JPH08251503A - Image display system and image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To display computer images and a television images simultaneously at a proper luminance suitable for each by inserting the television image to the computer image such as a character or a graphic. CONSTITUTION: A ROM circuit 5 stores programs of a CPU circuit 4 and image data A and the CPU circuit 4 is operated according to the programs. The CPU circuit 4 reads the image data A from the ROM circuit 5 and converts the data into an image signal A, and it is fed to an image synthesis means 3. Furthermore, an image signal B is received from an input terminal 7 to an external input means 6 and fed to the image synthesis means 3, in which the signal B is inserted into an inserted position of the image signal A designated by the CPU circuit 4. An output image signal Video 1 of the image synthesis means 3 is fed to a specific area luminance control means 2 and a prescribed luminance level is set independently between the part of the image signal A and the part of the image signal B in a timing of a timing signal from the CPU circuit 4 via a signal bus 8 and the signals are displayed simultaneously by the image display means 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image display system and an image display apparatus for simultaneously displaying a computer image mainly for displaying characters and figures and a television image mainly for displaying natural images on the same screen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, VOD (Video On Demmand) services and CD-ROMs that allow users to watch their favorite programs whenever they want
So-called multimedia services such as electronic encyclopedias using are becoming popular. In such a multimedia service, a television image such as a natural image is often embedded in and displayed on a computer screen.

[0003]

Generally, in a computer display, since characters and figures are viewed in the immediate vicinity, the display brightness is not so high as to be easily seen by a computer operator. On the other hand, the television image is set to a relatively high brightness so that it looks good.

For this reason, when a television image and a computer image of characters or figures are simultaneously displayed on a computer display device, the television image has a lower brightness than that seen by a normal television receiver, and the television image loses its appearance. Therefore, it is necessary to separately control the brightness level of the characters and figures displayed on the screen of the display device and the brightness level of the natural image display so that only the display part of the natural image is brightened.

By the way, as the inset display, a picture-in-picture in which a child screen is inset and displayed on a main screen of a television is widely known. Picture in
In the picture, there are multiple video signal input systems in the TV receiver for the main screen and the sub screen, and the amplitude level and DC level are controlled separately for each video signal, and the brightness is independently set for the main screen and the sub screen. You can change the level.

On the other hand, the process of inserting a television image such as a natural image into a computer character or graphic display (synthesis process) is as follows.
This is performed by software processing of a computer or the like, and the video signal thus synthesized is supplied to a display device for display. For this reason, in many cases when displaying a television image such as a natural image on a computer character or graphic display, one synthesized video signal system is supplied to the display as it is. With a configuration having a plurality of video signal input systems, it is impossible to control the amplitude level and DC level of the embedded screen separately.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problem and provide an image display system and an image display device capable of independently controlling the level for each embedded image even in the case of a synthesized video signal. To do.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention designates an image synthesis timing on a synthesized image signal, and controls an amplitude level and a DC level at the designated image signal timing. .

[0009]

[Function] It is possible to control the brightness levels of characters and figures displayed on the screen of the image display means and the natural image separately.
As a result, television images such as natural images are displayed brightly and neatly, and computer images such as characters and figures are displayed at low brightness and are easy to read.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of an image display system and an image display device according to the present invention, in which 1 is an image display means, 2 is a specific area luminance conversion means, 3
Is an image synthesizing means, 4 is a CPU circuit, 5 is a ROM circuit, 6
Is an external input means, 7 is an input terminal, and 8 is a signal bus.

In the figure, the specific area luminance conversion means 2,
The image synthesizing means 3, the CPU circuit 4, the ROM circuit 5 and the external input means 6 are connected by a signal bus 8. Further, the device including the image synthesizing unit 3, the CPU circuit 4, the ROM circuit 5, and the external input unit 6 may have the same configuration as that of a computer, for example. The image synthesizing means 3 synthesizes two images, and can be composed of, for example, a frame memory device. The specific area brightness conversion means 2 converts the brightness level of a specific area displayed on the image display means 1.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below. Here, it is assumed that the image B is embedded in the image A and displayed by the image display means 1.

The CPU circuit 4 uses, for example, the ROM circuit 5 based on the program information stored in the ROM circuit 5.
The image data A stored in is converted into a video signal by the image synthesizing means 3. This video signal is used as the specific area brightness conversion means 2
And is supplied to the image display means 1. As a result, the image A is displayed on the image display means 1.

On the other hand, the external input means 6 is, for example, a television video signal input device, which takes in the image signal B input from the input terminal 7 and sends it to the image synthesizing means 3 via the signal bus 8. Of course, for the signal transmission from the external input means 6 to the image synthesizing means 3, a line provided separately from the signal bus 8 may be used. The image data B is embedded in the previous image data A by the image synthesizing means 3 and is supplied and displayed on the image display means 1. Here, as shown in the figure, the image B is embedded in the image A and displayed.

The specific area brightness conversion means 2 can change the brightness levels of the images A and B displayed on the image display means 1 separately.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the specific area luminance conversion means 2, 10 is an amplitude control means,
11 is a DC level control means, 12 is an adder, 13, 1
4, 16 are variable power sources, 15 is a changeover switch, 17a-1
7c is a data latch, 18a to 18c are address decoders, 19a to 19d are counters, 20a to 20c are AND gates, and 21 is a timing generation circuit 21.

In this drawing, in this concrete example, an amplitude control means 10 for controlling the amplitude of the image signal, a DC level control means 11 for controlling the DC level of the image signal, and an adder 12 are shown.
, Variable power sources 13, 14, 16 and changeover switch 15
And data latches 17a to 17c for setting the voltage values of the variable power supplies 13, 14 and 16, and data latches 17a to 1
Address decoders 18a to 1 for latching data in 7c
8c and a timing generation circuit 21 for generating a timing signal Key for controlling the changeover of the changeover switch 15.

