JP5083509B2 - Electronic circuit, electronic equipment and projector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic circuit, an electronic device, and a projector that can synthesize images according to a composition ratio.

  Generally, data of an OSD (On Screen Display) image is in an index color format. That is, the color corresponding to the color number in the index color format is provided as part of the palette data. For example, as described in JP-A-11-146275, generally, only color data (for example, RGB values, luminance signal values, color difference signal values, etc.) is stored in the palette data.

  Further, the image processing circuit determines a color corresponding to the color number of the OSD image data by referring to the palette data. Then, the image processing circuit combines the OSD image and the background image (source image) to generate a combined image. When this composite image is generated, a value indicating a composite ratio called α value is used. Note that generation of a composite image using an α value may be referred to as α blending.

For example, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-146275, the α value is provided separately from the palette data, and the entire OSD image is synthesized based on one α value. As a second method, for example, it is conceivable to use OSD image data in which one pixel is composed of a color number of 1 byte and an α value of 1 byte. As a third method, for example, it is conceivable to use OSD image data in which one pixel is composed of a color number of 4 bits and an α value of 4 bits.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-146275

  However, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-146275, the entire OSD image is synthesized based on one α value, so that the transmittance of a part of the OSD image can be changed or a part of the OSD image can be changed. It is impossible to change the color transmittance. In the second method, since one pixel is 2 bytes, the amount of data is doubled, and the amount of memory occupied by OSD image data is increased. In the third method, only 16 colors can be set when the color number is 4 bits, and only 16 levels of transmittance can be set when the α value is 4 bits.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic circuit, an electronic apparatus, and a projector that can synthesize various OSD images with a smaller storage capacity.

  The electronic circuit according to the present invention includes source image data for displaying a source image and data for displaying at least one OSD image to be combined with the source image, and constitutes the OSD image. A memory for storing index color data, which is data indicating index color format color numbers in units of predetermined pixels, and palette data having image signal values and α values indicating a composition ratio for each color number; and the source image data And determining the composition ratio with reference to the α value indicated by the color number based on the index color data and the palette data, and indicating the source image data and the color number at the composition ratio. An image processing unit that synthesizes the image signal value to be synthesized in units of the predetermined pixels, and generates a synthesized image. Features.

  An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes the electronic circuit described above.

  A projector according to the present invention includes the electronic circuit and a projection unit that projects the composite image.

  According to the present invention, by including an α value in the palette data, a projector or the like can reduce the necessary storage capacity compared to the case where an α value is provided for each pixel, and can set an α value for each color number. Therefore, various OSD images can be synthesized.

  The image processing unit may include an update unit that updates the α value included in the palette data, and an image generation unit that generates the composite image.

  According to this, since the projector and the like can update the α value, the transmittance of the OSD image can be changed, and various OSD images can be synthesized.

  Further, the update unit updates the α value included in the palette data in accordance with the generation of the composite image, and the image generation unit updates the transmittance of the OSD image by updating the α value. The composite image may be generated while gradually changing.

  According to this, since the projector or the like can generate a composite image while gradually changing the transmittance of the OSD image, it can synthesize various OSD images.

  A determination unit configured to determine a brightness value indicating brightness of the source image based on the source image data; and the update unit calculates the α value included in the palette data according to the brightness value. The image generation unit may update the α value to change the transmittance of the OSD image according to the brightness of the source image, and generate the composite image.

  According to this, since the projector or the like can change the transmittance of the OSD image according to the brightness of the source image, it is possible to generate a composite image that is easier to view.

  The index color data includes data indicating importance for each OSD image, and the update unit compares the importance of the OSD images to be used when a plurality of OSD images are used. The α value of the OSD image having the high importance is updated so as to be relatively higher than the α value of the OSD image having the low importance, and the image generation unit By updating, the composite image may be generated by making the OSD image having the higher importance stand out relatively than the OSD image having the lower importance.

  According to this, a projector or the like can generate a composite image by making OSD images with high importance stand out.

  In addition, the projector includes an image information input unit that inputs image information for displaying the source image, and the image processing unit is based on the resolution of the projection panel of the projection unit and the resolution of the source image. A first determination unit that determines a scaling method, and a first scaling that performs first scaling on the image information and writes the scaled image information to the memory as the source image data based on the scaling method A reading unit that reads the source image data from the memory, a second scaling unit that performs second scaling on the source image data read by the reading unit based on the scaling method, And the image generation unit is based on the image data after the second scaling. It can, may generate the composite image.

  According to this, the projector can perform image scaling while suppressing the processing load.

