WO2014034311A1 - Display device and method for controlling same - Google Patents

Display device and method for controlling same Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014034311A1
WO2014034311A1 PCT/JP2013/069467 JP2013069467W WO2014034311A1 WO 2014034311 A1 WO2014034311 A1 WO 2014034311A1 JP 2013069467 W JP2013069467 W JP 2013069467W WO 2014034311 A1 WO2014034311 A1 WO 2014034311A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
viewer
unit
screen
viewing distance
display device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2013/069467
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
暎 冨吉
Original Assignee
シャープ株式会社
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of WO2014034311A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014034311A1/en

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G5/00—Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators
    • G09G5/10—Intensity circuits
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G3/00—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
    • G09G3/20—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters
    • G09G3/34—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters by control of light from an independent source
    • G09G3/3406—Control of illumination source
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G5/00—Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/66—Transforming electric information into light information
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00—Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/10—Controlling the light source
    • H05B47/105—Controlling the light source in response to determined parameters
    • H05B47/115—Controlling the light source in response to determined parameters by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
    • H05B47/125—Controlling the light source in response to determined parameters by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings by using cameras
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/1335—Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. polarisers or reflectors
    • G02F1/1336—Illuminating devices
    • G02F1/133602—Direct backlight
    • G02F1/133603—Direct backlight with LEDs
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G2320/00—Control of display operating conditions
    • G09G2320/02—Improving the quality of display appearance
    • G09G2320/028—Improving the quality of display appearance by changing the viewing angle properties, e.g. widening the viewing angle, adapting the viewing angle to the view direction
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G2320/00—Control of display operating conditions
    • G09G2320/06—Adjustment of display parameters
    • G09G2320/0626—Adjustment of display parameters for control of overall brightness
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G2340/00—Aspects of display data processing
    • G09G2340/14—Solving problems related to the presentation of information to be displayed
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G2354/00—Aspects of interface with display user
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B20/00—Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps
    • Y02B20/40—Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a display device and a control method thereof.
  • the liquid crystal panel that displays an image requires an illumination unit on the opposite side of the display surface of the liquid crystal panel, that is, on the back side.
  • the illumination unit emits light toward a liquid crystal panel (display unit) which is an object to be irradiated, so that the liquid crystal display device can display an image on the screen.
  • positioned on the back side of the display surface of a liquid crystal panel is called the backlight unit, for example.
  • Patent Document 1 A conventional display device including a backlight unit as an illumination unit is disclosed in Patent Document 1.
  • This conventional display device captures the front of the display unit with a camera, and when a face image cannot be detected, determines that a person is not looking at the display unit and turns off the display unit or backlight. It has. Thus, even when a person is present in front of the display device, it can be determined that the person is not looking at the display unit, so that the power consumption of the display device can be reduced.
  • Japanese Patent Publication Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-242733
  • Patent Document 1 does not give consideration to adjusting the brightness of the screen in accordance with the viewing distance between the screen and the viewer.
  • a touch panel is provided on the screen of the display device or operation buttons are provided around the screen, the viewer feels very dazzled by approaching the screen for those operations, There has been a problem that there is a risk of physical problems such as eye fatigue.
  • the present invention has been made in view of the above points, and can automatically adjust the screen brightness according to the viewing distance of the viewer of the display device, and occurs when the viewer approaches the screen. It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device capable of preventing the occurrence of a failure and a control method thereof.
  • a display device of the present invention includes a display unit that displays an image on a screen, An illumination unit that irradiates the display unit with planar light, a viewer identification unit that identifies information about a viewer existing in front of the screen, and a viewer that is identified by the viewer identification unit A viewing distance estimation unit that estimates a viewing distance between the screen and the viewer based on information; and the brightness of the screen when the viewing distance estimated by the viewing distance estimation unit is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. And a screen adjustment unit that lowers the brightness of the conventional screen.
  • the display device identifies the viewer existing in front of the screen, and estimates the viewing distance between the screen and the viewer.
