JP4813226B2 - Display device and display method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides a multi-view display that simultaneously displays a plurality of different images in each of a plurality of display directions from the same display screen, and a single screen display that displays one image in the display direction from the same display screen. The present invention relates to a display device that can be used.

  Many conventional display means display one image on the same display screen. In general, these display means allow the same image to be viewed from any direction such as the front or the horizontal direction.

  On the other hand, several methods for realizing multi-view display in which a plurality of different images are simultaneously displayed in a plurality of display directions from one screen have been proposed. As one of the methods, there is a method of controlling the viewing angle of the display screen using viewing angle control means called a parallax barrier, which has already been put into practical use. This is particularly suitable for a car navigation system or the like in that two or more viewers can view different images on one display screen. That is, the display device that performs multi-view display can simultaneously display images of a plurality of different input sources such as a navigation screen and a video image on the driver seat and the passenger seat. Furthermore, application to home TVs is also expected.

  In general, in these multi-view display devices, two images appear to overlap when the screen is viewed from a direction near a boundary between a plurality of display directions. For this reason, it is often possible to perform single-screen display in which a similar image can be viewed from any of a plurality of display directions (Patent Documents 1 and 2).

In other words, when two or more viewers want to view different images, multi-view display is performed. When one viewer wants to view a single image, display switching is performed. Is done.
JP-A-2005-71286 JP 2005-73076 A

  However, in a multi-view display device, when switching from single-screen display to multi-view display, the viewer does not know what images are about to be displayed in a plurality of display directions after switching. Further, when switching from multi-view display to single-screen display, the viewer does not know what images were displayed in a plurality of display directions before switching.

  Furthermore, due to this, there is a problem that the operation of selecting an input source such as a channel or video input becomes complicated. That is, when switching the display from the single-screen display state to the multi-view display state, it is necessary to set the input source in each direction by looking at the display screen from each viewing direction.

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and in a multi-view display device having a single-screen display and a multi-view display,
An object is to enable a viewer to easily check an input source when switching between multi-view display and single-screen display.

  It is another object of the present invention to reduce the burden of the work of selecting a viewer input source and to prevent an input image selection error when switching between multi-view display and single screen display.

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, multi-view display means for displaying each of a plurality of images based on each of a plurality of input sources on the same display screen at the same time in different viewing angle directions; An image displayed by the display unit on the display screen, the display unit including a switching unit that switches the image displayed on the display screen to one image or a plurality of images corresponding to one or a plurality of input sources. before switching, each input source which is identification information of a plurality of input sources, and the identification information display means for displaying at least one image of the plurality of images multiview display means for displaying, by the switching means, the display Single image display means for displaying one image on the screen . When the multi-view display unit displays a plurality of images, the identification information display unit provides an image display area in which the single image display unit displays one image on at least a part of the display screen, and displays the identification information in the image display area. I have to do it.

By such a configuration, the viewer only sees the display of the identification information by the character or the like, will be able to know which is which channel channel after you switch the like, multi by viewers It is possible to reduce the burden of checking the input image when displaying the view.
Further, even when viewed from the direction corresponding to the boundary between a plurality of viewing angle directions, overlapping of different images can be prevented at least with respect to the image display area. This makes it possible to visually recognize identification information of a plurality of input images regardless of the viewing direction of the viewer.

Further, for each image light for simultaneously displaying each of a plurality of images based on each of a plurality of input sources on a display screen, a multi-view display unit is provided, which includes a blocking unit that blocks image light in a different viewing angle direction for each image light Is configured to simultaneously display a plurality of images on the display screen by blocking each image light in a different viewing angle direction corresponding to each of the plurality of images, and the blocking unit blocks the image light . You may make it comprise a parallax barrier means by which a closing part and the transparent opening part are alternately arrange | positioned in strip shape or a matrix form.

  Multi-view display can be performed by such a parallax barrier. Thus, the viewer can simultaneously view a plurality of different images for each display direction from the same display screen.

Further, the parallax barrier unit is a transmissive state and a non-transmissive state at s opening and closing unit respectively may be electrically switched.

