JP3382170B2 - Multi-window 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 a multi-window image display device capable of superimposing a plurality of images on a common screen and displaying them. In the art, "plane" is generally used as a term indicating a hierarchy of display objects. In the present specification, the term plain is used for word unification.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, most recent television devices have a so-called multi-window function, which is capable of displaying a plurality of planes on a main image on one screen in an overlapping manner. The information displayed on the plane is
Video (video) of another channel, EPG (Electrical Progr)
am Guide: An electronic program guide screen, a data broadcasting screen, a subtitle character super screen, etc., which are convenient because viewers can access multiple pieces of information at the same time.

However, in the conventional device of this type, when the plane is displayed, the information of the main screen as the background is hidden. For example, if a plane is displayed at the lower left (or lower right) of the main screen displaying a professional baseball program, the count information will not be visible.

Such a situation is not only inconvenient for the viewer, but also not preferable for the program sponsor. Therefore, recently, it has been tried to give the plane a transparency so that the rear screen can be seen. That is, a coefficient is set for each of the main screen and the plane, the brightness is adjusted by adjusting the brightness on each screen according to the ratio, and the two are combined to enable transparent display. is there.

By the way, there are various types of planes (due to differences in display contents, etc.), and the values of the coefficients differ accordingly. In addition, at the place where the planes overlap each other, it is necessary to reset the brightness of each plane while considering the brightness of the screen on the back side. In addition, the size of the plane, its display location and density can be freely changed according to the viewer's request.
Each time, the ratio of brightness at each point on the screen must be calculated.

That is, every time the state of the screen (presence / absence of plane, size, position, shading, etc.) is changed, arithmetic processing for setting the luminance ratio must be executed.
Conventionally, this arithmetic processing has been performed by proportional distribution based on the coefficient set for each plane. Because of this, the burden of executing arithmetic processing is heavy, and the hardware (multiplier, adder, etc.) that is the bearer
Tended to be large in scale, leading to problems such as an increase in the size and cost of the device.

[0007]

As described above, in the conventional multi-window type image display device, the brightness ratio calculation processing between the planes is performed by proportional distribution. There was a problem that the scale tended to be large.

The present invention has been made under the above circumstances.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-window image display device in which the scale of hardware is reduced, thereby reducing size and weight.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a multi-window image display device which transparently displays arbitrary n planes on one display screen. Planes are adjusted to M levels (M is a specific number) on the basis of the display coefficients X1, X2, ..., Xn set for each plane, and the planes are combined and displayed on the display screen. A synthetic means to be provided,
Initial values p1, p2, ..., Pn (p1, p2 ,.
M), storage means for storing M), priority setting means for setting a priority for each of the planes in advance, and the display coefficient p (m) = m for a plane having a priority of X (m) = m. Initial value L [A, B] of the display coefficient of the plane having priority of order: When defined as the smaller value of A and B, X (1) = p (1): m = 1 X (m) = L [M- {p (1) + p (2) + ... + p (m
1 )}, p (m)]: m ≠ 1 (when the calculation result X (m) ≦ 0, X (m) = 0 is set).
2, ..., Xn are calculated, and a coefficient calculating means for giving these display coefficients to the synthesizing means is provided.

By setting the priority for each plane in this manner, it becomes possible to incorporate subtraction processing into the calculation of the display coefficient for each plane. That is, by subtracting the coefficient of the lower plane from the coefficient of the highest-priority plane, it is possible to determine the display coefficient to be used for display (which does not necessarily match its initial value). Therefore, the processing load on the hardware can be reduced as compared to the conventional arithmetic processing by proportional distribution, and as a result, the hardware scale can be reduced.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a multi-window image display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, different video planes V1 and V2 are stored in the storage unit 1, and a cursor plane and three types of graphics planes G1 to G3 are stored in the storage unit 2 in predetermined storage areas 1a, 1b and 2a, respectively. 2b, 2c, 2d.

For each of the video planes V1 and V2,
For example, there is a case where one is a still image and the other is a moving image, or one is an image of the A broadcasting station and the other is an image of the B broadcasting station. These video planes V1 and V2 are combined in the blend circuit 4 and given to the blend circuit 6 via the gain setting unit 10.

