JP3600200B2 - Optical filter ordering method and order receiving device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an optical filter ordering method, and particularly to a method for ordering an optical filter for stereoscopic viewing.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Over the past few years, the population of Internet users has skyrocketed and is entering the broadband era, a new stage of Internet usage. In broadband communication, since the communication band is significantly expanded, the distribution of heavy image data, which has often been shunned in the past, is also increasing. Concepts such as "multimedia" and "video-on-demand" have been proposed for a long time, but in the broadband era, for the first time, these words were experienced by ordinary users with a real feeling.
[0003]
If the distribution of images, particularly moving images, becomes widespread, users naturally demand enhancement of contents and improvement of image quality. These depend largely on the digitization of existing video software, the development of authoring tools therefor, and the pursuit of highly efficient and low-loss image coding technology.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Under these circumstances, as one form of image distribution service in the near future, it is conceivable that the distribution of pseudo three-dimensional images (hereinafter simply referred to as “stereoscopic images”) will attract technical attention and acquire a considerable market. The stereoscopic image is particularly attractive in applications that seek a more realistic image, such as a movie or a game, in order to fulfill a user's desire for a more realistic image. Further, the stereoscopic image is also useful for a realistic display of a product in a product presentation in EC (Electronic Commerce), which is considered to be one standard of commerce in the 21st century.
[0005]
As a technique for making an object look three-dimensional using a two-dimensional display device, there is a technique using a parallax image. FIG. 1 shows a method of stereoscopic viewing using a parallax image. First, an image to be cast on the right eye (hereinafter, simply referred to as right-eye image 12) and an image to be cast on the left eye (hereinafter, simply referred to as left-eye image 14) are prepared so as to generate parallax. These parallax images are alternately arranged while being thinned out at a fixed width, for example, one pixel at a time, to generate a basic image 10. This basic image 10 is displayed on a two-dimensional display device.
[0006]
Even if the basic image 10 is viewed directly, stereoscopic viewing is not possible. Stereoscopic viewing becomes possible by passing each optical image through the optical filter 20 so that each parallax image enters the right eye and the left eye. For example, the optical filter 20 is an image separating unit such as a parallax barrier or a lenticular lens. In FIG. 1, the parallax barrier is taken as an example. The optical filter 20 has a stripe pattern formed on a glass substrate, and functions as a slit 16 so that the right-eye image 12 is guided to the right eye and the left-eye image 14 is guided to the left eye. The pitch of the slits 16 is not constant but is geometrically determined, and particularly at the edge of the screen, the slit 16 is located at a position greatly deviated from the front of the pixel. Although the slit 16 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, a very delicate pitch design is actually performed based on the relationship with the position of the user's head.
[0007]
When considering a new net business of distributing a stereoscopic image using such a technology, the widespread use of the optical filter 20 is a key to the success of the stereoscopic image distribution business. The present inventor has made the present invention by focusing on such a current situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for enabling the promotion of stereoscopic image distribution from a technical aspect.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order for a user to enjoy stereoscopic viewing, it is necessary to select an optical filter according to the pixel pitch of a monitor used for stereoscopic viewing. Therefore, it is important to supply an optimal optical filter to the user's display device while saving the user's labor. Thus, the present invention is to automatically acquire information such as the pixel pitch of a monitor and to automatically order an optimal optical filter based on the information.
[0009]
A mechanism for automatically selecting an optical filter suitable for a user's monitor from various types of optical filters is useful. Further, since it is difficult to place a large number of optical filters in a retail store from the viewpoint of sales space, electronic commerce in which an order is directly delivered to a user from a distribution center where an order is received is useful.
[0010]
One embodiment of the present invention is a method for ordering a stereoscopic optical filter. This method includes, when a user places an order for an optical filter used for stereoscopically viewing an image, accepting the order via a network, and using the information processing device of the user who made the order to mediate the stereoscopic view. And a step of determining whether to provide an optical filter suitable for the specified display device. The stereoscopic optical filter is a unit that separates a plurality of parallax images included in one image, such as a parallax barrier filter (parallax barrier filter) and a lenticular lens filter.