  With this configuration, it is possible to perform single screen display with the entire surface of the parallax barrier in a transmissive state. In this case, there is an effect of improving the resolution of the display screen.

The identification information display means may be configured to include a plurality image display means for displaying images of a plurality of input sources into one image among the plurality of images multiview display means displays.

  By displaying a plurality of input images in an image for one viewing direction in this way, the viewer can know what the plurality of input images themselves are, and the input image more clearly. Can be identified.

Further, a plurality image display means may be configured to include a reduction processing means for reducing the one even without least Chi the sale of a plurality of input source image.

  With such a reduction processing means, it is possible to display a plurality of input images in a single image with an appropriate size. Thus, the viewer can view a plurality of input images with the size of the input image according to the viewing situation.

It is also possible to Multiple image display unit is configured to include a Viewing position setting means to set the display position of the input source image.

  By having such a function of setting the display position of the input image, the input image can be displayed at any position. Thus, the viewer can view a plurality of input images at the position of the input image according to the viewing situation.

Further, by dividing the image display area to the number of the plurality of images multiview display means displays, split that displays each image of the plurality of input sources by more image display means people in the divided images table display region Husband Display processing means may be provided.

  Thus, the number of display directions is divided by dividing the image display area into the number of display directions, such as dividing the image into two if the display device has two display directions and dividing the image into three if the display direction is three. The same number of input images can be displayed at the maximum size. Thus, the viewer can view the identification information of the input image with a large image.

Further, when the identification information display means displays the identification information, a selection image display means for displaying an input selection image for selecting an input source corresponding to the identification information may be provided.

  Thus, the viewer can select an input image while viewing the identification information of the plurality of input images, and the display can be easily switched and the display can be easily changed.

Furthermore, if the selected image display unit displaying the input selected images, may be provided with a voice output means for outputting the voice of the currently selected image.

  As a result, the input image can be identified more effectively if the selected image is output together with the sound. At this time, if two or more sounds are output, the viewer may not be able to hear either sound correctly. By providing the sound output means for outputting only the selected sound, it is possible to correctly hear the selected sound.

Further, the identification information display means may display an image representing the identification information with characters or symbols.

  By displaying the information of the input image by using characters and symbols in this way, the input image can be identified by the character information, and the identification information of a plurality of input images can be known.

  Furthermore, the identification information of the input device displayed by characters or symbols may be a channel number or an external input name.

  By displaying channels and external input names in this way, the channels and external input names of a plurality of input images can be known. Thus, the viewer can easily identify the input image.

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, a multi-view display step for displaying each of a plurality of images based on a plurality of input sources on the same display screen at the same time in different viewing angle directions, A display method comprising: a switching step for switching an image displayed on the display screen by the display step to one image or a plurality of images corresponding to one or a plurality of input sources, and the image displayed by the switching step on the display screen before switching, each input source which is identification information of a plurality of input sources, and the identification information display step of displaying at least one image of the plurality of images multiview display step displays, by switching step, the display A single image display step for displaying one image on the screen . When the multi-view display step displays a plurality of images, the identification information display step includes providing an image display area for displaying one image by the single image display step on at least a part of the display screen, and the provided image display area. Displaying identification information.

By using such a method, only the viewer looking at the display of the identification information, will be able to know the identity of a plurality of input images after you switch the input when the multi-view display by the viewer The burden of checking the image can be reduced.
Further, even when viewed from the direction corresponding to the boundary between a plurality of viewing angle directions, overlapping of different images can be prevented at least with respect to the image display area. This makes it possible to visually recognize identification information of a plurality of input images regardless of the viewing direction of the viewer.

  According to the present invention, in a multi-view display device capable of single-screen display and multi-view display, a viewer can easily check an input source when switching between multi-view display and single-screen display.

  Furthermore, when switching between multi-view display and single-screen display, it is possible to reduce the burden of the work of selecting the input source of the viewer and to prevent an input image selection error.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their names and functions are also the same.
[Embodiment 1]
First, the structure of the display device in this embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, as the multi-view display device, the dual view display device 100 that performs dual view display capable of simultaneously displaying two different images in each of the two display directions by using a parallax barrier is provided. Using.

