JP3078392B2 - Multiple image display device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image display device used in a computer or an image communication terminal, and more particularly to a display device for displaying a plurality of images.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a CRT or the like has been used as an image display device of a computer or an image communication terminal. As a method of displaying a plurality of images by these devices, a screen division method shown in FIG. 10 and an overlap window method shown in FIG. 11 are used. In the screen division method of FIG.
The first image 101 and the second image 10 are displayed on one screen 100.
When displaying the second and third images 103, the display area of the screen 100 is divided into three according to the number of the images, and displayed so as not to overlap each other. On the other hand, in the overlap window method of FIG. 11, a window is independently set on the screen 200 for each image and displayed while allowing overlapping. For example, in FIG. 7, the first image 201 overlaps the second image 202 displayed earlier, and the third image 1
03 are overlapped and displayed. In addition to these methods, a method of superimposing and displaying images in a translucent manner (Japanese Patent Application No. 3-7893) has been used.

[0003]

However, the above-described method of displaying a plurality of images according to the prior art has the following problems.

(1) The screen division method as shown in FIG. 10 has a problem that a limited screen space must be divided into image regions, and each space is reduced.

(2) In the overlap window method as shown in FIG. 11, there is a problem that a portion where another image is overlapped on the lower image is hidden and cannot be seen.

(3) In the method of displaying images in a semi-transparent manner, the above-mentioned problems such as the reduction of the space and the fact that the images become hidden and invisible can be solved. It was difficult to recognize.

As described above, in the conventional device, a plurality of images can be displayed on one screen without reducing the space of each image, concealing other images from each other, and the user can distinguish and recognize each image. There was no easy way to display it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to display a plurality of images on a single screen without reducing the display space of each image. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-image display device capable of displaying images in a form that allows a user to sort and easily recognize images without hiding the images.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a multi-image display device for simultaneously displaying a plurality of images different from each other , which is electrically controlled to be transparent or translucent. A plurality of liquid crystal screens arranged to be spaced apart from each other, a liquid crystal screen control device for sequentially controlling one of the plurality of liquid crystal screens to be translucent and controlling the other liquid crystal screens to be transparent, and An image selection device that selects and outputs one of a plurality of input images different from each other in synchronization with the screen control device making the liquid crystal screen translucent;
An image projection device that projects the image selected by the image selection device toward the liquid crystal screen, or electrically controlled to be transparent or translucent and spaced apart from each other. A plurality of liquid crystal screens arranged one above the other , a plurality of image projection devices that simultaneously project each image toward the liquid crystal screen corresponding to the plurality of mutually different images, and a plurality of image projection devices in front of the image projection devices. An electronic shutter capable of electrically controlling the disposed transparency; and controlling one of the plurality of liquid crystal screens to be translucent sequentially to control the other liquid crystal screens to be transparent and making the liquid crystal screen translucent. And a control device for controlling one of the electronic shutters to open and the other electronic shutter to close in synchronization with the control device. That. Further, the image projection device may include:
Up to the plurality of liquid crystal screens that form projected images
The image is reduced on the LCD screen in proportion to the distance.
It is characterized in that it is configured to project in a small and enlarged manner.

[0010]

In the multi-image display device according to the present invention, the liquid crystal screen control device or the control device makes one of the plurality of liquid crystal screens overlapping each other translucent and makes the other liquid crystal screens transparent in synchronization with each other. The image selection device selects an image to be displayed on the translucent liquid crystal screen, or opens one of the electronic shutters in front of the plurality of image projection devices, and projects the image with the image projection device. Since the projected image passes through the transparent liquid crystal screen and forms an image only on the translucent liquid crystal screen, the image corresponding to each liquid crystal screen is selected and projected and displayed while sequentially changing the translucent liquid crystal screen. This is done while switching at a high speed, so that the user can see that each image is always displayed on a plurality of overlapping liquid crystal screens located at different distances from the observation point.