  Hereinafter, an example in which the present invention is applied to a projector will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the Example shown below does not limit the content of the invention described in the claim at all. In addition, all the configurations shown in the following embodiments are not necessarily essential as means for solving the invention described in the claims.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a projector 100 in the first embodiment. The projector 100 projects an image by an input unit 110 for inputting user operation information, an image information input unit 112 for inputting image information for displaying an image, an image processing unit 114, memories 140 and 170, and the like. The projection unit 190 is included. Note that the image processing unit 114 and the memories 140 and 170 are a kind of electronic circuit.

  The image processing unit 114 includes a processing unit 120, first and second scaling units 130-1 and 130-2, a reading unit 150 that reads various data from the memory 140, and an image generation unit 160. Has been. The processing unit 120 includes an updating unit 122 that updates various data, a determination unit 124 that performs various determinations, and a determination unit 126 that determines a scaling method and the like.

  The memory 140 stores source image data 142 input by the image information input unit 112 and scaled by the scaling unit 130-1, index color data 144 for displaying an OSD image, and the like. In addition, the memory 170 stores palette data 172 corresponding to the index color data 144 and the like. Here, the index color data 144 and the palette data 172 will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing index color data 144 and palette data 172. The index color data 144 is data for displaying at least one OSD image to be combined with the source image. The index color data 144 is a predetermined pixel unit constituting the OSD image (in this embodiment, one pixel unit, but three rows and three). It may be a pixel block unit composed of a pixel group such as a column.), And indicates the color number in the index color format.

  The items of the index color data 144 include, for example, “ID” for identifying the OSD image, “Importance” indicating the importance of the OSD image, “Upper left position” indicating the upper left coordinate position of the OSD image, OSD image “Bottom right position” indicating the lower right coordinate position, “color number” indicating the color number of each pixel from the upper left to the lower right of the OSD image, and the like. Note that “importance”, “upper left position”, and “lower right position” are not essential. For example, when the display position and size of the OSD image are determined at the time of image generation by the image generation unit 160 or the like, the “upper left position” and the “lower right position” are unnecessary.

  The palette data 172 is data having an image signal value and an α value indicating a composition ratio for each color number. The items of the palette data 172 include, for example, “color number”, “R value”, which is a kind of image signal value, “G value”, “B value”, “α value” indicating a composition ratio, and the like. Note that the α value may be used as a value indicating the opacity of the OSD image. The “color number” of the palette data 172 is not essential. For example, RGB values and α values may be arranged in the order of the color numbers, and desired RGB values and α values may be accessed by memory addresses.

  Moreover, the function of each part of the projector 100 may be implemented using, for example, the following hardware. For example, the input unit 110 is a remote controller, a button, the image information input unit 112 is an image signal input terminal, the image processing unit 114 is an image processing circuit, the memories 140 and 170 are RAM, the projection unit 190 A lamp, a liquid crystal panel, a lens, or the like may be used.

  Next, an image processing procedure using the palette data 172 and the like will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an image processing procedure in the first embodiment. First, the image information input unit 112 inputs image information (for example, RGB signals) from an image supply device such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a DVD player (step S1).

  The determination unit 126 determines a scaling method based on the resolution of the display area of the projection unit 190 (for example, the display area of the liquid crystal panel) and the resolution of the input image indicated by the image information input by the image information input unit 112. (Step S2).

  For example, when the number of horizontal pixels of the display area of the projection unit 190 is 1152 and the number of horizontal pixels of the input image is 1920, the determination unit 126 reduces the horizontal direction of the input image to 3/5. Determine the scaling method shown. For example, when the number of horizontal pixels of the display area of the projection unit 190 is 1920 and the number of horizontal pixels of the input image is 640, the determination unit 126 indicates that the horizontal direction of the input image is expanded three times. Determine the scaling method. Note that the determination unit 126 determines the scaling method in the vertical direction as in the horizontal direction.

  If the scaling method indicates that the input image is enlarged (step S3), the scaling unit 130-1 writes the input image information as it is as the source image data 142 in the memory 140 (step S4).

  Then, the reading unit 150 reads the source image data 142 from the memory 140 (Step S5), and the scaling unit 130-2 executes sampling processing and filter processing when the scaling method indicates that the input image is enlarged. As a result, the resolution of the read image data is enlarged (step S6).

  The image generation unit 160 generates an image based on the image data from the scaling unit 130-2 (step S11), and the projection unit 190 projects the image (step S12). Details of image generation (step S11) will be described later.