  FIG. 1 shows a specific example of the configuration of the dual view display device 100.

  The dual view display device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a display control unit 12, and a display unit 40, which are connected by a bus 15 that is a data signal line. ing.

  Further, as shown in the drawing, a plurality of input source images 16 (input images) are input to the display control unit 12.

  Here, the input source is an input source of an image such as a TV channel or a video input.

  The CPU 11 has a function of sending a control signal to the display control unit 12. The display control unit 12 has a function of sending a signal for displaying an image on the display unit 40 based on a control signal from the CPU 11.

  The display control unit 12 includes an identification information display circuit (identification information display unit) that displays identification information of an input source, a multiple image display circuit (multiple image display unit) that displays images of a plurality of input sources on a screen, A reduction processing circuit (reduction processing means) for reducing the image of the input source at the time of display, a display position setting circuit (display position setting means) for displaying the input source image at a free position on the screen, and an image display area are free. And a divided display processing circuit (divided display processing means).

  FIG. 2 shows a specific example of the configuration of the display unit 40 of the dual view display device 100.

  The display unit 40 includes a backlight 41 that is a lighting device, a liquid crystal unit 42 that creates an image by transmitting and blocking light from the backlight 41, and a parallax barrier 43 (parallax barrier means for providing viewing angle characteristics) )including. The liquid crystal unit 42 includes a color filter (not shown) to enable color display.

  Here, the two display directions of the dual view display device 100 are defined as a first direction and a second direction, respectively, and an intermediate direction is defined as a front direction. The display direction on the left side from the front direction toward the display screen is the first direction, and the display direction on the right side from the front direction toward the display screen is the second direction. Further, an image for the first direction is called a first image, and an image for the second direction is called a second image.

  In the liquid crystal unit 42, a first image display area 422 for displaying a first image and a second image display area 421 for displaying a second image are arranged in a strip shape alternately in sequence as shown in FIG. Is done. Here, the left half of the first image display area and the left half of the second image display area are combined to the left image display area, and the right half of the first image display area and the right half of the second image display area are combined to display the right image. This is an area.

  In the parallax barrier 43, as shown in FIG. 2, a closing portion 431 that blocks an image of the liquid crystal portion 42 and an opening portion 432 that allows the image of the liquid crystal portion 42 to pass through are alternately configured in a strip shape.

  With these structures, the first image displayed in the first image display area 422 passes through the opening 432 and is viewed by a viewer in the first direction. Moreover, since the 2nd image displayed on the 2nd image display area 421 is interrupted | blocked by the closing part 431, it is not watched by the viewer in the 1st direction.

  On the other hand, the second image displayed in the second image display area passes through the opening 432 and is viewed by a viewer in the second direction. Moreover, since the 1st image displayed on the 1st image display area is interrupted | blocked by the closing part 431, it cannot watch from the viewer in a 2nd direction.

  In this way, the display unit 40 displays the first image and the second image simultaneously in the first direction and the second direction, respectively.

  In this embodiment, the parallax barrier 43 in which the opening and the closing portion are alternately formed in a strip shape is used. However, a parallax barrier in which the opening and the closing portion are alternately arranged in a matrix may be used. . In this case, the closed portion and the opening portion are alternately formed in a checkered pattern so that different images can be viewed when viewed from the left and when viewed from the right, and when viewed from above. Different images can be viewed from below.

  FIG. 3 shows three display states of the dual view display device 100.

  FIG. 3 shows a diagram of the dual view display device 100 as viewed from above, and shows the display directions of images in the respective display states. The lower part is a view of the dual view display device 100 as viewed from the front, and shows the display state of the image in each display state.

  FIGS. 3A and 3D show a state in which images of two different input sources are displayed on the first image and the second image of the dual view display device 100. This display state is called dual display.

  At this time, when the dual view display device 100 is viewed from the front, the first image and the second image appear to overlap.