Since each image is transparent during the period when each image is displayed, the other liquid crystal screens that do not display the image are transparent, so that the user can always see each image, and each image is covered by another image. It will not disappear. Further, each image can be displayed in the maximum size that can be displayed by the image display device constituting the device.

Also, since each image is located at a different distance from the user's observation point, the user can easily view each image by using the focus adjustment function of the eyes or viewing the image while moving the observation position. We can distinguish and recognize.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention. The present embodiment is an example in which one video project and three liquid crystal screens are used as an image projection device. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes three liquid crystal screens (LCS1, LCS2, LCS3) overlapping each other, 20 denotes a liquid crystal screen control device, 30 denotes an image selection device, 40 denotes a video projector, and 50 denotes a plurality of input image signals. S1, S2, and S3 are signals for driving each liquid crystal panel, P1, P2, and P3 are each image signal input by the input image signal 50, and P is the image selection device 3.
0 indicates a display image signal selected by 0 and projected by the video projector 40. U is a user who views the image.

In the configuration of the present embodiment, the three liquid crystal screens LCS1, LCS2 and LCS3 are arranged in parallel at a distance from each other, facing the direction in which the user U looks. A video projector 40 is arranged behind these three liquid crystal screens 10.

In the above, the display image P of the video projector 40 is input from the image selection device 30. A plurality of image selecting devices 30 (three corresponding to the number of liquid crystal screens 10 in the illustrated example) are input by the input image signal 50.
The images P1, P2, and P3 are sequentially switched in synchronization with, for example, a frame period to obtain the display image signal P described above. The synchronization signal synchronized with this switching is also input to the liquid crystal screen control device 20.

The liquid crystal screen 10 becomes transparent when an appropriate AC voltage is applied, and becomes translucent when no AC voltage is applied. The liquid crystal screen control device 20 generates this AC voltage, and sequentially switches in synchronization with the above-mentioned synchronization signal to transmit AC voltage signals S1, S2, S3 to the liquid crystal screens LCS1, LCS2, LCS3.

The operation and operation of the first embodiment having the above configuration will be described. 2A, 2B, and 2C show examples of images displayed in the present embodiment, FIG. 3 is a time chart showing the operation, and FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C. ) And FIG. 5 are diagrams for explaining the operation principle, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining the image enlargement / reduction ratio in the present embodiment.

For the sake of explanation, the image signals P1, P
It is assumed that the images P1, P2, and P3 shown in FIG. The apparatus of the present embodiment has a screen L
CS1, LCS2 and LCS3 have images P1, P2 and P respectively.
3 is displayed. As shown in the time chart of FIG. 3, the image selecting device 30 switches P1 and P1 while switching frame by frame in synchronization with the frame period of the image signal.
2 and P3 are sequentially selected and output, and the selected image P is projected on the liquid crystal screen 10 by the video projector 40.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the liquid crystal screen control device 20 which operates in synchronization with the image selection device 30
In the period T1 shown in the time chart of FIG. 3 in which the image selection device 30 is selectively outputting the image P1,
By applying the AC voltage signals of S2 and S3 and not applying S1, only the liquid crystal screen LCS1 is made translucent and the others are made transparent. The image P1 projected from the video projector 40 is a transparent liquid crystal screen LCS.
2, LCS3 is transmitted and the liquid crystal screen L is in a translucent state.
An image is formed on CS1. As shown in FIG. 4B, in the cycle T2 following the cycle T1, the image selecting device 30
And the liquid crystal screen control device 20 makes only the liquid crystal screen LCS2 translucent by applying the AC voltage signals of S1 and S3 and not applying S2. The image P2 projected from the video projector 40 passes through the liquid crystal screen LCS3 and forms an image on the liquid crystal screen LCS2. At this time, since the liquid crystal screen LCS1 is transparent,
When the user U views the image formed on the liquid crystal screen LCS2, the liquid crystal screen LCS1 is not prevented. Similarly, as shown in FIG.
In a period T3 subsequent to the period T2, the image P3 is selected and projected, and only the liquid crystal screen LCS3 is made translucent to display an image on the liquid crystal screen LCS3. Since the liquid crystal screen on which the image is displayed is translucent, the user U can see the image from the opposite surface.