The timing generating circuit 21 is for generating a timing signal Key for specifying the fitting position of the image B in the image A, and a counter for specifying the vertical and horizontal start and end addresses of the image B. Circuits 19a-1
9d, AND gates 20a to 20c, data latches 17d to 17g for setting respective address values in the counter circuits 19a to 19d, and address decoders 18d to 1
It consists of 8g.

Data that determines the DC level of the entire screen of the composite image supplied from the CPU circuit 4 via the signal bus 8 (FIG. 1) is stored in the data latch 17a, and data that determines the amplitude of the entire screen is stored in the data latch 17b. , The data for determining the amplitude of the fitting portion (in this case, the portion of the image B) is stored in the data latch 17c, the vertical start address of the fitting portion is stored in the data latch 17d, and the vertical end address of the fitting portion is stored in the data latch 17e. Then, the horizontal start address of the fitting portion is stored in the data latch 17f, and the horizontal end address of the fitting portion is stored in the data latch 17g.

The data of the data latch 17d and the data of the data latch 17e are preset in the vertical start counter 19a and the vertical end counter 19b by the vertical synchronizing signal Vsync, and the horizontal start counter 19c and the horizontal end counter 19d have data latches. The data of 17f and the data of the data latch 17g are preset by the horizontal synchronizing signal Hsync. The vertical start counter 19a and the vertical end counter 19b respectively use the horizontal synchronizing signal Hsync as the count clock signal, and the horizontal start counter 19c and the horizontal end counter 19d respectively use the dot clock signal DOTCK as the counter clock signal. The outputs of the vertical start counter 19a and the vertical end counter 19b are logically ANDed by the AND gate 20a, and the outputs of the horizontal start counter 19c and the horizontal end counter 19d are logically ANDed by the AND gate 20b. , 20b are ANDed by the AND gate 20c to obtain a timing signal Key indicating the fitting position of the image B.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the timing signal Key and the level of the video signal divided into a horizontal scanning period and a vertical scanning period.

In the figure, the hatched portion of the input image signal Video1 is the fitting portion (image B). The timing signal Key changes from "L" (low level) to "H" (high level) in the hatched portion of the image signal Video1 and closes the changeover switch 15 to the variable power source 16 side.

As a result, the control voltage applied to the amplitude control means 10 is added by the adder 12 to the voltages of the variable power supplies 13 and 16 only during the display period of the image B on the image display means 1 (FIG. 1). It becomes a voltage, which increases the amplitude, and the luminance level can be changed only in the image B portion of the input image signal Video2 of the image display means 1.

For example, when the image A is a text screen and the image B is a television screen, it is possible to simultaneously display a bright and beautiful television screen and a readable text screen with reduced brightness.

Needless to say, the external input means 6 may be a digital system corresponding to CATV, LAN, ISDN used in the VOD system or the like.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the external input means 6
Instead of, the data storage device 31 may be used. The data storage device 31 may be a solid magnetic disk, a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, or the like,
Image data corresponding to images A and B are stored.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, external input means 6
Instead of the above, the ROM 205 storing image data corresponding to the images A and B may be used, or as shown in FIG. 6, external input means 6 and a data storage device 131 may be further provided. In the case of the embodiment shown, of course, the three images A, B and C can be simultaneously displayed on the image display means 1. A specific example of the specific area luminance conversion means 102 in this case is shown in FIG. However, 17i and 17j are data latches, 18i and 18j are address decoders, and 21a and 21j.
b is a timing generation circuit, 32 is a changeover switch, 33,
Reference numeral 34 is a variable power source, and 35 is a decoder. The same reference numerals are given to the portions corresponding to those in FIG.

In FIG. 7, the timing generation circuit 21a
Is for generating a timing signal indicating the display period of the image B of the image display means 1 in FIG. 6, and the timing generation circuit 21b is for generating a timing signal indicating the display period of the image C. These timing generation circuits 21a,
The output signal of 21b is supplied to the changeover switch 32 through the decoder 35. When the timing generation circuit 21a generates the timing signal, the changeover switch 32 is closed to the variable power source 33 side, and the timing generation circuit 21b generates the timing signal. Then, the changeover switch 32 is closed to the variable power source 34 side. Otherwise, the changeover switch 32 has a voltage value of 0.
Select the voltage of.

The voltage from the change-over switch 32 is applied to the adder circuit 1
At 2, the voltage is added to the voltage of the variable power source 13, and the amplitude control means 10
Is supplied to. The voltage of the variable power source 33 is the data latch 17
The voltage of the variable power supply 34 is also set according to the data of the data latch 17j.

Therefore, the amplitudes of the images B and C can be appropriately set by appropriately setting the data of the data latches 17i and 17j.

Obviously, if the number of timing generation circuits is increased, it is possible to deal with the brightness level conversion of an arbitrary number of embedded screens.

As described above, it is possible to independently control only the brightness of the embedded image. For example, when the image A is a text screen and the image B is a TV screen, a bright and clean TV screen and reading with reduced brightness are performed. Simultaneous display with an easy text screen is possible.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the specific area luminance conversion means 2 in the second embodiment of the image display system and the image display apparatus according to the present invention, in which 18h is an address decoder and 22a and 22b are. Changeover switch, 2
Reference numeral 3 is an A / D converter, 24 is a LUT (look-up table), and 25 is a D / A converter. The parts corresponding to those in FIG.