The cursor plane and each of the graphics planes G1 to G3 are each 8 bpp (bit per pi).
xel) data is stored. These 8-bit data are converted into CLUT (Color Look Up) by themselves.
Table 16) is used to access the conversion table 3 for converting image data into RGB data of 16 bpp or YP
It is converted into a bPr signal (hereinafter referred to as an image signal).

On the other hand, the graphics data corresponding to the cursor plane is stored in the register (Reg) 3a and is converted into an image signal by being accessed by the 8-bit cursor plane data. In addition, in FIG.
CLU corresponding to each graphics plane G1 to G3
Display T as palettes (PAL) 3b-3d.

The converted image signal is given to the priority setting unit 7 and the coefficient calculator 9. Of these, the image signals corresponding to the respective graphics planes G1 to G3 include
Coefficients α1 to α3 are added. These coefficients α1
α3 determines the mixing ratio of each plane.
It is stored in L3b to 3d.

The priority of each coefficient is set in the priority setting unit 7. The information regarding this priority is given to the coefficient calculator 9 via the blend controller 8, and the values of the coefficients α1 to α3 are changed based on the above priority.

The graphics planes G1 to G3 are
The gain is adjusted by the changed coefficient value, and the blend circuit 5 combines the gain with the cursor plane. The combined graphics planes G1 to G3 are supplied to the blend circuit 6 together with the video planes V1 and V2, combined, and provided for image display on a display unit (display: not shown). Here, the gain β of the video planes V1 and V2 in the gain setting unit 10 is determined by the coefficient calculator 9
Given by.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
Here, the blend ratio of each plane is 16 levels. In this case, the maximum value of the blend coefficient is 15 and the minimum value is 0. Note that the cursor plane is displayed as part of the screen, so the coefficient in the display area is 1
5 and 0 in other areas.

FIG. 7 shows how to calculate the coefficient of each plane in the display area other than the cursor plane. In (a) to (d) of the figure, the priority increases in order from the top. For example, in FIG. 7A, the priority is high in the order of α1, α2, and α3. The cursor plane is treated as the highest priority in any case (because it is a part of the screen) due to the above circumstances.

Now, assume that the highest priority graphics plane G
It is assumed that 12 is set as the coefficient value α1 of 1.
As the coefficient value α1 to be displayed, the value 12 as it is is set because it has the highest priority. Next, the coefficient value α2 of the graphics plane G2 having the second highest priority is calculated. In the present embodiment, first, the value 1 of the coefficient value α1 is calculated from 15
Subtract two. Then, the numerical value 3 obtained here is compared with the setting value 2 given to the graphics plane G2.

Here, the set value 2 is smaller than the subtracted value 3 described above. That is, it is not necessary to use the numerical value 3 as α2, and setting 2 will suffice. Therefore, α2 is set to 2 here. Furthermore, α3 is 1
It becomes 1 from the calculation of 5-12-2 = 1. Where the value 1
Is smaller than 5, which is the set value of α3, but has the lowest priority, and this is acknowledged. In this way, the values of the coefficients α1, α2, and α3 are 12, and
2 and 1 are obtained, and each graphics plane is blended based on this value.

Further, an example of calculating each coefficient including the gain β of the video plane will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7B, α is set in descending order of priority.
1, α2, α3, β. First, for α1, the set value 9 is set as it is. For α2, 15
-9 = 6 is calculated, this is compared with the set value 2, and a value of 2 is set. For α3, 15-9-2 = 4 is calculated, and this is compared with the set value 1 to set a value of 1. For β, 15-9-2-1 = 3 is calculated, and this value of 3 is set.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the priority setting unit 7 is provided, and the priorities of the respective planes are individually set in advance regardless of the setting value of the blend coefficient of the respective planes. Then, based on this priority, first, the blend coefficient of the highest plane is set to the set value. Then, for the second and subsequent planes, the maximum value of the blend coefficient (1 if the blend ratio is 16 steps)
From 5), the blending coefficient of the upper plane is sequentially subtracted by the coefficient calculator 9, the obtained value is compared with the set value, and the smaller value is set as the blending coefficient of the plane.