  • the display device reduces the brightness of the screen from the previous brightness when the viewing distance is equal to or less than the predetermined distance. That is, the display device automatically adjusts the screen brightness in accordance with the viewing distance of the viewer.
  • predetermined distance is an arbitrary distance related to the viewing distance set in advance for switching the brightness of the screen, and may be arbitrarily set according to the size of the screen, for example.
  • the screen adjustment unit controls the illumination unit when the viewing distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, thereby reducing the luminance of the planar light from the conventional luminance. It is characterized by comprising an illumination control unit that reduces the brightness.
  • the display device reduces the brightness of the screen by reducing the brightness of the planar light of the illumination unit from the previous brightness. In this way, the display device automatically adjusts the screen brightness in accordance with the viewing distance of the viewer.
  • the screen adjustment unit controls the display unit when the viewing distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance to reduce the brightness of the image itself from the previous brightness, thereby increasing the brightness of the screen. It is characterized by comprising a display control unit for reducing the height.
  • the display device reduces the brightness of the screen by lowering the brightness of the image of the display unit from the previous brightness. In this way, the display device automatically adjusts the screen brightness in accordance with the viewing distance of the viewer.
  • the viewer identification unit is directed to the front of the screen to capture an image of the viewer, and from the image captured by the imaging unit, the viewer's body
  • a viewer part detecting unit for detecting a part wherein the viewing distance estimating unit estimates the viewing distance based on a size of a part of the body of the viewer detected by the viewer part detecting unit. It is said.
  • the display device identifies information related to the viewer existing in front of the screen by detecting the body part of the viewer from the image captured by the imaging unit. Then, the display device estimates the viewing distance based on the detected size of the body part of the viewer.
  • the viewer part detection unit detects left and right eyes of the viewer and an interval between the viewers
  • the viewing distance estimation unit detects the viewer left and right of the viewer detected by the viewer part detection unit. The viewing distance is estimated based on the interval between the eyes.
  • the display device estimates the viewing distance based on the distance between the left and right eyes of the viewer. In this way, the display device estimates the viewing distance based on the detected size of the body part of the viewer.
  • the viewer identification unit includes a viewer presence / absence detection unit that detects presence / absence of the viewer in front of the screen, and the viewing distance estimation unit is detected by the viewer presence / absence detection unit. The viewing distance is estimated based on the viewer's positional information.
  • the display device identifies information related to a viewer existing in front of the screen using a viewer presence / absence detection unit such as a human sensor. Then, the display device estimates the viewing distance based on the detected position information of the viewer.
  • the viewer presence / absence detecting unit includes a capacitive touch panel.
  • the display device when the display device includes a touch panel on the screen, the display device identifies information relating to the viewer existing in front of the screen using the touch panel. Therefore, the display device more easily estimates the viewing distance using the touch panel.
  • the present invention provides a control method for a display device that displays an image on a screen of the display unit by irradiating the display unit with planar light from the illumination unit.
  • a viewer identification step for identifying information related to a viewer existing in front of the screen;
  • a viewing distance estimation step for estimating a viewing distance between the screen and the viewer based on the information related to the viewer;
  • a screen adjustment step of reducing the brightness of the screen from the previous brightness when the viewing distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance.
  • the display device identifies the viewer existing in front of the screen, and estimates the viewing distance between the screen and the viewer.
  • the display device reduces the brightness of the screen from the previous brightness when the viewing distance is equal to or less than the predetermined distance. That is, the display device automatically adjusts the screen brightness in accordance with the viewing distance of the viewer.
  • the viewer identification step includes an imaging step for capturing an image of the viewer, and a viewing for detecting a part of the viewer's body from the image captured at the imaging step.
  • a viewer part detecting step wherein the viewing distance estimating step estimates the viewing distance based on the size of the body part of the viewer detected in the viewer part detecting step.
  • the display device identifies information related to the viewer existing in front of the screen by detecting the body part of the viewer from the image captured by the imaging unit. Then, the display device estimates the viewing distance based on the detected size of the body part of the viewer.