The overall structure of the second embodiment is also the one shown in FIG. 1, but the specific area brightness converting means 2 is the specific area brightness converting means shown in FIG. 3 in the first embodiment. Two
And different. This specific example is greatly different from the specific example shown in FIG. 3 in that the brightness level conversion of the fitting portion is performed by digital signal processing, and the processing means therefor converts an analog video signal into a digital video signal. A / D to convert
Converter 23 and LUT as digital data converter
24, a D / A converter 52 for converting a digital video signal into an analog video signal, and changeover switches 22a, 22b
It consists of and.

Next, the operation of this specific example will be described.

By the timing signal Key from the timing generator 21, the changeover switches 22a and 22b are closed to the B side only in the time zone of the fitting portion. At this time, the video signal Vi
The signal of the image B portion of deo1 is digitized by the A / D converter 23 and supplied to the LUT 24. Conversion data is input to the LUT 24 from the CPU circuit 4 via the signal bus 8 (FIG. 1), and the amplitude and DC level of the video signal Video1 are set to desired values by this conversion data. This LUT 24 is, for example, an EEPROM
And the like, and the data rewriting from the CPU circuit 4 can be freely performed.

The output data of the LUT 24 is converted into an analog video signal by the D / A converter 25, and then the level is controlled by the amplitude control means 10 and the DC level control means 11 to be output as a video signal Video2. As a result, the luminance level can be controlled by the LUT 24 only during the period of the image B.

During the period of the image A, the changeover switches 22a,
22b is closed to the A side, and luminance control by the LUT 24 is not performed. Further, the control of the overall amplitude and DC level is performed via the variable power supplies 13 and 14 as in the specific example shown in FIG.

As described above, the fitting portion (image B)
Only the brightness level can be changed. In particular, in the case of the digital system shown in FIG. 8, not only the amplitude but also various controls such as the DC level, the gamma level, and the hue can be controlled.

In FIG. 8, the changeover switches 22a, 2a
2b are arranged in front of the A / D converter 23 and after the D / A converter 25 to switch the analog video signal. However, the changeover switches 22a and 22b are arranged respectively after the A / D converter 23. It may be arranged in front of the D / A converter 25 to switch the digital video signal.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention, in which 36 is an image synthesizing means, and the portions corresponding to those in FIG. And redundant description will be omitted.

The feature of this embodiment is that, as shown in FIG.
The addition of the specific area luminance conversion function to the image synthesizing means 36 simplifies the circuit configuration as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the image synthesizing means 36, and 37 is a frame memory and 3
8 is a control device, 122a and 122b are changeover switches, 1
Reference numeral 24 is an LUT, and 125 is a D / A converter.

In FIG. 10, this concrete example is a frame memory 37 for writing / reading image data, an LUT 124 for converting digital data, and a D / A converter 1 for converting a digital video signal into an analog video signal.
25, changeover switches 122a and 122b, write / read control of the frame memory 37, and changeover switch 122
a and 122b, and a control device 38 for rewriting data in the LUT 124.

The control device 38 also defines the storage areas of the image data A and B in the frame memory,
B is written and read in the designated area. As a result, the image B is inserted into the image A in the frame memory 37. Therefore, the control device 38 can determine whether the read position in the frame memory 37 is the storage area of the image data A or the storage area of the image data B, and the changeover switch 12 is determined based on this determination.
Switching control is performed between 2a and 122b.

The frame memory 37 includes the CPU circuit 4
Image data A and B are transferred and expanded from (FIG. 9). When the frame memory 37 outputs the portion of the image data A, the changeover switches 122a and 122b are closed to the A side, and this image data A is changed over to the changeover switch 122.
is supplied to the D / A converter 125 via a and 122b,
Then, it is converted into an analog video signal and output.

In the time zone of the image data B, the changeover switches 122a and 122b are closed to the B side, and the data is converted by the LUT 124. As described with reference to FIG. 8, the LUT 124
Since it is possible to freely change the amplitude and DC level of the video signal, it is possible to freely control only the brightness level of the image B.

As described above, it is possible to independently adjust only the brightness level of the fitting portion with a relatively simple structure. For example, when the image A is a text screen and the image B is a TV screen, a bright and clean TV. Simultaneous display of screen and easy-to-read text screen with reduced brightness is possible.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the image display system and the image display apparatus according to the present invention, in which 305 is a ROM, and parts corresponding to those in FIG. The description will be omitted.

In the figure, the ROM 305 has a CPU
The image data A is stored together with the program of the circuit 4, and the CPU circuit 4 is
It performs processing such as setting the fitting area and various arithmetic processing.
Here, the CPU circuit 4 performs the brightness level of the fitting portion by software calculation, which further simplifies the hardware configuration as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG.

Next, the software processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The CPU circuit 4 firstly determines a specific area, that is,
It is determined whether or not the fitting portion is present (step 1200). When the fitting portion is not the fitting portion, the image data A is read from the ROM 305 and transferred to the image synthesizing means 3. When it is determined that the fitting portion is the fitting portion, the external input means 6 is used. The acquired image data B is multiplied by a desired coefficient to adjust the amplitude and transferred to the image synthesizing means 3 (step 1201).
As a result, the image synthesizing unit 3 inserts the image B whose amplitude has been adjusted into the image A. This operation is performed until the specific area ends, and when the specific area ends (step 1202), the process returns to step 1200 and the image data A is transferred to the image synthesizing means 3.

In this embodiment, of course, the direct current level can be adjusted, and in that case, a predetermined value may be added to the image data B.

As described above, the brightness level of the fitting portion can be adjusted independently.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention, in which 106 is an external input means, 107 is an input terminal, and 202.
1 is a specific area luminance conversion means, and 405 is a ROM.
The same reference numerals are given to the portions corresponding to, and redundant description will be omitted.