  On the other hand, when the scaling method indicates that the input image is to be reduced (step S7), the scaling unit 130-1 performs the sampling process and the filter process on the image data of the input image, thereby reducing the resolution of the input image. The image data is reduced and written in the memory 140 as source image data 142 (step S8).

  Then, the reading unit 150 reads the source image data 142 from the memory 140 (step S9), the scaling unit 130-2 transfers the source image data 142 as it is to the image generation unit 160, and the image generation unit 160 An image is generated based on the source image data 142 and the like from the scaling unit 130-2 (step S11), and the projection unit 190 projects the image (step S12).

  When the scaling method indicates that neither enlargement nor reduction is performed, the scaling unit 130-1 writes the source image data 142 in the memory 140 with the resolution of the input image (Step S10), and the reading unit 150 reads the memory 140 from the memory 140. The source image data 142 is read (step S9), the scaling unit 130-2 transfers the source image data 142 as it is to the image generation unit 160, and the image generation unit 160 receives the source image data 142 from the scaling unit 130-2. Based on the above, an image is generated (step S11), and the projection unit 190 projects the image (step S12).

  Here, the image generation (step S11) will be described in more detail. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an image generation procedure in the first embodiment. The determination unit 124 determines whether there is an instruction to display an OSD image based on user operation information from the input unit 110 (step S21). Note that, as the OSD image, for example, an image indicating the state of the projector 100, an image for setting the projector 100, and the like are applicable.

  When the determination unit 124 determines that there is an instruction to display the OSD image, the image generation unit 160 determines whether the pixel to be generated is a display pixel of the OSD image (step S22). Specifically, for example, the image generation unit 160 determines an ID corresponding to the OSD image to be used based on the operation information, and stores a record of the index color data 144 having an ID corresponding to the ID in the reading unit 150. The determination is made based on the “upper left position” and “lower right position” of the record.

  If it is a display pixel of the OSD image, the determination unit 126 determines the index color data 144 and the color number to be used (step S23), and determines the palette data 172 to be used based on the color number (step S24). ). Specifically, for example, the determination unit 126 determines an ID corresponding to the OSD image to be used based on the operation information, searches the index color data 144 for a record having an ID corresponding to the ID, and displays the display target. A record having “color number” that matches the “color number” of the record corresponding to the pixel is determined from the palette data 172, and the record is transferred to the image generation unit 160.

  The image generation unit 160 generates a composite image (display target pixel) based on the palette data 172 to be used and the source image data 142 (step S25). Specifically, for example, the RGB values of the display target pixel palette data 172 are R ′, G ′, B ′, the α value is α ′, and the RGB values of the source image data 142 of the display target pixel are R1, G1, Let B1. In this case, the R value of the display target pixel of the composite image = R1 (1−α ′) + R′α ′, the G value of the pixel = G1 (1−α ′) + G′α ′, B value = B1 (1−α ′) + B′α ′. It is assumed that the α value is normalized so that the maximum value is 1 and the minimum value is 0.

  On the other hand, when the display target pixel is a pixel that does not overlap the OSD image, the image generation unit 160 generates an image (display target pixel) using the RGB values of the source image data 142 (step S27).

  The image generation unit 160 determines whether or not the processing of all the pixels constituting the composite image has been completed (step S26). If the processing has not been completed, the processing of steps S22 to S26 is repeatedly executed. The generation (step S11) process is terminated. When there is no instruction to display the OSD image, the image generation unit 160 generates an image based on the source image data 142 as in the process of step S27 (step S28).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the projector 100 includes the α value in the pallet data 172, so that the necessary storage capacity can be reduced as compared with the case where the α value is provided for each pixel, and for each color number. Since it is possible to set an α value to, various OSD images can be synthesized. In particular, when the projector 100 processes data in units of 32 bits, image processing can be executed efficiently by configuring the RGB values and α values in the palette data 172 with 32 bits.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the projector 100 performs scaling according to the resolution of the image using the scaling units 130-1 and 130-2, thereby scaling the image while suppressing the processing load. Can do.

(Second embodiment)
Next, an embodiment for updating the α value will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing image transition in the second embodiment. In this embodiment, for example, in the initial state, the α value of the palette data 172 is 0, and a composite image of 30 frames is generated every second, and the update unit 122 changes the α value of the palette data 172 every 30 frames. It shall be updated by 0.2.

