apparatus that has received the identification image data according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, first, the receiving apparatus 20A sets the operation of the edge counter 23A to “valid” (S1401). Next, the receiving device 20A receives differential signals IN0 to IN3 indicating identification image data transmitted from the transmitting device 10A over several screens (S1402), and receives the differential signals IN0 to IN3 as parallel output signals OUT [ 31: 0].

  The receiving apparatus 20A counts the number of changes in the value of the data unit indicated by each signal of the output signal OUT [31: 0] by the edge counter 23A (S1403). The receiving device 20A identifies each color signal according to the number of changes in the value of each data unit (S1404).

  The receiving device 20A stores each format of the identified output signal OUT [31: 0] in the signal identifying unit 24A (S1405). The receiving apparatus 20A sets the operation of the edge counter 23A to “invalid” (S1406). The receiving device 20A rearranges the data units indicated by the output signals OUT [31: 0] according to the differential signals IN0 to IN3 indicating the output image data output from the transmitting device 10A according to the stored contents of the signal identifying unit 24A. Then, an image according to each rearranged data unit is output (S1407).

  As described above, the receiving device 20A according to the present embodiment receives the differential signals IN0 to IN3 indicating the identification image data transmitted from the transmitting device 10A by the receiving unit 21A, and outputs the received signals in parallel. Conversion to signal OUT [31: 0]. The receiving device 20A sets the operation of the edge counter 23A to “valid”, counts the number of changes in the value of the data unit indicated by the output signal OUT [31: 0], and outputs the output signal OUT [31: 0] is identified, and a format indicating a correspondence relationship with the attribute defining the arrangement of each data unit is stored. The receiving apparatus 20A “invalidates” the operation of the edge counter 23A, and thereafter identifies each data unit indicated by the output signals OUT [31: 0] according to the differential signals IN0 to IN3 output from the transmitting apparatus 10A. Are rearranged in the order according to the output, and an image according to the output result is output. As a result, the receiving device 20A can identify the image data transmitted from the transmitting device 10A using the identification image data.

  Each of the above embodiments is an example for explaining the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention only to these embodiments. The present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist thereof.

  For example, in the method disclosed herein, steps, operations, or functions may be performed in parallel or in a different order, as long as the results do not conflict. The steps, operations, and functions described are provided as examples only, and some of the steps, operations, and functions may be omitted and combined with each other without departing from the spirit of the invention. There may be one, and other steps, operations or functions may be added.

  Further, although various embodiments are disclosed in this specification, a specific feature (technical matter) in one embodiment is appropriately improved and added to another embodiment or the other implementation. Specific features in the form can be substituted, and such form is also included in the gist of the present invention.

  The present invention can be widely used in the field of image transmission systems for transmitting image data.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image transmission system 10 ... Transmission apparatus 20 ... Reception apparatus 21 ... Reception part 22 ... Control part 23 ... Edge counter 24 ... Signal identification part 25 ... Data rearrangement part 26 ... Register 27 ... Output part 300 ... Image frame 310 ... Image Output area 311 ... Scan line 3110 ... Pixel area 320 ... Pixel

Claims (14)

A receiving device for outputting an image based on image data transmitted from a transmitting device according to a predetermined format,
A receiving unit for receiving image data composed of a plurality of data blocks each having a predetermined number of data units;
An identification unit for identifying a format determined for the transmission device based on specific image data received by the reception device, and storing the identified format;
A data rearrangement unit for rearranging the arrangement of the data units in each data block of the image data based on the arrangement information according to the format;
An output unit that outputs an image based on a pixel data block based on a data unit that has been sorted by the data sorting unit;
With
The identification unit obtains the number of changes in the value of each data unit in each data block constituting the specific image data, and identifies the attribute of the data unit based on the obtained number of changes. Identify the format,
The specific image data is configured so that values between data units in the data block are different from each other for each scanning line in an image for one frame.
Receiver device.   The receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the values of the data blocks in the scanning lines are the same.   The receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit ignores the identification of the attribute of the data unit for the scan lines exceeding a predetermined number in the image for one frame.   The receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the identifying unit identifies the format based on the specific image data transmitted from the transmitting device when a connection between the transmitting device and the receiving device is established.   The receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit identifies the format based on the specific image data corresponding to images of a plurality of frames.   The receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data rearrangement unit rearranges image data received after the reception of the specific image data by the reception unit.   The receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit identifies at least color component information, data enable information, vertical synchronization information, and horizontal synchronization information as attributes of the data unit.   The receiving apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the identification unit identifies, as the vertical synchronization information, an attribute of a data unit in which the obtained number of changes is the smallest and the value has changed a plurality of times.   The receiving device according to claim 8, wherein the identification unit identifies an attribute related to the color component information after an attribute related to the vertical synchronization information is identified.   The identification unit obtains the number of data units in which the value is changed among the attributes of the data units that have not been identified after the attribute relating to the color component information is identified, and according to the obtained number The receiving apparatus according to claim 9, wherein attributes relating to horizontal synchronization information and attributes relating to data enable information are identified. The identification unit is
If the obtained number of data units is “1”, the attribute of the data unit that has not yet been identified is identified as horizontal synchronization information;
When the obtained number of data units is “2”, the attribute of the obtained data unit having a small number of changes among the unidentified data units is identified as horizontal synchronization information, and is not yet identified. The receiving device according to claim 10, wherein among the data units not yet identified, an attribute of a data unit having a large number of obtained changes is identified as data enable information.   The receiving device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit receives image data transmitted according to at least one of LVDS and mini-LVDS standards. A method for identifying the format of image data transmitted from a transmission device according to a predetermined format, comprising:
Receiving specific image data composed of a plurality of data blocks each having a predetermined number of data units;
Obtaining the number of changes in the value of each data unit in each data block constituting the specific image data;
Identifying an attribute of the data unit based on the determined number of changes, and identifying the format according to the identified result;
Including
The specific image data is configured so that values between data units in the data block are different from each other for each scanning line in an image for one frame.
Method. An image transmission system comprising: a transmission device that transmits image data according to a predetermined format; and a reception device that is connected to the transmission device and receives the image data,
When the connection with the receiving device is established, the transmitting device transmits specific image data corresponding to an image of at least one frame, each composed of a plurality of data blocks each having a predetermined number of data units. A transmission unit
The receiving device is:
A receiving unit for receiving the specific image data transmitted from the transmitting device;
An identification unit for identifying a format determined for the transmission device based on specific image data received by the reception device, and storing the identified format;
A data rearrangement unit for rearranging the arrangement of the data units in each data block of the image data based on the arrangement information according to the format;
An output unit that outputs an image based on a pixel data block based on a data unit that has been sorted by the data sorting unit;
With
The identification unit obtains the number of changes in the value of each data unit in each data block constituting the specific image data, and identifies the attribute of the data unit based on the obtained number of changes. Identify the format,
The specific image data is configured so that values between data units in the data block are different from each other for each scanning line in an image for one frame.
Image transmission system.