The feature of this embodiment is that the external input means 106 is used.
Even if the image signal input to the signal has already been subjected to the fitting processing, the fitting portion can be detected and the brightness level of the fitting portion can be independently controlled. This processing is performed by the specific area luminance conversion means 202 in FIG. The other structure is the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 shows the specific area luminance converting means 202.
39 is a block diagram showing a specific example, 39 is a delay circuit, 40 is an image processing device, and 123 is an A / D converter, and the portions corresponding to those in FIG. Omit it.

In this drawing, in this concrete example, an image processing device 40 is provided in place of the timing generation circuit 21 in FIG. 3, and the changeover switch 15 is controlled by determining the fitting portion of the image B (FIG. 13). It is something that is done.

The determination processing performed by the image processing device 40 is a fitting portion (image B) as shown in FIG.
Frame detection, or a moving screen display as shown in FIG. 16, or a fitting part detection by a histogram as shown in FIG. 17, etc. Further, by combining these, detection accuracy can be improved. Can be further increased.

Based on the information obtained by detecting in this way, the timing signal Key as shown in the concrete example of FIG.
Is generated, and the changeover switch 15 is controlled by this.

The delay circuit 39 is used in the image processing device 40.
This is to offset the delay in.

As described above, even with an image signal in which an image has been previously fitted, the fitting position can be detected and only the brightness level of that portion can be changed independently.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the image display system and the image display apparatus according to the present invention, in which 50 is an image display means, 51 is an image signal output means and 5
2 is an interface, 103 is an image synthesizing means, 104
Is a CPU circuit, and the portions corresponding to those in FIG.

In the figure, this embodiment comprises an image display means 50 and an image signal output means 51,
The image display means 50 is integrated with the specific area luminance conversion means. The image signal output means 51 has substantially the same configuration as that in which the portion excluding the image display means 1 and the specific area luminance conversion means 2 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 13 is integrated. From the image signal output means 51, the image signal output from the image synthesis means 103 and the control signal passed through the interface 52 are supplied to the image display means 50.

As a concrete configuration of this embodiment, for example, the image signal output means 51 is a computer main body such as a personal computer or a workstation, and the image display means 50.
Is a monitor display device.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the image display means 50, in which 53 and 54 are input terminals and 1
01 is an image display element, 110 is an amplitude control means, 111 is a DC level control means, 112 is an adder, 113, 114
Is a variable power supply.

In the figure, the image display means 50 comprises an image display element 101 and a DC level control means 1 for the image signal.
11, image signal amplitude control means 110, and adder 11
2 and variable power supplies 113 and 114.

The amplitude of the image signal Video1 supplied from the image signal output means 51 of FIG. 18 to the input terminal 54 is controlled by the amplitude control means 110. The control voltage cont. Is supplied from the image signal output means 51 to the input terminal 54 at the portion where the image B is fitted on the screen of the image display element 101.
The ont. is added to the voltage of the variable power supply 113 by the adder 112 and is supplied to the amplitude control means 110. Image display device 10
The voltage of the variable power supply 113 is supplied to the amplitude control means 110 in the portion other than the fitting portion of the image B on the first screen. The amplitude control means 110 controls the amplitude of the image signal Video1 by the supply voltage.

The output image signal of the amplitude control means 110 is supplied to the DC level control means 111, and its DC level is set by the voltage of the variable power supply 114. The output image signal Video2 of the DC level control means 111 is supplied to the image display element 101 to display an image.

As described above, the brightness level of the fitting portion of the image B can be made variable depending on the voltage level of the control voltage cont. Supplied to the input terminal 54 and its supply timing.

FIG. 20 shows the relationship between the supply timing of the control voltage cont. And the voltage level separately for the horizontal scanning period and the vertical scanning period.

In the figure, the hatched portion of the image signal Video1 is the fitting portion of the image B. At this time,
The control voltage cont. Supplied to the input terminal 54 is the image signal Vid
The hatched portion of eo1 changes from 0 (V) to p (V). As a result, the amplitude of the level of the input image signal Video2 of the image display element 101 increases only in the fitting portion of the image B.

As a result, when the television image B is embedded and displayed in the text image A on the image display element 101, the television image looks bright and beautiful, but in other areas, there is no change in the brightness and it is easy to see the characters and figures. It remains at the brightness level.

As described above, it is possible to realize the image display device which controls only the brightness level of the fitting portion.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a concrete example of the image display means in the seventh embodiment of the image display system and the image display apparatus according to the present invention, in which 115 is a changeover switch, 116 is a variable power source, and 154. Is an input terminal, and FIG.
Portions corresponding to 9 are assigned the same reference numerals and overlapping description will be omitted.

The overall construction of this embodiment is similar to that shown in FIG. 18, but what is supplied from the interface 52 to the image display means 50 is the timing signal Key indicating the fitting position of the image B.

In FIG. 21, the timing signal Key indicating the fitting position of the image B is input from the input terminal 154, and the changeover switch 115 is closed to the variable power source 116 side.
As a result, the voltage of the variable power source 116 is added to the voltage of the variable power source 113 by the adder 112, and the added voltage controls the amplitude control means 110. Therefore, only the brightness level of the fitting portion is controlled as desired.

Here, the timing signal Key may be a binary digital signal, which simplifies the structure of the interface circuit 52 (FIG. 18) of the image signal output means 51.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a concrete example of the image display means of the eighth embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention, in which 55 is a timing generation circuit and 254 is an input terminal. , Parts corresponding to those in FIG. 21 are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

In this embodiment as well, the overall structure is similar to that shown in FIG. 18, but what is supplied from the interface 52 to the image display means 50 is data that encodes the fitting position of the image B ( (Insertion position data). As shown in FIG. 23, the fitting position data indicates the starting address and the ending address of the fitting position, the starting address of the fitting position and the horizontal and vertical widths of the fitting position, or the fitting position data. Some include the end address of the position and the horizontal and vertical width of the insertion position.