As described above, since the priorities are defined in advance between the planes, it becomes possible to determine the order in which the subtraction processing is executed. Also, since the final blend coefficient value is obtained by a simple subtraction process, the processing load on the hardware can be reduced, and as a result, the hardware scale can be reduced.

For reference, in the coefficient calculation of the conventional method based on the set values of FIG. 7A, first, all the set values of each plane must be added (12 + 2 + 5 = 19).
Then, based on this numerical value, the coefficient of each plane must be calculated by proportional distribution (α1 = 12/19, α
2 = 2/19, α3 = 5/19). As described above, the arithmetic hardware has to bear not only the burden of division but also various burdens such as how to process the decimal point, resulting in a large scale. According to this embodiment, that point can be solved.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a main configuration of the multi-window image display device according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 2, the blend circuit 4 (FIG. 1) is used instead of the configuration of FIG.
The image expander 13 is provided at the position. Further, a storage section 11 having a storage area 11e storing a chroma key plane (Vc) and a storage section 12 having a storage area 12a storing a background (BG: Back Ground) plane are newly provided. Furthermore, a control signal is given to the priority setting device, and the priority setting can be freely changed based on this control signal (for distinction, 14
Will be attached). An FFU (Flicker Free Unit) 16 is provided between the blend circuits 5 and 6, which is an existing device for removing flicker.
It is not newly added in this embodiment.

The image expander 13 is provided for each video plane V.
The display areas of the display units 1 and V2 are reduced or enlarged. The image stretcher 13 also has a function of identifying an effective portion of an image for each pixel in the display unit. Specifically, the video play displayed on the display unit and the other areas are distinguished from each other, and an identification signal is generated outside the video plane area and given to the storage area 11e. As a result, outside the video plane area, the chroma key plane (V
The image signal of c) is obtained. This image signal is registered in register 3
e, where the blending factor of the chroma key plane (Vc) is given. Further, since the display content of the background plane is fixed, the data in the storage area 12a is directly read and given to the coefficient calculator.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 (c) and 7 (d). Here again, the blend ratio of each plane is set to 16 levels. In FIG. 7C, α1,
The priority is high in the order of α2, βc, and α3. Where βc is
This means the gain of the chroma key plane, and the initial value is set in advance in the register 3e.

In FIG. 7C, 12 is set as the coefficient value α1 of the highest priority graphics plane G1,
This value is used. In the graphics plane G2,
15-12 = 3 is compared with the set value 2, and 2 is set. In the chroma key plane Vc, 15-12-2 = 1
From 1 to 0, and α3 of the graphics plane G3 sets from 15-12-2-1 = 0 to 0.

As a result, the coefficient value after the arithmetic processing is (α1,
α2, β1, α3) = (12, 2, 1, 0), and the value of α2 of the graphics plane G2 remains (does not become 0). In this state, the graphics plane component remains outside the video plane area.

Therefore, in this embodiment, a control signal is given to the priority setting unit 4 to raise the priority of βc. The calculation result in this case is shown in FIG. Also in FIG. 7D, 12 is set as the coefficient value α1 of the highest priority graphics plane G1. However, since βc has the following priority, its value is 15−12 = 3. Also α2,
Regarding α3, both are 0 at 15-12-3 = 0.

As described above, by raising the priority of βc, the coefficients α2 and α3 of the other graphics planes G2 and G3 can be set to 0 only by leaving α1 of the graphics plane G1.

This means that only the graphics plane G1 can be displayed outside the area of the video plane. That is, it is possible to perform chroma key control of the video plane blended with the graphic plane.

As described above, in this embodiment, the priority setting setter 14 can freely change the priority of the video plane. By doing so, it becomes possible to perform chroma key control of the video plane blended with the graphic plane.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the multi-window image display device according to the present embodiment.
The device shown in the figure is of a so-called 2LSI configuration, and includes a master display device 100 and a slave display device 200 that operates depending on the master display device 100. Each of these devices is formed as a single LSI, and both devices are provided inside the same housing such as a television device.