[0011]
The specifying step may use model information acquired by a function of the information processing device when the display device is mounted on the information processing device. The determining may determine whether to provide a parallax barrier filter that matches the pixel pitch of the display device. The method may further include causing the information processing apparatus to execute a program for acquiring the model information via the information processing apparatus. It is to be noted that any combination of the above-described components and any conversion of the expression of the present invention between an apparatus, a method, a system, and a computer program are also effective as embodiments of the present invention.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 2 shows a configuration of the distribution system 50. The personal computer 32 (hereinafter, referred to as PC 32) includes a CPU, a memory, a hard disk, and the like, and provides various functions to a user by executing a program. The monitor 26 displays image data from the PC 32 on a display portion 28. The display unit 28 is a unit that displays an image by combining a plurality of pixels, and is an LCD (liquid crystal display), a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any type of display device can be used as long as the display device can perform stereoscopic viewing.
[0013]
In this configuration, the optical filter 20 is attached so as to cover a part or the whole of the display part 28. After the attachment, the position is finely adjusted by an arbitrary method, and when the display position becomes the optimal display position, the user can enjoy a stereoscopic image thereafter.
[0014]
The ordering section 100 recognizes the model of the monitor 26 and determines whether or not the optical filter 20 can be attached to the monitor 26. Then, when there is the monitor optical filter 20, the optical filter 20 is ordered from the order receiving device 40 via the network 34 such as the Internet. Thus, the user can easily order the optical filter 20 without checking the model of the monitor 26. This ordering function is realized by the PC 32 by executing the program.
[0015]
By creating a mechanism for purchasing the optical filter 20 without burdening the user with much labor, it can be expected that the optical filter 20 will be spread more quickly. In order to develop the business, it is important to promptly disseminate the accompanying products to the users, and such a distribution system contributes to the growth of the stereoscopic image market.
[0016]
FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the ordering unit 100. The acquisition unit 102 acquires model identification information from the monitor 26. The "identification information" may be information for specifying the monitor 26, may be a single code for specifying the monitor 26, or may be a combination of a model name, a model number, a manufacturer name, a manufacturing date, and the like. May be used. The acquisition unit 102 may use a function of automatically recognizing the model of the monitor 26 when the monitor 26 is connected to the PC 32. Further, the acquiring unit 102 may automatically read the identification information of the monitor 26 already stored in the PC 32. When the identification information of the monitor 26 cannot be automatically acquired, the acquisition unit 102 has the user directly input the identification information of the monitor 26. The instruction unit 108 is a unit that accepts an order operation start instruction from the user, and instructs the acquisition unit 102 to start the operation when the user presses a button for starting the order operation displayed on the monitor 26, for example. I do.
[0017]
The filter database 110 holds information of the optical filter 20 in association with monitor identification information. The determination unit 104 determines whether or not there is an optical filter 20 suitable for the monitor 26 of the user based on the identification information provided from the acquisition unit 102 and the filter database 110. If there is an optical filter 20 that matches the monitor 26, the determination unit 104 notifies the user of the fact and displays a screen on the monitor 26 asking whether to place an order. If there is no optical filter 20 suitable for the monitor 26, the determination unit 104 notifies the user of the fact and stops the operation. The output unit 106 transmits the user information such as the user's name and address and the identification information of the monitor 26 to the order receiving device 40 via the network 34 when the user instructs the order.
[0018]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the ordering process. The ordering section 100 receives an ordering work start instruction from the user (S10). In response to the instruction, the operation for detecting the identification information of the monitor 26 is started (S12). When the identification information is automatically detected (Y in S14), it is determined whether or not there is an optical filter 20 suitable for the monitor 26 (S18). When the identification information cannot be detected (N in S14), the user is required to input information for identifying the monitor 26 (S16).