  3B and 3E divide the display area of the dual view display device 100 into a left image display area and a right image display area by a division processing circuit, and two different input sources by the reduction processing circuit. Each image is reduced in half in the horizontal direction, and the image of one input source is displayed in the left image display area by the multiple image display circuit, and the image of the other input source is displayed in the right image display area. ing. This display state is called double display.

  At this time, the first image and the second image are the same image. Therefore, when the dual view display device 100 is viewed from the front, the first image and the second image appear to overlap each other, but are recognized by the viewer as one image because they are the same image.

  3C and 3F show a state in which images of the same input source are displayed on the first image and the second image of the dual view display device 100. FIG. This display state is referred to as single display (single screen display).

  At this time, when the dual view display device 100 is viewed from the front, the first image and the second image appear to overlap each other, but are recognized by the viewer as one image because they are the same image.

  In the present embodiment, the viewing direction of the image is controlled by using the dual view display device 100 using the parallax barrier 43, but a parallax barrier capable of electrically switching between transmission and blocking of the image may be used.

  In this configuration, by electrically switching between the transmissive state and the non-transmissive state, a closed portion and an opening portion similar to the parallax barrier 43 can be formed, and multi-view display can be performed. Screen display can be performed.

  Furthermore, in the double display in this configuration, the screen may be divided into two on the left and right in a state where the entire surface of the parallax barrier is transmissive, and the image of the input source may be displayed in each of the divided areas.

  Note that, when the entire surface of the parallax barrier is in a transmissive state, a single image can be displayed using both the first image display area and the second image display area, which has the effect of doubling the screen resolution. .

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the dual view display device 100 for performing the above-described screen display and screen switching. The switching operation is performed by a switching signal by the viewer such as a remote control operation. The description of the operation will be described separately for two cases where the display state when the switching signal is received is a single display and a dual display.

  First, the case where the initial display state is single display will be described with reference to FIG.

  A display switching signal is received from the viewer (step S101).

  The CPU 11 switches the subsequent display state depending on whether the display mode at the time of detection is single display or dual display (step S102).

  When the display mode is the single display (FIG. 5A) in step S102, the display is double display (FIG. 5B), and the images of the two input sources are displayed at positions corresponding to the display directions. . That is, an image displayed in the first direction is displayed on the right side, and an image displayed in the second direction is displayed on the left side (step S103).

  When it is detected that a preset time (for example, 3 seconds) elapses in a state where the double display is performed, a timer process for moving to the next operation is performed (step S104).

  In the double display, the dual display (FIG. 5C) for displaying the displayed two input source images in the first direction and the second direction is performed (step S105).

  Next, a case where the initial display state is dual display will be described with reference to FIG.

  A display switching signal is received from the viewer (step S101).

  The CPU 11 detects whether the display mode at the time of detection is single display or dual display (step S102).

  When the display mode detected in step S102 is dual display (FIG. 6 (a)), the display becomes double display (FIG. 6 (b)), and the images of the two input sources that have been dual displayed are displayed in the display direction. Is displayed at the position corresponding to. That is, the image displayed in the first direction is displayed on the right side, and the image displayed in the second direction is displayed on the left side (step S106).

  When it is detected that a preset time (for example, 3 seconds) elapses in a state where the double display is performed, a timer process for moving to the next operation is performed (step S107).

  In the double display, a single display (FIG. 6C) for displaying one of the two displayed input sources in both the first direction and the second direction is performed (step S108).

When the dual view display device 100 performs such an operation, information of a plurality of images in multi-view display before or after switching can be easily understood when switching between dual display and single display.
[Embodiment 2]
As another embodiment of the present invention, a viewer may be able to select an input source using a selection screen. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the dual view display device 100 in this case. Note that the switching operation is performed by a switching signal by the viewer, such as a remote control operation, as in the first embodiment. The description of the operation will be described separately for two cases where the display state when the switching signal is received is a single display and a dual display.

  First, the case where the initial display state is single display will be described with reference to FIG.

  A display switching signal is received from the viewer (step S201).