Of these, the slave display device 200 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 or 2, but the master display device 100 has the configuration shown in FIG. That is, the master display device 100 has a function of outputting the final coefficient value (referred to as YM) related to image blending to the outside in addition to the image signal output, and supplies this to the blending circuit 300. The blend circuit 300 includes the master display device 100.
And the image signals from the slave display device 200 are given, and by combining both image signals based on the final coefficient value YM, the master and slave display devices 100, 20
It is possible to display all the planes of 0 in one image.

FIG. 5 shows the main configuration of the multi-window image display device according to this embodiment. In this figure,
The blend circuit 4 is provided at the position of the image stretcher 13 instead of the configuration of FIG.
Is provided. Further, a storage unit 17 having a storage area 17a storing the control plane (C) is newly provided. Further, a control signal from the storage unit 17 is given to the priority setting unit 14. Further, the final coefficient value YM calculated by the coefficient calculator 9 is sent to the blend circuit 300 of FIG. 3 as an external synthesis control signal.

Here, the control plane is provided as an auxiliary for performing various controls relating to image mixing. For example, when it is necessary to provide a palette for the background plane (BG), palette data is stored. To give.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the device having the configuration shown in FIG.
The device having the configuration shown in FIG. 2 will be described as a slave. The master outputs the image signal and the composite control signal (YM), and the slave outputs only the image signal. The blending circuit 300 of FIG. 3 synthesizes the image signals respectively given from the master and the slave at a synthesis ratio determined based on the synthesis control signal (YM) and outputs a synthesized image.

Here, the composition ratio (YM = β) is set to, for example, 1
If -β: β (0≤β≤1), it is possible to combine two images output from the master and the slave. In addition, YM is the final coefficient value β given by the master
Then, the final output image on the master side is formed of 1-β. Therefore, by setting the composition ratio of the master and slave to 1: β, it becomes possible to display all the planes of the master and slave in one image.

As described above, in this embodiment, the blend circuit 300 for synthesizing the image signals from the master and the slave.
Since the blending circuit 300 sets the synthesis coefficient based on the final coefficient value YM calculated in the master display device 100 and synthesizes both image signals, all the planes of the master and slave are It is possible to display in one image.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, another configuration that allows all the planes of the master and slave to be displayed in one image will be disclosed.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of the multi-window image display device according to this embodiment. This configuration is also shown in FIG.
Similarly to the above, it is called a 2LSI configuration and includes a master display device 400 and a slave display device 500.

Of these, the master display device 400 is the same as that shown in FIG.
Has the configuration shown in FIG. That is, the slave display device 500 receives the final coefficient value YM given from the master display device 400, and controls the gain of the image signal output by itself based on this. Image signals from the master display device 100 and the slave display device 200 are applied to the blend circuit 300. By synthesizing these signals, all the planes of the master and slave display devices 400 and 500 are combined into one image. It is possible to display in.

FIG. 6 shows the main configuration of the multi-window image display device according to this embodiment. In this figure,
The blend circuit 4 is provided at the position of the image stretcher 13 instead of the configuration of FIG.
Is provided. Further, a storage unit 17 having a storage area 17a storing the control plane (C) is newly provided. Further, the control signal from the storage unit 17 is given to the priority setting unit 14, and the final coefficient value YM calculated by the coefficient calculator 9 is sent to the blend circuit 300 of FIG. 3 as an external synthesis control signal.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the device having the configuration shown in FIG.
The device having the configuration shown in FIG. 2 will be described as a slave. The master outputs the image signal and the composite control signal (YM), and the slave outputs only the image signal.

Combined control signal YM output from the master
Is given to the slave, and the coefficient calculation on the slave side is executed in a form that reflects the coefficient calculation result on the master side. This makes it possible to display all the planes of the master and slave in a single image.
That is, as shown in the third embodiment, if the ratio of the master is 1, the ratio of the slave is β (YM
= Β), it becomes possible to display all the planes of the master and slave in one image. In this embodiment, the final coefficient value Y of the master is set to the slave.
By notifying M, the master / slave composition ratio can be set to 1: β.