In FIG. 22, when the fitting position data is input from the input terminal 254, the timing generation circuit 5 together with the synchronizing signal of the image signal Video1 and the dot clock signal.
5, the timing signal Key of the fitting position of the image B similar to the timing signal Key of FIG. 21 is generated. With this timing signal Key, the changeover switch 11
5 is controlled. The other parts are the same as the specific example shown in FIG.

The timing generation circuit 55 basically has
For example, the configuration shown in FIG. 7 is used, and a specific example thereof is shown in FIG. However, 56 is a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) circuit, 57 is a microcomputer, 117d-1
17g is a data latch, 118d to 118g are address latches, 119a to 119d are counters, and 120a to 1
2c is an AND gate.

In FIG. 24, the fitting position data input from the input terminal 254 is decoded by the microcomputer 57, transferred to the data latches 117d to 117g and latched. The vertical timing start counter 119a and the vertical timing end counter 119b are connected to the vertical synchronization signal Vsy.
After being initialized by nc, data latches 117d and 117e
Data is preset. Horizontal timing start counter 119c and horizontal timing end counter 119d
Is initialized by the horizontal synchronizing signal Hsync, and then the data in the data latches 117f and 117g is preset. Then, the vertical timing start counter 119a and the vertical timing end counter 119b output the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync,
The horizontal timing start counter 119c and the horizontal timing end counter 119d PLL the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync.
The dot clock signals obtained by the multiplication by the circuit 56 are respectively used as counter clock signals. The AND outputs of the vertical timing start counter 119a and the vertical timing end counter 119b are ANDed by the AND gate 120a, and the count outputs of the horizontal timing start counter 119c and the horizontal timing end counter 119d are ANDed by the AND gate 120b. In addition, AND gate 1
The outputs of 20a and 120b are logically ANDed by the AND gate 120c to obtain the timing signal Key indicating the fitting position.

In this embodiment, the fitting position data input from the input terminal 254 is, for example, RS-232.
It is possible to use one having specifications that are often used in a computer such as a personal computer such as C or a workstation, and therefore, the interface circuit 52 (FIG. 18) of the image signal output means 51 can use a standard product, The cost can be reduced.

As described above, only the brightness level of the fitting portion can be controlled.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing a concrete example of the image display means in the ninth embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention. 155 is a timing generator circuit, 216 is a variable power source, 354 is an input terminal,
The parts corresponding to those in FIG. 22 are assigned the same reference numerals and overlapping description will be omitted.

In this embodiment as well, the overall structure is similar to that shown in FIG. 18, but what is supplied from the interface 52 to the image display means 50 is an instruction of the fitting position of the image B and its brightness level. Is coded data (insertion position / luminance level data). As shown in FIG. 26, the fitting position / luminance level data is obtained by adding the brightness level data to the fitting position data shown in FIG.

The timing generating circuit 155 is a circuit for generating a timing signal Key for controlling the changeover switch 115, and a luminance level data (FIG. 2).
6) according to 6). The circuit that controls the variable power supply 216 can have the same configuration as the circuit that controls the variable power supplies 13, 14, 16 in FIG. 3, for example.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing a concrete example of the image display means of the tenth embodiment of the image display system and the image display apparatus according to the present invention, in which 132 is a changeover switch and 133, 134 are variable power sources. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the portions corresponding to those in FIG. 21, and duplicate description will be omitted.

This embodiment also has the same overall structure as that shown in FIG. 18, but has a plurality of images B and C to be fitted.

In FIG. 27, variable power sources 133 and 134 are used.
Is for determining the amplitude at the fitting position of the images B and C on the screen of the image display element 101.
It is selected by the changeover switch 132 which is controlled by the timing signal Key inputted from the switch 54. The timing signal Key is, for example, a ternary signal. Other than this,
This is similar to the image display means shown in FIG.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing a concrete example of the image display means in the eleventh embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention, in which 212 is an adder, 3
Reference numeral 54 is an input terminal, and the portions corresponding to those in FIG.

In this embodiment, the overall structure is the same as that shown in FIG. 18, but the DC level of the image B to be fitted can also be controlled.

In FIG. 27, at the fitting position of the image B, the control voltage cont.1 is supplied from the input terminal 54, is added to the voltage of the variable voltage source 113 by the adder 112, and is supplied to the amplitude control means 110. Along with this, the input terminal 35
4, the control voltage cont.2 is supplied, and the adder 212 adds the control voltage cont.2 to the voltage of the variable voltage source 114 to obtain the DC level control means 1
11 is supplied. Thereby, the amplitude and DC level of the image B to be fitted can be controlled independently.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing a concrete example of the image display means in the twelfth embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention, and 70 is a control circuit, 2
22a and 222b are changeover switches, 223 is an A / D converter, 224 is an LUT, 225 is a D / A converter, 454 is an input terminal, and the portions corresponding to FIG. Is omitted.

The overall structure of this embodiment is similar to that shown in FIG. 18, but as in the specific example shown in FIG. 8, the brightness level of the image B to be embedded is controlled by LUT data conversion. It was done by.

In FIG. 29, under the control of the control circuit 70 to which data is supplied from the input terminal 454, the changeover switches 222a and 222b are closed to the B side at the fitting position of the image B, and are otherwise A. Close to the side. Changeover switch 2
When 22a and 222b are closed to the A side, the image signal Video.1 input from the input terminal 53 is directly supplied to the amplitude control means 110.
When 22b is closed to the B side, the A / D converter 22
After being converted into digital data in 3, the data is converted in the LUT 224 to a desired amplitude or direct current level,
The analog image signal is converted by the D / A converter 225 and supplied to the amplitude control means 110.