  The CPU 11 switches the display image according to whether the display mode at the time of detection is single display or dual display (step S202).

  When the display mode detected in step S202 is a single display (FIG. 5A), the display is double display (FIG. 5B), and the images of the two input sources are at positions corresponding to the display directions. Is displayed. That is, an image displayed in the first direction is displayed on the right side, and an image displayed in the second direction is displayed on the left side (step S203).

  At this time, a selection screen 1 (input selection image) as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed.

  On the selection screen 1, the channel number or the external input name of the displayed input source is displayed at each corner of the screen as character displays 21 and 23.

  Further, a selection message is displayed as a character display 22, and a cursor 24 indicating whether the right image is in the selected state or the left image is in the selected state is displayed.

  On the selection screen as shown in the figure, the viewer can select the input source of the image for the first direction by moving the cursor to the left image, and move the cursor to the right image and then select the second direction. The input source of the image can be selected.

  In the selection screen, the selection signal of the input source in the first direction and the second direction by the viewer is received (step S204).

  Dual display (FIG. 5C) is performed to display the images of the two selected input sources in the first direction and the second direction, respectively (step S205).

  Next, a case where the initial display state is dual display will be described with reference to FIG.

  A display switching signal is received from the viewer (step S201).

  The CPU 11 detects whether the display mode at the time of detection is single display or dual display (step S202).

  When the display mode detected in step S202 is dual display (FIG. 6A), the display mode is double mode (FIG. 6B), and the images of the two input sources that have been dual displayed are displayed in the display direction. Is displayed at the position corresponding to. That is, the image displayed in the first direction is displayed on the right side, and the image displayed in the second direction is displayed on the left side (step S206).

  At this time, a selection screen 2 (input selection image) as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed.

  On the selection screen 2, the channel number or the external input name of the displayed input source is displayed at each corner of the screen as character displays 31 and 33.

  Further, a selection message is displayed as a character display 32, and a cursor 34 indicating whether the right image is in the selected state or the left image is in the selected state is displayed.

  The viewer can select an input source for single display by placing the cursor 34 on the right image or the left image on the selection screen as shown in FIG.

  On the selection screen, an input source selection signal is received from the viewer (step S207).

  Single display (FIG. 6C) for displaying the image of the selected input source in both the first direction and the second direction is performed (step S208).

  In this way, by selecting the display image while viewing the images of the two input sources, it is possible to reduce the troublesome work of the viewer when selecting the input source, and to avoid mistakes in selecting the input source. Can be prevented.

  In addition, when the input source includes an audio signal, it is preferable to provide a circuit (sound output means) (not shown) for outputting audio and output audio at the same time. If output at the same time, the viewer may not be able to hear either sound correctly. It is preferable to output only the sound currently selected by the cursor.

  In the present embodiment, the selected screen is indicated by the cursor. However, the selection may be indicated by enlarging or reducing the image of the selected input source.

  The selection screen does not necessarily need to be double-displayed. For example, in the dual display state, a selection screen that displays an image in another display direction on a part of the image in a certain display direction may be used (FIG. 10).

  Further, in the selection screen, it is not always necessary to display the entire screen as a single display, and as shown in FIG. 10, a partial area of the screen may be displayed as a single display. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, a message indicating that the dual display is currently being performed and the input source name 50 may be displayed.

  In addition, although the display apparatus of this Embodiment used the thing with the display direction of two multi view displays, you may use the thing with three or more display directions. In this case, the display area of one image is divided into three or more, and a display state in which images obtained by dividing and displaying images of three or more input sources are simultaneously displayed in three or more display directions is used. do it.

  In Embodiments 1 and 2, the dual view display device 100 having a fixed parallax barrier is used. However, a parallax barrier that can be electrically switched between transmission and blocking may be used.

  In the double display in this configuration, in a state where the entire surface of the parallax barrier is in a transmissive state, the screen is divided into two on the left and right, and images of two input sources are displayed in each of the divided regions (FIG. 12). .

The present invention can be used for a display device capable of multi-view display and single-screen display.