As described above, in this embodiment, the final coefficient value YM calculated in the master display device 400 is given to the slave, and the gain of the output image is adjusted in the slave display device 500 based on this final coefficient value YM. The gain-adjusted image output is given to the blend circuit 300 so as to be combined with the image signal from the master display device 400. That is, the slave display device 500 is made to perform the gain adjustment function in the blend circuit 300 in the third embodiment. Even in this case, it is possible to display all the planes of the master and slave in one image.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention, for example, the number of slaves subordinate to the master is arbitrary. is there.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the coefficient calculation related to the plane synthesis is performed by the simple subtraction processing, the scale of hardware can be reduced, which allows the multi-window image display. Small size of the device,
It is possible to reduce the weight.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a multi-window image display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a multi-window image display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a multi-window image display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a multi-window image display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a multi-window image display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a multi-window image display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining how to calculate a coefficient of each plane in a display area other than the cursor plane.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2, 3, 11, 12, 17, ... Storage unit, 4, 5, 6,
... Blend circuit, 7,14 ... Priority setting unit, 8 ... Blend control unit, 9 ... Coefficient calculator, 10,15 ... Gain setting unit, 13 ... Image expander, 100,400 ... Master display device, 200,500 ... Slave display device, 300 ... Blend circuit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Masanori Sekine, Inventor Masanori Sekine, 8 Shinsugita-cho, Isogo-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, Toshiba Multimedia Technology Laboratory, Inc. (72) Seijiro Yasugi Shinsugita-cho, Isogo-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa No. 8 Toshiba Multimedia Technology Laboratory Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tomomasa Otsuki 3-3-9 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo Inside Toshiba Abu E. Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP 9 -325757 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G09G 5/00-5/42 H04N 5/262-5/278

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A multi-window image display device for transparently displaying arbitrary n planes on one display screen, wherein the n planes have a display coefficient X1, which is set for each plane. Based on X2, ..., Xn, the display intensity is M
After adjusting to stages (M is a specific number), synthesize each,
The synthesizing means used for display on the display screen, and the initial values p1, p2, ..., Pn (p1, p2, ..., pn ≦) of the display coefficient for each of the planes.
Storage means for storing M), priority setting means for setting a priority for each of the planes in advance, and the display coefficient p (m) = m for a plane having a priority of X (m) = m. Initial value L [A, B] of the display coefficient of the plane having the priority of order: When defined as the smaller value of A and B, X (1) = p (1): m = 1 X (m) = L [M- {p (1) + p (2) + ... + p (m
1 )}, p (m)]: m ≠ 1 (when the calculation result X (m) ≦ 0, X (m) = 0 is set).
, ..., Xn, and a coefficient calculation means for giving these display coefficients to the synthesizing means, a multi-window image display device. 2. The expansion / contraction means for changing the display size of an arbitrary plane among the planes, and the priority among the planes according to the change of the display size of the plane by the expansion / contraction means. The multi-window image display device according to claim 1, further comprising priority resetting means for resetting. 3. A first display unit including the combination unit, the storage unit, the priority setting unit, and the coefficient calculation unit, the combination unit, the storage unit, and the priority setting. Means, a second display means including the coefficient calculation means, and a screen synthesizing means to which respective image signals output from the first and second display means are provided, the first display The coefficient calculating means in the means is for giving the calculated display coefficient to the combining means of itself and also to the screen combining means, and the screen combining means is based on the supplied display coefficient, A combination ratio of the respective image signals output from the first and second display means is determined so as to form one display screen by the both image signals, and the both images are combined based on the combination ratio. Special Serial to claim 1 or 2,
Multi-window image display device of the mounting. 4. A first display unit including the synthesizing unit, the storage unit, the priority setting unit, and the coefficient computing unit, the synthesizing unit, the storage unit, and the priority setting. Means, the second display means including the coefficient calculation means, and the respective image signals output from the first and second display means are provided, and these image signals are combined to display on the display screen. And a screen synthesizing means for display, wherein the coefficient computing means in the first display means provides the computed display coefficient to the synthesizing means of its own, and the coefficient computing means in the second display means. The coefficient calculating means of the second display means outputs from the first and second display means based on the display coefficient given from the first display means. Each In order to constitute a single display screen by an image signal, according to claim 1, characterized in that performing the calculation of the display coefficients in autologous or
2. The multi-window image display device described in 2 .