As described above, by repeating the periods T1, T2, T3 at high speed while synchronizing with the frame period of the video projector signal, the liquid crystal screens LCS1,
Images P1, P2, and P3 can be displayed on LCS2 and LCS3. In addition, during the period in which each image is displayed, other screens do not prevent the user from visually recognizing the display image. As a result, as shown in FIG. Overlapping screens LCS1, LCS2, located at
Images P1, P2, and P3 appear to be displayed at the position of LCS3.

In the apparatus of this embodiment, since one video projector 40 projects images on three screens LCS1, LCS2 and LCS3 located at different distances, a focus is required to focus on each screen. It is necessary to use a projection lens with a large depth. Further, since an image formed on a screen near the video projector 40 is smaller than an image formed on a screen far from the video projector 40, the size of the image needs to be strictly adjusted between the three images. In the case, images P1, P2, P3 to be projected
Needs to be enlarged or reduced by using a method such as image processing. As shown in FIG. 6, the distance between the video projector 40 and the liquid crystal screens LCS1, LCS2, LCS3 is L.
1, L2 and L3. When the projection angle of view of the video projector 40 is adjusted to the liquid crystal screen LCS3, FIG.
As shown in the figure, with respect to the length 1 of one side of the image P3, the image P3
The images P1 and P2 may be reduced so that the lengths C1 and C2 of one side of 1 and P2 are respectively C1 = L3 / L1 and C2 = L3 / L2.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration. In the present embodiment, the device of the present invention is configured using three liquid crystal screens, three video projectors, and a liquid crystal shutter that blocks or transmits the projection light of the video projector, and is more strict than the device of the first embodiment. This is an example in which the focus and projection angle of view of an image can be adjusted to each screen.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 10 denotes three liquid crystal screens (LCS1, LCS2, and LCS3) overlapping each other, reference numerals 41, 42, and 43 denote video projectors arranged in parallel, and reference numeral 60 denotes a projection lens unit of the projector. The video projector 4
The lenses attached to the lens units 1, 42, and 43 are referred to as LCS1 ', LCS2', and LCS3 ', respectively. Reference numeral 61 denotes a liquid crystal screen / liquid crystal shutter control device which controls the transparency of the liquid crystal shutter 60 and the liquid crystal screen 10 in synchronization. Other parts are the same as those of the components having the same numbers as those in FIG.

In the configuration of this embodiment, three images P1, P2, and P3 of the input image signal 50 are input to the corresponding three video projectors 41, 42, and 43, respectively, so that they can be projected on the liquid crystal screen 10. . The three liquid crystal screens LCS1, LCS2, and LCS3 are arranged in parallel at an interval.
Video projectors 41, 42, 43 as in the embodiment of FIG.
Of the liquid crystal screen 10 is viewed from the opposite side. The liquid crystal shutter 60 can be opened and closed by controlling its transparency by applying or not applying an AC voltage, and blocks or transmits the projection light of the video projectors 41, 42, 43.

The operation and operation of the second embodiment having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the operation. The images P1, P2, and P3 are input to the video projectors 41, 42, and 43, respectively, and projected on the liquid crystal screen 10. The video projector 41 has a liquid crystal screen L
Focus on the distance of CS1 and the liquid crystal screen LCS1
The projection angle of view is adjusted to the size of. Similarly, the video projector 42 is adjusted to the liquid crystal screen LCS2, and the video projector 43 is adjusted to the liquid crystal screen LCS3 so that the focal point and the angle of view are adjusted.