The data rewriting of the LUT 224 is performed based on the information input from the input terminal 454 via the control circuit 70.

FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the control circuit 70 in FIG. 29, in which 18k is an address counter, 157 is a microcomputer, and the portions corresponding to those in FIG.

In the figure, the changeover switch 22 of FIG.
2a and 222b are the parts that generate the switching control signals.
The configuration is the same as that shown in FIG. In this specific example, the data rewriting means of the LUT 224 is added to such a configuration.

That is, the microcomputer 157 uses the input terminal 454.
The insertion position is decoded on the basis of the data from, and the data to be rewritten by the LUT 224 and the address data indicating the rewriting position are output. This data is L
The address data is supplied to the UT 224 (FIG. 29) and is decoded by the address decoder 18k to generate an LU.
Supplied to T224.

It goes without saying that according to this embodiment, by using the LUT 224, not only the amplitude and DC level of the image signal but also the gamma characteristic and the hue can be changed.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the image display means in the thirteenth embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention, in which 153 is an input terminal,
201 is an image display element, 254 is an input terminal, 322a,
Reference numeral 322b is a changeover switch, reference numeral 323 is an A / D converter, and the portions corresponding to those in FIG.

The overall structure of this embodiment is similar to that shown in FIG. 18, and as in the specific example shown in FIG. 29, the brightness level of the image B to be fitted is controlled by data conversion by the LUT. However, the image display device receives a digital image signal as in a matrix type display such as a liquid crystal display or a plasma display.

In FIG. 31, the image display device 201 receives such a digital image signal.
The image signal Video.1 input from the input terminal 153 is A /
Digital conversion is performed by the D converter 323. Control circuit 70
Control, the changeover switches 322a and 322b are switched to the B side at the fitting position of the image B, and the digital image signal from the A / D converter 323 is changed to the LUT 224.
After the data is converted by, the brightness level is controlled, the data is supplied to the image display element 201, and in the time zone other than the image B, the changeover switches 322a and 322b are switched to the A side, and the A / D converter 323 The digital image signal of is directly supplied to the image display element 201.

According to this embodiment, the number of parts is small,
There is a merit that it can be cheap.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the image display means in the thirteenth embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention, in which 71 is an open / close switch, 72 is an integrator, and 73. Is a comparator, 74 is an LPF (low-pass filter), 75 is an open / close switch, 80 is a reference power supply, and 212 is an adder. To correspond to FIG. 21, the same reference numerals are given and duplicate description is omitted.

The overall structure of this embodiment is similar to that shown in FIG. 18, but the average brightness level of the image B in the fitting portion is kept constant. For example, in a cathode ray tube or the like, if the average brightness is too high and the beam current flows too much, the life of the cathode ray tube is affected, and such means is a necessary function. Further, even in the plasma display device, it is necessary to prevent abnormal heat generation.

In FIG. 32, the timing signal Key from the input terminal 154 closes the open / close switches 71 and 75 for the time zone of the image B, and the input image signal Video2 of the image display element 101 is supplied to the integrator 72 during this time zone. Then, the average level of the image signal Video2 during the period of the image B is detected.
This average level is compared with the reference voltage Es of the reference power source 80 by the comparator 73. This reference voltage Es is the image signal Vide
It is set equal to the maximum allowed value for the average level of o2.
The output of the comparator 73, that is, the comparison result, has the pulsating component removed by the LPF 74, and is further supplied to the adder 212 via the open / close switch 75, from the voltage of the variable power supply 116 supplied only during the period of the image B. The voltage from LPF 74 is subtracted. The output voltage of the adder 212 is the adder 11
The voltage is added to the voltage of the variable power source 113 at 2, and the amplitude control means 1 is added.
Supplied to 10.

With the above configuration, the image B to be fitted is subjected to the negative feedback control on its brightness level.

Therefore, for example, if the voltage of the variable power source 116 is set too high and the average brightness level of the embedded image B becomes higher than the reference voltage Es set in the reference power source 80, the negative feedback control described above is performed. The brightness control is applied only to the embedded image B.

Therefore, it is possible to control the brightness of only the embedded image B while keeping the brightness level of the image A portion constant, so that, for example, when the image A is a text screen and the image B is a TV screen, a bright and clean TV screen is displayed. The stable simultaneous display of an easy-to-read text screen with reduced brightness becomes possible. Furthermore, even if the brightness of the embedded image B is adjusted to be too high, the average brightness below a predetermined level Will be kept.

In the case of a cathode ray tube, as described above,
It goes without saying that negative feedback control may be performed by detecting the beam current from the anode instead of using the image signal as the detection target.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the image display means of the fifteenth embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention, in which 76 and 77 are amplifier power supplies, 78 is a changeover switch, 210 is amplitude control means, 21
Reference numeral 1 is a direct current level control means, and corresponding to FIG.

The overall structure of this embodiment is similar to that shown in FIG. 18, but as shown in FIG. 33, the amplitude control means 210 and the DC level control means are provided only during the display period of the image B of the fitting portion. The power supply voltage of 211 is increased and the image signal Vide
The amplitude width of o1 is secured. As a result, it is possible to eliminate a wasteful DC vice and reduce the loss, and it is possible to prevent the display set from becoming large due to an increase in heat capacity.

Here, the power supply voltage from the amplifier power supply 76>
The power supply voltage from the amplifier power supply 77 is used.

Next, the operation of this specific example will be described.

Timing signal Key from the input terminal 154
As a result, in the time zone of the image B, the changeover switch 78 is closed to the A side, and the power supply voltage is supplied from the amplifier power supply 76 to the amplitude control means 210 and the DC level control means 211. Outside the time zone of image B, the changeover switch 78 is closed to the B side,
A power supply voltage is supplied from the amplifier power supply 77 to the amplitude control means 210 and the DC level control means 211.