  In this case, the OSD image 400 in the composite image 300 in the initial state is in a completely transparent state, but the OSD image 400 gradually becomes opaque by updating the α value, and the composite image after 5 seconds. The OSD image 401 in 301 is in a non-transparent state because the α value is updated to 1.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, since the projector 100 can update the α value, the transmittance of the OSD images 400 and 401 can be gradually changed, and various OSD images 400 and 401 can be displayed. Can be synthesized. Further, according to the present embodiment, the projector 100 not only gradually changes the OSD image from the transmissive state to the non-transmissive state, but can also gradually change the OSD image from the non-transmissive state to the transmissive state. .

(Third embodiment)
Next, an embodiment in which the brightness of the OSD image is adjusted according to the brightness of the source image will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a composite image 302 in the case of a dark image in the third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a composite image 303 in the case of a normal brightness image in the third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a composite image 304 in the case of a bright image in the third embodiment.

  The determination unit 124 determines a brightness value (for example, a brightness value, an RGB value, etc.) indicating the brightness of the source image based on the source image data 142, and the update unit 122 determines palette data according to the brightness value. 172 is updated, and the image generation unit 160 changes the transmittance of the OSD images 402 to 404 according to the brightness of the source image by updating the α value, so that the composite images 302 to 304 are updated. Is generated.

  Specifically, for example, the determination unit 124 calculates an average value of luminance values of the entire source image based on the source image data 142, and applies the average value as the brightness value. The updating unit 122 sets the α value to 0.5 when the average value is in an intermediate luminance range (for example, a range of 1/3 to 2/3 of the maximum luminance value) (in the case of normal brightness). When the average value is smaller than the intermediate luminance range (in the case of a dark image), the α value is updated to 0, and when the average value is larger than the intermediate luminance range (in the case of a bright image), the α value is set to 1. Update.

  As a result, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, in the case of a dark image, the OSD image 402 is in a completely transmissive state, in the case of normal brightness, the OSD image 403 is in a semi-transmissive state, and in the case of a bright image, The OSD image 404 is in a non-transparent state.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the projector 100 can change the transmittance of the OSD images 402 to 404 according to the brightness of the source image, it is possible to generate the composite images 302 to 304 that are easier to see. .

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a case where a plurality of OSD images are displayed in one composite image will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a composite image 305 including a plurality of conventional OSD images 405 and 406. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a composite image 306 including a plurality of OSD images 407 and 408 in the fourth embodiment.

  For example, in the conventional composite image 305, when two OSD images 405 and 406 are included, the transmittance of each OSD image 405 and 406 is the same. In contrast, the projector 100 according to the present embodiment sets the transmittance of each OSD image 407, 408 according to the importance of each OSD image 407, 408.

  Specifically, for example, the OSD image 407 is an image showing a message “The temperature inside the projector is getting higher. Check the installation location and the air filter.” The OSD image 408 is “video signal”. It is assumed that the image indicates the message “No is entered.” In this case, the OSD image 407 is higher in importance than the OSD image 408, and the “importance” of the palette data 172 is also set to a higher value.

  When a plurality of OSD images are used, the update unit 122 compares the “importance” of the OSD image to be used in the pallet data 172 and also calculates the “α value” in the pallet data 172 of the OSD image having the higher importance. , Update so as to be relatively higher than the “α value” in the palette data 172 of the OSD image with low importance (for example, the former α value is set higher, and the latter α value is set lower). The former α value is set higher and the latter α value is set lower).

  The image generation unit 160 updates the “α value” of the pallet data 172 to generate a composite image 306 by making the OSD image 407 having a high importance stand out more than the OSD image 408 having a low importance. To do. Thus, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, since the character string of the OSD image 407 having a high importance level is opaque, the character string of the OSD image 408 having a low importance level is translucent. It becomes unclear.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the projector 100 can generate the composite image 306 by highlighting the OSD image 407 having high importance.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, an embodiment in which the α value is changed for each color number will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a composite image 307 in the fifth embodiment. For example, in the OSD image 409, items selected by the user (for example, “setting” and “pointer shape” in FIG. 11) are displayed in a color different from other items. That is, the color number of the item is different from the color numbers of the other items.

  The updating unit 122 updates only the α value corresponding to the color number of the item selected by the user to a non-transparent value. Thereby, the projector 100 can display the item more prominently than other items. For example, in the case of the conventional method in which the entire OSD image is synthesized based on one α value, the transmittance of some areas in the OSD image is changed, or the transmittance of some colors in the OSD image is changed. However, according to the present embodiment, the projector 100 changes the transmittance of a part of the region in the OSD image 409 or changes the transmittance of a part of the color in the OSD image 409. You can do it.