These are the block diagrams which showed the structure of the dual view display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. These are the block diagrams of the display part of the dual view display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. These are the figures which each showed three display states of the dual view display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. These are the flowcharts which show operation | movement of the display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. These are the figures which showed the display state at the time of switching from a single display to a dual display in embodiment of this invention. These are the figures which showed the display state at the time of switching from dual display to single display in embodiment of this invention. These are flowcharts which show another example of operation | movement of the display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. These are the figures which showed the selection screen 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. These are the figures which showed the selection screen 2 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. These are the figures which showed another example of the selection screen which concerns on embodiment of this invention. These are the figures which showed another example of the selection screen which concerns on embodiment of this invention. These are the figures which showed the display state of another dual view display apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 Dual View Display Device 12 Display Control Unit (Identification Information Display Unit, Multiple Image Display Unit, Reduction Processing Unit, Display Position Setting Processing Unit, Divided Display Processing Unit)

Claims (11)

Multi-view display means for displaying each of a plurality of images based on each of a plurality of input sources on the same display screen at the same time, corresponding to each different viewing angle direction;
Switching means for switching the image displayed on the display screen by the multi-view display means to one image or a plurality of images corresponding to one or a plurality of input sources, respectively.
Before the switching means switches the image displayed on the display screen, each input source name that is identification information of a plurality of input sources is displayed on at least one of the plurality of images displayed by the multi-view display means. Identification information display means for
Single image display means for displaying one image on the display screen by the switching means;
With
When the multi-view display unit displays the plurality of images, the identification information display unit provides an image display area in which the single image display unit displays one image on at least a part of the display screen. The identification information is displayed in the area.
And wherein a call, the display device. For each image light for simultaneously displaying each of a plurality of images based on each of a plurality of input sources on the display screen, it comprises a blocking means for blocking image light in a different viewing angle direction for each image light,
The multi-view display means is configured to simultaneously display the plurality of images on the display screen by blocking the image light in different viewing angle directions corresponding to the plurality of images.
2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the blocking unit includes a parallax barrier unit in which a closing portion that blocks the image light and an opening that transmits the image light are alternately arranged in a strip shape or a matrix shape.   The display device according to claim 2, wherein the parallax barrier means electrically switches between a transmissive state and a non-transmissive state in each of the opening and the closed portion. The said identification information display means is comprised including the several image display means which displays the image of several input sources on one image among the several images which the said multi view display means displays . The display device according to any one of the above. The display device according to claim 4 , wherein the multi-image display unit includes a reduction processing unit that reduces at least one of the images of the plurality of input sources. Wherein the plurality image display means configured to include a display position setting processing means for setting a display position of the input source image display device according to claim 4 or 5. Division display processing for dividing the image display area into the number of the plurality of images displayed by the multi-view display means, and displaying each image of a plurality of input sources by the plurality of image display means in each of the divided image display areas. The display device according to any one of claims 4 to 6 , comprising means. If the identification information display means displaying said identification information comprises a selected image display means for displaying the input selection image for selecting an input source corresponding to the identification information, any one of claims 1-7 The display device described in 1. The display device according to claim 8 , further comprising audio output means for outputting audio of the currently selected image when the selected image display means displays the input selected image. The identification information display means displays the image represented by said identification information character or symbol, the display device according to any one of claims 1-9. A multi-view display step of displaying each of a plurality of images based on each of a plurality of input sources on the same display screen at the same time, corresponding to each different viewing angle direction;
A switching step of switching the image displayed on the display screen to one image or a plurality of images corresponding to one or a plurality of input sources, wherein the multi-view display step comprises:
Before the switching step switches the image displayed on the display screen, each input source name that is identification information of the plurality of input sources is displayed on at least one of the plurality of images displayed by the multi-view display step. An identification information display step to perform ,
By the switching step, Bei example a single image display step of displaying an image on the display screen,
The identification information display step includes
When the multi-view display step displays the plurality of images, providing at least a part of the display screen with an image display region for displaying one image by the single image display step;
Displaying the identification information in the provided image display area;
including
And wherein a call, display method.

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