Thus, in the time zone of the image B, the input image signal Vi of the image display element 101 is applied with a high DC bias.
It is possible to secure the amplitude of deo2 and suppress the loss by using a low DC bias except in the time zone of the image B.

As described above, a practical display set capable of controlling the brightness of only the inlaid image B can be realized.

It is needless to say that the image display element 101 described above may be any display device such as a direct-view type cathode ray tube or a projection type cathode ray tube, a liquid crystal display or a plasma display. .

[0123]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the brightness of only the embedded image can be controlled, when a TV image such as a natural image is embedded in a computer image such as characters and figures, a bright and beautiful TV screen and a readable text screen with reduced brightness can be displayed simultaneously. It will be possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of an image display system and an image display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific example of a specific area luminance conversion unit in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing still another modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a specific example of a specific area luminance conversion unit in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a specific example of a specific area luminance conversion means in a second embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention.

10 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the image synthesizing circuit in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention.

12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a specific example of a specific area luminance conversion means in FIG.

15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method of detecting an embedded image by the image processing device 40 in FIG.

16 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a method of detecting an embedded image by the image processing device 40 in FIG.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing still another example of a method of detecting an inlaid image by the image processing device 40 in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a specific example of image display means in a sixth embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention.

19 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the image display means in FIG.

20 is a timing chart showing the operation of the specific example shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a specific example of an image display means in a seventh embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the image display means in the eighth embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a specific example of fitting position data used in the specific example shown in FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the timing generation circuit in FIG. 22.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing a specific example of image display means in a ninth embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a fitting position / used in the specific example shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the specific example of brightness level data.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the image display means in the tenth embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the image display means in the eleventh embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the image display means in the twelfth embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention.

30 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the control circuit in FIG. 29. FIG.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing a specific example of an image display means in a thirteenth embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing a specific example of an image display means in a fourteenth embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the image display means in the fifteenth embodiment of the image display system and the image display device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Image Display Means 2 Specific Area Luminance Converting Means 3 Image Composing Means 4 CPU Circuit 5 ROM Circuit 6 External Input Means 7 Image Signal Input Terminals 8 Signal Bus 10 Amplitude Control Means 11 DC Level Control Means 12 Adders 13, 14, 16 Variable power supply 15 Changeover switch 17a to 17g, 17i, 17j Data latch 18a to 18j Address decoder 19a to 19d Counter 20a to 20c AND gate 21, 21a, 21b Timing generation circuit 22a, 22b Changeover switch 23 A / D converter 24 Lookup Table 25 D / A converter 31 Data storage device 32 Changeover switch 33, 34 Variable power source 36 Image synthesizing means 37 Frame memory 38 Control circuit 40 Image processing device 50 Image display means 51 Image signal output means 55 Timing generation means 56 LL circuit 57 microcomputer 70 control circuit 71 opening and closing the switch 72 the integrator 73 comparator 74 LPF 75 off switch 76, 77 amplifier power

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Imai 810 Shimoimaizumi, Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture Office Systems Division, Hitachi Ltd. Hitachi Systems Division