[0019]
When there is an optical filter 20 suitable for the monitor 26 (Y in S18), the user is informed of the fact and asked whether or not to place an order (S20). When an order is given (Y in S20), the optical filter 20 is ordered (S22). When there is no instruction for ordering (N in S20), the processing is stopped. In S18, when there is no optical filter 20 suitable for the monitor 26 (N in S18), the fact is notified to the user (S24), and the process is stopped. In any one of the above steps, a process may be included to allow the user to confirm the monitor automatically detected or the monitor manually input by the user. In that case, a configuration may be adopted in which the process proceeds to the order processing after waiting for confirmation by the user.
[0020]
For example, a company that sells the optical filter 20 makes it possible to download a program that realizes the function of the ordering unit 100 from a sales site provided on the Internet. A user who wishes to purchase the optical filter 20 downloads the program and executes it using the PC 32. This eliminates the need for the user to search for the optical filter 20 suitable for the monitor 26 by himself, and the user can easily order the optical filter 20.
[0021]
The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments are exemplifications, and that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. .
[0022]
As a first modification, there is one related to the ordering unit 100. Although the determination unit 104 and the filter database 110 are configured in the PC 32 in FIG. 3, the determination unit and the filter database may be provided in the order receiving device 40. In this case, the acquisition unit 102 transmits the acquired identification information of the monitor 26 to the determination unit provided in the order receiving device 40 via the network 34. The determination unit makes the determination with reference to the filter database. As a result, the data amount of the program that realizes the function of the ordering unit 100 can be reduced. In addition, when newly registering an optical filter corresponding to a new monitor, only the filter database provided in the order receiving device 40 needs to be updated, so that the distribution system of the optical filter can be easily maintained.
[0023]
As a second modified example, there is a configuration in which a WWW (world wide web) browser executed on the user PC side holds monitor identification information as environment variables. In this case, processes such as acquisition of identification information and determination of an optical filter may be performed on the order receiving device side. When a request for order processing is received from the user, an acquisition unit provided on the order receiving device requests transmission of identification information to the WWW browser of the user PC and acquires it as an environment variable. The determining unit determines, based on the received identification information, whether or not there is an optical filter suitable for the monitor of the user. Thereby, the user can order the optical filter without executing the program for acquiring and transmitting the identification information as described above on the PC.
[0024]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, an optical filter suitable for a display device of a user can be easily ordered.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram used to explain a mechanism of stereoscopic vision.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a distribution system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of an ordering unit included in the distribution system of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an ordering process according to the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 20 optical filter, 32 personal computer, 40 order receiving device, 50 distribution system, 100 ordering unit, 102 acquisition unit, 104 determination unit, 110
Filter database.

Claims (4)

A method in which a user orders an optical filter used for stereoscopically viewing an image via a network,
As a medium information processing apparatus of the user, and as specific engineering for identifying the display device for the stereoscopic
With reference to database holding in association with information identifying the information and an optical filter for identifying the display device, Engineering and more determines the provision adequacy of the optical filter matches the specified display device by the specifying step,
The optical filter is a parallax barrier filter, and the determining step determines whether or not to provide a parallax barrier filter suitable for a pixel pitch of the display device. How to order filters. The higher the specific engineering, when the display device is attached to the information processing apparatus, according to claim 1, characterized in that utilizing the model information of the display device which is obtained by the function of the information processing apparatus How to place an order. 3. The ordering method according to claim 2, further comprising a step of causing the information processing apparatus to execute a program for acquiring the model information via the information processing apparatus. A database that holds information on optical filters that match the monitor, in association with identification information that specifies a monitor used for stereoscopic vision;
Obtaining identification information for specifying a monitor used for stereoscopic vision via a network, and determining, based on the obtained identification information and the database, the presence or absence of an optical filter suitable for the monitor specified by the obtained identification information. A determination unit to perform,
Wherein the said optical filter is a parallax barrier filter, the determining unit determines the provision adequacy of the parallax barrier filter fits the pixel pitch of the monitor, if there is a matching parallax barrier filter, the compatible parallax barrier filter An order receiving apparatus for an optical filter, wherein an order receiving process is performed using the information of the optical filter.

Images