While projecting the images P1, P2, and P3 on the video projectors 41, 42, and 43, respectively, the liquid crystal screens LCS1 and LCS are displayed as shown in the time chart of FIG.
S2, LCS3 and liquid crystal shutters LCS1 ', LCS
2 'and LCS 3' are operated. In the period T1 in the figure, only LCS1 'of the three liquid crystal shutters becomes transparent (open), so that only the image P1 is projected on the liquid crystal screen 10, and the other liquid crystal shutters LCS2', LCS are closed.
Blocked at 3 '. At this time, only the LCS1 of the three liquid crystal screens is translucent and the others are transparent, so that the projected image P1 forms an image on the liquid crystal screen LCS1. At this time, since the video projector 41 that projects the image P1 adjusts the focus and the projection angle of view to the liquid crystal screen LCS1, the image to be formed matches both the focus and the size of the liquid crystal screen LCS1. In subsequent T2 and T3, images P2 and P3 are similarly formed on the liquid crystal screens LCS2 and LCS3, respectively. Since the liquid crystal screen on which the image is displayed is translucent, the user can see the image from the opposite side.

In each of the above embodiments, three liquid crystal screens are used. However, it is needless to say that an apparatus using two or four or more liquid crystal screens can be realized. As described above, the present invention can be variously applied according to the gist and can take various embodiments.

[0030]

As described above, according to the multi-image display device of the present invention, a plurality of images can be displayed in a limited field of view without reducing the space of each image. Without hiding, the user can sort and display each image in an easily recognizable form.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are diagrams showing examples of images displayed in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are diagrams for explaining the operation principle of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation principle of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining an image enlargement / reduction ratio in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining an image enlargement / reduction ratio in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional multi-image display screen of a screen division type.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional overlap window type multiple image display screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Plurality of liquid crystal screens 20 ... Liquid crystal screen control device 30 ... Image selection device 40, 41, 42, 43 ... Video projector 50 ... Plural input image signals 60 ... Plural liquid crystal shutters 61 ... Liquid crystal screen / liquid crystal shutter control device LCS1 , LCS2, LCS3 ... liquid crystal screen S1, S2, S3 ... AC voltage signal LCS1 ', LCS2', LCS3 '... liquid crystal shutter P1, P2, P3 ... input image signal (or image) P ... display image signal

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-9003 (JP, A) JP-A-60-165632 (JP, A) JP-A-54-172684 (JP, U) JP-A-58-152283 (JP, A) , U) Hikaru 2-62484 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02F 1/1347 G02F 1/13 505

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of image display devices for simultaneously displaying a plurality of different images, comprising: a plurality of liquid crystal screens which are electrically controlled to be transparent or translucent; A liquid crystal screen control device for sequentially controlling one of the plurality of liquid crystal screens to be translucent and controlling another liquid crystal screen to be transparent; and synchronizing with the liquid crystal screen control device making the liquid crystal screen translucent. An image selection device that selects and outputs one input image from a plurality of mutually different input images; and an image projection device that projects the image selected by the image selection device toward the liquid crystal screen. A multi-image display device, comprising: 2. A plurality of image display devices for simultaneously displaying a plurality of images different from each other, comprising : a plurality of liquid crystal screens which are electrically controlled to be in a transparent or translucent state and which are arranged at intervals from each other; A plurality of image projection devices for simultaneously projecting each image toward the liquid crystal screen corresponding to the plurality of different images; and an electronic shutter disposed in front of each of the image projection devices and capable of electrically controlling transparency. One of the plurality of liquid crystal screens is controlled to be translucent in order, the other liquid crystal screens are controlled to be transparent, and one of the electronic shutters is opened in synchronization with the liquid crystal screen being made translucent. And a control device for controlling the other electronic shutter to be closed and the other electronic shutter to be closed. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein The image projection device is configured to form the plurality of projected images.
In proportion to the length of the distance to the LCD screen,
To clean, project the image by reducing or enlarging it. Features
Multiple image display device.