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. An image display system comprising n (where n is an integer of 2 or more) images to be combined by combining and combining means and a display means for displaying the images combined and combined by the combining means. The control means for designating the timing of the fitting position of the maximum (n-1) image signals among the image signals fitted and synthesized by the means, and controlling the amplitude level and the DC level at the designated fitting position timing. An image display system characterized by being provided. 2. The image display system according to claim 1, wherein the control of the amplitude level and the DC level by the control means is performed by data conversion of digitally converted image signal data. 3. In an image display system for inputting and displaying an image signal in which n (where n is an integer of 2 or more) images are inserted and combined, the maximum (n-1) of the image signals combined and inserted is displayed. ) An image display system comprising detection control means for detecting the timings of the fitting positions for each of them and controlling the amplitude level and the DC level at the detected fitting position timings. 4. The image display system according to claim 3, wherein the detection control means has at least a frame detection function. 5. The image display system according to claim 3, wherein the detection control unit has at least a motion detection function. 6. Image display means, and amplitude adjustment means for controlling the amplitude level of an image signal input to the image display means,
An image display device comprising a direct current control means for controlling a direct current level of an image signal input to the image display means, wherein a means for controlling an amplitude level of an arbitrary image display area in the image display means is provided. Image display device. 7. An image display means, and an amplitude adjusting means for controlling an amplitude level of an image signal input to the image display means,
DC control means for controlling the DC level of the image signal input to the image display means, amplitude control power supply for supplying a control voltage to the amplitude control means, and DC control power supply for supplying a control voltage to the DC control means. In the image display device, the output of the amplitude control power supply and the output of the separate system power supply are added, and the addition output controls the amplitude control means. An image display device, characterized in that the amplitude level of a display region of an arbitrary image on the image display means is controlled according to the output of the separate system power supply. 8. An image display means, and an amplitude adjusting means for controlling an amplitude level of an image signal input to the image display means,
DC control means for controlling the DC level of the image signal input to the image display means, amplitude control power supply for supplying a control voltage to the amplitude control means, and DC control power supply for supplying a control voltage to the DC control means. Selecting means for selecting at least one of a plurality of power supplies in a system different from the power supply for amplitude control, an output of the power supply for amplitude control and an output of the power supply for another system selected by the selecting means. In an image display device comprising first adding means for adding and controlling the amplitude control means with the added output, a control signal for controlling the selecting means designates an arbitrary image display area to be displayed on the image display means. An image display device, wherein the amplitude level of the designated image display area is controlled according to at least one of the outputs of the plurality of different system power supplies. 9. Image display means, and amplitude adjustment means for controlling the amplitude level of an image signal input to the image display means,
A direct current control means for controlling a direct current level of an image signal input to the image display device; an amplitude control power supply for supplying a control voltage to the amplitude control means; and a direct current control power supply for supplying a control voltage to the direct current control means. Selecting means for selecting at least one of a plurality of power supplies in a system different from the power supply for amplitude control, an output of the power supply for amplitude control and an output of the power supply for another system selected by the selecting means. In an image display device comprising first adding means for adding and controlling the amplitude control means with the added output, and first timing generating means for switching control of the selecting means, input to the first timing generating means The control information is used to specify an arbitrary image display area in the image display means, and the amplitude level of the specified image display area is controlled according to at least one of the outputs of the plurality of different system power supplies. That Characteristic image display device. 10. The control information input to the first timing generation means according to claim 9,
A start position and an end position of a display area of an arbitrary image displayed on the image display means, or a start position and a horizontal section of the display area and a vertical section of the display area, or an end position and a horizontal section of the display area and the An image display device, which is a vertical section of a display area. 11. An image display means, an amplitude adjusting means for controlling an amplitude level of an image signal input to the image display means, and a DC control means for controlling a DC level of the image signal input to the image display means. At least one of an amplitude control power supply for supplying a control voltage to the amplitude control means, a DC control power supply for supplying a control voltage to the DC control means, and a plurality of power supplies in a system different from the amplitude control power supply. Selecting means for selecting, an output of the power supply for amplitude control and an output of the power supply for another system selected by the selecting means, and first adding means for controlling the amplitude control circuit with the added output, In an image display device comprising a switching control of a selection means and a second timing generation means for controlling a voltage of the separate system power supply, control information inputted to the second timing generation means is used to select an arbitrary value in the image display means. Picture The image display apparatus characterized by specifying the display area, controls the amplitude level of the specified the image display area in accordance with the control information. 12. The control information input to the second timing generation means according to claim 11,
The start position and the end position and the brightness level of the display area of any image displayed on the image display means, or the start position and the horizontal section of the display area and the vertical section and the brightness level of the display area, or the end position and the display An image display device comprising: a horizontal section of a region and a vertical section of the display region and a brightness level. 13. An image display means, an amplitude adjusting means for controlling an amplitude level of an image signal input to the image display means, and a DC control means for controlling a DC level of an image signal input to the image display means. Amplitude control power supply for supplying a control voltage to the amplitude control means, a direct current control power supply for supplying a control voltage to the direct current control means, and a selection for selecting outputs of a plurality of power supplies different from the amplitude control power supply. And an output of the amplitude controlling power source and an output of the separate system power source selected by the selecting means, and a first adding means for controlling the amplitude controlling means with the added output. In the image display device, the amplitude level of a plurality of arbitrary image display areas in the image display means is controlled according to a control signal for controlling the selection means. 14. An image display means, an amplitude adjusting means for controlling an amplitude level of an image signal input to the image display means, and a DC control means for controlling a DC level of the image signal input to the image display means. An amplitude control power supply for supplying a control voltage to the amplitude control means, a DC control power supply for supplying a control voltage to the DC control means, an output of the amplitude control power supply, and an output of a power supply of a system different from this are added. Then, the first addition means for controlling the amplitude control means by the addition output, the output of the DC control power supply and the output of the power supply system separate from this are added, and the DC output means is controlled by the addition output. In an image display device comprising a second adding means, an amplitude level of an arbitrary image display area in the image displaying means is controlled according to an output of the separate system power supply input to the first adding means, Input to the second adding means The image display apparatus characterized by controlling the DC level of the arbitrary image display area in response to the output of another system power supply. 15. An image display means, an AD conversion means for converting an analog image signal into a digital image signal, and the AD.
A look-up table for converting the output of the converting means into data, a DA converting means for converting a digital image signal into an analog image signal, an amplitude adjusting means for controlling the amplitude level of the image signal, and a direct current for controlling the DC level of the image signal. Whether the control means and the output of the AD conversion means are input to the lookup table and the output of the lookup table is supplied to the DA conversion means, or the output of the AD conversion means is directly supplied to the DA conversion means. In an image display device comprising switching means for switching the switching means and control means for controlling the switching of the switching means and rewriting the data of the look-up table, an arbitrary image on the image display means is controlled by control information input to the control means. Designating a display area and controlling the amplitude level and / or the direct current level of the designated image display area An image display device characterized by. 16. An AD conversion means for converting an analog image signal into a digital image signal, a look-up table for data conversion of an output of the AD conversion means, an image display means driven by a digital image signal, and the AD conversion means. Output to the look-up table and supplies the look-up table output to the image display means, or the output of the AD conversion means as it is to the image display means; In an image display device comprising switching control of means and control means for rewriting data of the look-up table, control information input to the control means designates an arbitrary image display area in the image display means, and is designated. An image display device characterized by controlling an amplitude level or a direct current level of the image display area or both of them. 17. An image display means, an amplitude adjusting means for controlling an amplitude level of an image signal input to the image display means, and a direct current control means for controlling a direct current level of the image signal input to the image display means. In the image display device, the negative feedback control is performed so that the average amplitude level or the average direct current level of the image display area in the image display means or both of them does not exceed an arbitrary fixed value. . 18. An image display means, an amplitude adjusting means for controlling an amplitude level of an image signal input to the image display means, and a direct current control means for controlling a direct current level of the image signal input to the image display means. When controlling the amplitude level and / or the direct current level of an arbitrary image display area in the image display means, the power supply voltage applied to the amplitude adjusting means or the direct current control means or both is varied. An image display device characterized by: