JP4065471B2 - Display control apparatus, display control method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a display control apparatus and a display control method for connecting a plurality of liquid crystal displays using, for example, a ferroelectric liquid crystal and displaying an image on each liquid crystal display, and a program for realizing the display control method. The present invention relates to a stored storage medium .
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a technology in this kind of field, a plurality of liquid crystal displays (FLCD: Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Display) using a ferroelectric liquid crystal having a memory effect are connected to one host computer, and the same is applied to each FLCD. Alternatively, a display control system that displays different images has been proposed.
[0003]
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a conventional display control system.
[0004]
In the figure, 1 is a host computer, and 2, 3, 4 and 5 are branch transmission units. Reference numerals 10, 11, 12, and 13 denote FLCDs, and 900, 901, 902, 903, 910, 911, 912, and 913 denote transmission cables. From the host computer 1, 16-bit image data with address data at the head is output from the transmission cable 900 in parallel.
[0005]
Each of the branch transmission units 2 to 5 outputs 16-bit image data input from the previous stage as it is to the subsequent branch transmission unit through the transmission cables 901 to 903. Further, each branch transmission unit 2 to 5 includes an address setting switch (not shown), and compares the address value preset in the setting switch with the address data arranged at the head of the 16-bit image data. If they match, 16-bit image data is output to each of the branched transmission cables 910-913.
[0006]
On the other hand, each of the FLCDs 10 to 13 performs display based on the 16-bit image data. Further, each of the FLCDs 10 to 13 has a memory effect, so that it continues to display the immediately preceding image data until new 16-bit image data is received and the image data is updated.
[0007]
Next, 16-bit image data output from the host computer 1 and its leading address will be described.
[0008]
FIG. 6 is a signal sequence diagram showing the arrangement of 16-bit image data.
[0009]
The 16-bit image data includes 16 data of DATA0 to DATA15 and a total of 18 signals of CLK and AHDL which are synchronization signals. The AHDL signal is normally at the “L” level, but only at the head of the data is at the “H” level. At this time, DATA0 to DATA15 output address data. That is, the AHDL signal indicates the head of data and also indicates that DATA0 to DATA15 are address data instead of image data.
[0010]
FIG. 7 is a format diagram of address data.
[0011]
Of the address data carried on DATA0 to DATA15, the lower 11 bits indicate the address of the scanning line of FLCD 10-15, and the upper 5 bits are the unit ID, which is compared with the setting value of the setting switch described above. . Further, image data for one horizontal scan is arranged following the top address data.
[0012]
Each branch transmission unit 2 to 5 monitors only the upper 5 bits of DATA0 to DATA15 when the AHDL signal becomes “H” level, and if it does not coincide with the setting value of the setting switch, it outputs the branch output to the FLCD. Masks the AHDL signal and outputs the “L” level. Upon receiving this, the FLCD does not recognize the address because the AHDL signal is at “L” level, and as a result, the image being drawn is not updated, and any data on DATA0 to DATA15 is ignored. Is done.
[0013]
When each branch transmission unit 2 to 5 considers that the address of the upper 5 bits of DATA0 to DATA15 coincides with the setting value of the setting switch, the AHDL signal of the branch output to the FLCD is not masked as it is. Output. The FLCD receives the “H” level of the AHDL signal, recognizes the start of the image data, and updates the drawn image.
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above conventional display control system, the image data displayed on the FLCDs 10 to 13 is sent under the control of the host computer 1, so that the viewer side of the FLCDs 10 to 13 cannot select the image data. There was a problem. For example, when such a system is applied to a conference system, the viewer can only see image data sent by the operator of the host computer, and cannot select desired materials on the viewer side.
[0015]
In view of the above-described conventional problems, the present invention selects desired image data on the viewer side of each display device in a multi-display system that displays video signals output from a host machine on a plurality of displays. It is an object of the present invention to provide a display control device, a display control method, and a storage medium that can draw a selected image on each display device.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the display control apparatus of the present invention is connected in a tree connection and a daisy chain which always branches until there is no connection destination in the subsequent stage in the host machine, and inputs a video signal from the host machine to the subsequent stage. Video signal distribution means for outputting, display device for displaying the video signal from the host machine supplied via the video signal distribution means, and selection means for selecting the video signal to be displayed on the display device The selection means is connected to the most upstream video signal distribution means of the video signal distribution means connected in the tree, and is connected to all the video signal distribution means connected in the daisy chain. And
Also, the display control method of the present invention is a video signal distribution means for inputting a video signal from the host machine and outputting it to the subsequent stage, which is always connected in a tree connection and daisy chain until the host machine has no subsequent connection destination. And a display control method for displaying a video signal from the host machine supplied via the video signal distribution means, the display control method of the display control device comprising the tree-connected video signal distribution A selection means connected to the video signal distribution means connected to the most upstream of the means and connected to the video signal distribution means connected in a daisy chain, and the display means displays the display device using the selection means. A video signal is selected .
Further, the storage medium of the present invention has a tree connection and a daisy chain connection that always branches until there is no connection destination in the subsequent stage in the host machine, and a video signal distribution means for inputting a video signal from the host machine and outputting it to the subsequent stage. A display device for displaying a video signal from the host machine supplied via the video signal distribution means, and connected to the video signal distribution means at the uppermost stream of the video signal distribution means connected in a tree; A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for causing a computer to execute a display control method of a display control device including the video signal distribution unit connected to the daisy chain and a selection unit connected to the daisy chain. The display control method uses the selection means to display the video signal to be displayed on the display device. Characterized by comprising the step of selecting.
[0047]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0048]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the display control system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Elements common to those in FIG.
[0049]
In the figure, 1 is a host computer, and 100, 200, 300, and 400 are branch transmission units. 10, 11, 12, and 13 are FLCDs, and 20, 21, 22, and 23 are display selection keys. 900, 901, 902, 903, 910, 911, 912, and 913 are display control data transmission cables, and 920, 921, 922, and 923 are display selection signal transmission cables.
[0050]
From the host computer 1, 16-bit display data with address data at the head and a control signal are output from the transmission cable 900 in parallel. The format of the display control data is the same as that described in the conventional example with reference to FIGS.
[0051]
The display data sent from the host computer 1 is image data including index information of the entire display data sent by the host computer 1 as shown in the FLCD 10. Furthermore, although not shown, images including similar index information are also displayed on the FLCDs 11 to 13. In addition, the host computer 1 sequentially transmits all the image data displayed in the index as image data starting with address data corresponding to the index number.
[0052]
In the present embodiment, a four-stage branch transmission unit and four FLCDs corresponding thereto are connected, but there is no particular limitation on the number of connection stages. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the index data is included in the display data, but this is not a limitation. For example, the index information of the display data transmitted by the host computer 1 may be posted on a paper medium and passed to the FLCD viewer, or the index information may be displayed on a bulletin board that can be viewed by all FLCD viewers. You may display. That is, it is only necessary that the index information of the entire display data can be transmitted to the FLCD viewer by some method.
[0053]
The FLCD viewer inputs an index number corresponding to the desired display data from the index information through the display selection key 20. The display selection signal is output from the display selection signal transmission cable 920 to the branch transmission unit 100.
[0054]
The branch transmission unit 100 receives the display control data 900 and the display selection signal 920 and transfers the display control data to the branch transmission unit 200 and the FLCD 10 at the next stage.
[0055]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the branch transmission unit 100.
[0056]
In the figure, reference numerals 900, 901, and 910 denote display control data transmission cables, which are transmitted as differential signals, 110 is a differential receiver that converts a differential signal into a TTL signal, and 120 is a differential signal. It is a differential driver that converts to. Reference numerals 180, 181, and 182 denote DATA [15: 0], an AHDL signal, and an FCLK signal respectively corresponding to the description of the conventional example. Reference numeral 183 denotes a branch signal of DATA [15:12], and reference numeral 184 denotes an AHDL ′ signal output to the FLCD 10 connected to the branch transmission unit 100.
[0057]
Reference numeral 920 denotes a display selection signal, and reference numerals 130 and 132 denote DF / Fs (delay type flip-flops) that latch the 16-bit image data signal DATA [15: 0]. 131 and 134 are DF / Fs that latch the AHDL signal, and 133 is a DF / F that outputs the AHDL ′ signal. 140 is a comparator with an enable function, 150 is an AND circuit, and 160 is a NOT circuit.
[0058]
The FCLK signal 182 is converted into a TTL signal by the differential receiver 110 and input to the DF / Fs 130 and 131 and the NOT circuit 160. The clock_FCLK signal 184 inverted by the NOT circuit 160 is input to the DF / Fs 132 to 134 and the differential driver 120. The _FCLK signal 184 input to the differential driver 120 is converted back to a differential signal and input to the FLCD 10 and the branch transmission unit 200 at the next stage.
[0059]
The DATA [15: 0] signal 180 and the AHDL signal 181 TTL-converted by the differential receiver 100 are input to the DF / F 130 and the DF / F 131, respectively, and are latched by the FCLK signal 182.
[0060]
The AHDL signal latched by the DF / F 131 is input to the DF / F 134 and the AND circuit 150, and is latched by the _FCLK signal 184 in the DF / F 134. The AHDL signal latched by the DF / F 134 is converted into a differential signal by the differential driver 120 and output to the branch transmission unit 200 at the next stage as it is.