(Other examples)
In addition, application of this invention is not limited to the Example mentioned above, A various deformation | transformation is possible. For example, in the embodiment described above, the projector 100 uses the two scaling units 130, but may use only one scaling unit 130. Further, the projector 100 uses two memories 140 and 170, but the source image data 142, the index color data 144, and the palette data 172 may be stored in one memory, and the memories may be used.

  Further, for example, when the aspect ratio of the display area of the liquid crystal panel is different from the aspect ratio of the image, the non-display area is generated, but the update unit 122 displays the non-display area so that the non-display area is displayed in black. The α value of the part may be set to a non-transparent value.

  The projector 100 to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to a liquid crystal projector. For example, a projector using a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) developed by Texas Instruments, Inc., a CRT projector, or a projector using an organic EL. Etc. The present invention is also effective when an electronic device such as a photo viewer, a liquid crystal display, a TV (Tele Vision), a digital camera, a game device, or a mobile phone is used instead of the projector 100.

  Further, the functions of the projector 100 described above may be distributed to a plurality of devices (for example, a PC and a projector, a DVD player and a TV, etc.). Further, the present invention may be mounted on an electronic circuit (for example, a substrate) having the image processing unit 114 and the memories 140 and 170.

It is a functional block diagram of the projector in a 1st Example. It is a schematic diagram which shows index color data and palette data. It is a flowchart which shows the image processing procedure in a 1st Example. It is a flowchart which shows the image generation procedure in a 1st Example. It is a figure which shows the image transition in a 2nd Example. It is a figure which shows the synthesized image in the case of the dark image in a 3rd Example. It is a figure which shows the synthesized image in the case of the image of normal brightness in a 3rd Example. It is a figure which shows the synthesized image in the case of the bright image in a 3rd Example. It is a figure which shows the synthesized image containing the several conventional OSD image. It is a figure which shows the synthesized image containing the several OSD image in a 4th Example. It is a figure which shows the synthesized image in a 5th Example.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Projector (electronic device), 110 Input part, 112 Image information input part, 114 Image processing part, 120 Processing part, 122 Update part, 124 Determination part, 126 Determination part, 130 Scaling part, 140, 170 Memory, 142 Source image Data, 144 Index color data, 150 Reading unit, 160 Image generation unit, 172 Pallet data, 190 Projection unit, 300 to 307 Composite image, 400 to 409 OSD image

Claims (6)

Source image data for displaying a source image and data for displaying at least one OSD image to be combined with the source image, and in an index color format for each predetermined pixel constituting the OSD image A memory for storing index color data which is data indicating color numbers, and palette data having an image signal value and an α value indicating a composition ratio for each color number;
Based on the source image data, the index color data, and the palette data, the composition ratio is determined by referring to the α value indicated by the color number, and the source image data and the composition data are determined by the composition ratio. look including an image processing unit that the said image signal value indicated by the color number was synthesized by the predetermined pixel units to generate a composite image,
The image processing unit
An update unit for updating the α value included in the palette data;
An image generation unit for generating the composite image,
The index color data includes data indicating importance for each OSD image,
When a plurality of the OSD images are used, the update unit compares the importance levels of the OSD images to be used, and determines the α value of the OSD image with the high importance level as the low importance level. Update the OSD image so that it is relatively higher than the α value ,
The image generation unit generates the composite image by updating the α value so that the OSD image having a high importance level is more prominent than the OSD image having a low importance level. A featured electronic circuit. The electronic circuit according to claim 1 .
The update unit updates the α value included in the palette data according to the generation of the composite image,
The electronic circuit, wherein the image generation unit generates the composite image while gradually changing the transmittance of the OSD image by updating the α value. The electronic circuit according to claim 1, 2,
A determination unit for determining a brightness value indicating brightness of the source image based on the source image data;
The update unit updates the α value included in the palette data according to the brightness value,
The electronic circuit, wherein the image generation unit generates the composite image by changing the transmittance of the OSD image according to the brightness of the source image by updating the α value. The electronic device containing the electronic circuit in any one of Claims 1-3 . An electronic circuit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
A projection unit for projecting the composite image;
Including projector. The projector according to 請 Motomeko 5,
An image information input unit for inputting image information for displaying the source image;
The image processing unit
A determination unit that determines a scaling method based on the resolution of the projection panel of the projection unit and the resolution of the source image;
A first scaling unit that performs first scaling on the image information based on the scaling method, and writes the scaled image information to the memory as the source image data;
A reading unit for reading the source image data from the memory;
A second scaling unit that performs second scaling on the source image data read by the reading unit based on the scaling method;
Including
The projector, wherein the image generation unit generates the composite image based on the second scaled image data.