[0061]
The image data DATA [15: 0] signal 180 latched by the DF / F 130 is input to the DF / F 132 again, and the DATA [15:12] therein is also input to the comparator 140. The The 16-bit image data DATA [15: 0] signal latched by the DF / F 132 is converted into a differential signal by the differential driver 120 and output to the FLCD 10 and the branch transmission unit 200 at the next stage as it is.
[0062]
The comparator 140 outputs “H” when the DATA [15:12] signal 183 is equal to the display selection signal 920, and outputs “L” otherwise, and is input to the AND circuit 150.
[0063]
The output signal of the AND circuit 150 is input to the DF / F 133 and latched by the _FCLK signal 184. The output signal of the DF / F 133 is converted into a differential signal by the driver 120 as an AHDL ′ signal 184 and output to the FLCD 10. The AHDL ′ signal 184 is normally at the “L” level in the same manner as the AHDL signal 181, and at the “H” level, the AHDL ′ signal 184 indicates the head of data and also indicates that it is address data. That is, when the image data selected by the viewer of the FLCD 10 is transmitted from the host computer 1, the AHDL signal '184 becomes "H" level, the start of the data and the address data are recognized, and the image data being drawn is Updated. In other cases, the AHDL ′ signal 184 is at the “L” level, and any data transferred is ignored and the display content is not updated.
[0064]
Thus, the display control data 901 output to the branch transmission unit 200 at the next stage is the input display control data 900 itself. On the other hand, the display control data 910 to be output to the FLCD 10 outputs the input display control data 901 only when the image data selected by the display selection key 20 is transmitted from the host computer 1, and at other times, the AHDL. A signal masked to “L” level is output only for the signal.
[0065]
The branch transmission units 200, 300, and 400 have the same operation and configuration as the branch transmission unit 100.
[0066]
What has been described so far is the operation of the one-stage display control system centered on the branch transmission unit 100. Similar branch transmission units 200, 300, and 400 are daisy chained as in the system configuration example shown in FIG. If connected, a multi-display system using FLCDs 10 to 13 is configured.
[0067]
As described above, in this embodiment, the simple and inexpensive branch transmission units are daisy chain connected, so that the multi-display system can be easily configured at low cost. Further, since the display selection key is provided, it is possible to select desired image data on the viewer side of each FLCD and draw the selected image on each FLCD.
[0068]
(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, an example in which a large number of FLCD multi-display systems are realized using a small number of branch transmission units will be described.
[0069]
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the display control system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and the same reference numerals are assigned to elements common to FIG.
[0070]
In the figure, 1 is a host computer, and 100 to 700 are branch transmission units. 10 to 17 are FLCDs, and 900 to 907 and 910 to 916 are display control data transmission cables.
[0071]
Since the operation in each of the above configurations is the same as that in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.
[0072]
Display control data 900 output from the host computer 1 is input to the branch transmission unit 100. A branch transmission unit 200 and a branch transmission unit 500 are connected to the two outputs of the branch transmission unit 100, respectively. Similarly, a branch transmission unit 300 and a branch transmission unit 400 are connected to two outputs of the branch transmission unit 200, and a branch transmission unit 600 and a branch transmission unit 700 are connected to two outputs of the branch transmission unit 500, respectively.
[0073]
On the other hand, FLCDs 10 and 11 are respectively connected to the two outputs of the branch transmission unit 300. Similarly, the FLCDs 12 and 13 are connected to the branch transmission unit 400, the FLCDs 14 and 15 are connected to the branch transmission unit 600, and the branch transmission unit is also connected. FLCDs 16 and 17 are connected to 700, respectively.
[0074]
Although not shown, the same number is set for the display selection signal in each branch transmission unit, and only the address of the display control data transmitted by the host computer 1 is output. .
[0075]
With this setting, the same display control data is output to the two output terminals of each branch transmission unit. Even if the branch transmission unit or FLCD is connected to either output terminal, the display control data transfer cable is connected. Are equal.
As described above, the present embodiment has a tree connection configuration in which a plurality of branch transmission units are connected to the host computer 1. As a result, seven of the branch transmission units 100 to 700 can display the same image on eight of the FLCDs 10 to 17, and one unit less branch transmission compared with the configuration of the daisy chain connection of the first embodiment. Can be displayed in units.
[0076]
(Third embodiment)
In the present embodiment, a configuration in which the first embodiment and the second embodiment are combined will be described.
[0077]
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the display control system according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and the same reference numerals are assigned to elements common to FIG.
[0078]
In the figure, 1 is a host computer, and 100 to 800 are branch transmission units. 10 to 17 are FLCDs, and 20 to 24 are display selection keys. Reference numerals 900 to 907 and 910 to 917 denote display control data transmission cables. Reference numerals 920 to 924 denote display selection signal transmission cables.
[0079]
Since the operation in each of the above configurations is the same as that in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here. Further, the system configuration from the FLCDs 10 to 13 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and is omitted here. The system of the FLCDs 14 to 17 will be described here.
[0080]
The FLCDs 14 and 15 are connected to the two output terminals of the branch transmission unit 700, respectively, and the FLCDs 16 and 17 are also connected to the two output terminals of the branch transmission unit 800, respectively. On the other hand, the branch transmission units 700 and 800 are connected to two output terminals of the branch transmission unit 600, respectively.
[0081]
At this time, although not shown, the same display selection signal as that of the display selection key 24 is set as the display selection signal of the branch transmission units 600 to 800. Therefore, the same data as the display control data 914 output from the branch transmission unit 500 is output from the two output terminals of the branch transmission units 600 to 800, and the same image is displayed on the FLCDs 14 to 17.
[0082]
That is, in this system, the images selected by the display selection keys 20 to 23 are displayed from FLCD10 to FLCD13, while the same image selected by the display selection key 24 is displayed on the FLCD14 to FLCD17. Will come to be. As described above, in this embodiment, since the branch transmission units are daisy chained and tree-connected, a multi-display system can be configured appropriately in consideration of convenience on the viewer side.
[0083]
The present invention is not limited to the apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, and may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices or an apparatus including a single device. The storage medium storing the program code of the software that realizes the functions of the embodiments described above is also supplied to the system or apparatus, and the system or apparatus is also a program stored in the storage medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU). Needless to say, it is also completed by reading and executing the code.
[0084]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, and a ROM can be used.
[0085]
In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code performs the actual processing. Needless to say, a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing is also included.
[0086]
Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the next program code is expanded based on the instructions. It is also included that the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing a part or all of the actual processing by performing the actual processing by a CPU or the like provided with a function expansion board or function in the expansion unit. Needless to say.
[0087]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, to select the desired image data in a viewer side of each of the display device, it is possible to draw the selected image on each display device. Furthermore, since the video signal distribution means having a simple configuration and being inexpensive are daisy chained and tree-connected, a multi-display system can be appropriately configured in consideration of convenience on the viewer side.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a display control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a branch transmission unit 100. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a display control system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a display control system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a conventional display control system.
FIG. 6 is a signal sequence diagram showing an arrangement of 16-bit image data.
FIG. 7 is a format diagram of address data.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Host computer 100-800 Branch transmission unit 10-17 FLCD
20-24 Display selection key 900-907, 910-917 Display control data transmission cable 920-924 Display selection signal transmission cable

Claims (5)

A video signal distribution means for inputting a video signal from the host machine and outputting the video signal to the subsequent stage, which is always connected in a tree connection and daisy chain until the host machine has no subsequent connection destination ;
A display device for displaying a video signal from the host machine supplied via the video signal distribution means;
Selecting means for selecting the video signal to be displayed on the display device;
The selection means is connected to the most upstream video signal distribution means of the video signal distribution means connected in the tree, and is connected to all the video signal distribution means connected in the daisy chain. Display control device. Providing an index means for displaying the display data corresponding to the video signal output from the host machine on the display device;
Said selecting means, the display control device according to claim 1, characterized in that a configuration of selecting a predetermined display data among the information displayed indexed by said indexing means. The video signal distribution unit includes an image identification unit that identifies a video signal from the host machine, and controls an output destination of the video signal based on an identification result of the image identification unit. The display control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 . A tree connection and a daisy chain connection that always branches until the connection destination of the rear stage disappears in the host machine, a video signal distribution means for inputting a video signal from the host machine and outputting it to the rear stage, and via the video signal distribution means A display control method of a display control device comprising a display device for displaying a video signal from the host machine supplied,
A selection means connected to the video signal distribution means at the most upstream of the video signal distribution means connected to the tree, and connected to the video signal distribution means connected to the daisy chain;
A display control method, wherein the video signal to be displayed on the display device is selected using the selection means . A tree connection and a daisy chain connection that always branches until the connection destination of the rear stage disappears in the host machine, a video signal distribution means for inputting a video signal from the host machine and outputting it to the rear stage, and via the video signal distribution means The display device for displaying the video signal supplied from the host machine and the video signal distributing means connected to the uppermost stream of the video signal distributing means connected in the tree, and the video connected in the daisy chain. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for causing a computer to execute a display control method of a display control device including a signal distribution unit and a selection unit that is all connected,
The display control method includes a step of selecting the video signal to be displayed on the display device using the selection unit .

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