  • the viewer identification step includes a viewer presence / absence detection step for detecting presence / absence of the viewer in front of the screen
  • the viewing distance estimation step includes the viewer presence / absence detection step. The viewing distance is estimated based on the position information of the viewer detected in the step.
  • the display device identifies information related to the viewer existing in front of the screen using a viewer presence / absence detector such as a human sensor. Then, the display device estimates the viewing distance based on the detected position information of the viewer.
  • the brightness of the screen can be automatically adjusted according to the viewing distance of the viewer of the display device, and the occurrence of a failure that may occur when the viewer approaches the screen is prevented. It is possible to provide a display device and a control method thereof.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which concerns on estimation of viewing distance of the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows change control of the screen brightness of the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which concerns on the change of the screen brightness of the display apparatus of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which concerns on estimation of viewing distance of the display apparatus of 3rd Embodiment of this invention.
  • liquid crystal display device will be described as an example of the display device of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a liquid crystal display device.
  • the upper side of FIG. 1 is the display surface side of the liquid crystal panel mentioned later, and the lower side is the back surface side of a liquid crystal panel.
  • the liquid crystal display device 1 is a display device using liquid crystal for displaying images, and has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view extending longer in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display device 1 includes a liquid crystal panel 10 as a display unit and a backlight unit 20 as an illumination unit. The liquid crystal panel 10 and the backlight unit 20 are housed and supported in the case 2.
  • the liquid crystal panel 10 includes an active matrix substrate 11, a color filter substrate 12, and a deflection plate 13.
  • the color filter substrate 12 may be simply called a counter substrate.
  • the active matrix substrate 11 is disposed to face the color filter substrate 12 disposed on the display surface side of the liquid crystal panel 10.
  • the active matrix substrate 11 includes a switching element, a pixel electrode, and a common electrode made of TFT (Thin Film Transistor) (not shown) on a predetermined surface.
  • the pixel electrode and the common electrode are composed of, for example, a pair of comb-shaped electrodes.
  • each of the active matrix substrate 11 and the color filter substrate 12 is covered with an alignment film (not shown) capable of aligning liquid crystals in a specific direction.
  • the active matrix substrate 11 and the color filter substrate 12 are bonded together with a seal material (not shown) so that their predetermined surfaces face each other. Further, the liquid crystal is sandwiched between the active matrix substrate 11 and the color filter substrate 12 and sealed in a space surrounded by a sealing material.
  • the deflection plate 13 is affixed to each of the surfaces opposite to the predetermined surfaces of the active matrix substrate 11 and the color filter substrate 12 enclosing the liquid crystal.
  • the deflection plate 13 is a sheet that transmits only a light wave in a specific vibration direction, and is attached to each of the two deflection plates 13 in a state where the transmission axis directions of the two deflection plates 13 are shifted from each other by about 90 °.
  • the liquid crystal panel 10 having such a configuration adjusts the orientation of the liquid crystal by an electric field generated between the pixel electrode and the common electrode of the active matrix substrate 11 based on the image signal, and adjusts the transmittance of light transmitted through the liquid crystal layer. change.
  • the liquid crystal panel 10 employs, for example, the above-described lateral electric field method, and generates an electric field in parallel to the main surface of the active matrix substrate 11 so that liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a plane parallel to the main surface of the substrate. Rotate with
  • the backlight unit 20 is a device for generating backlight light (planar light) to be irradiated to the liquid crystal panel 10, and is an illumination unit adopting, for example, a direct type as an illumination method.
  • the backlight unit 20 is disposed on the back side of the liquid crystal panel 10 (downward in FIG. 1).
  • the backlight unit 20 includes an LED module 21, a diffusion plate 22, a prism sheet 23, and a lens sheet 24.
  • the LED module 21 is a device that emits light for generating backlight light, and is disposed below (on the back side of) the liquid crystal panel 10 in FIG.
  • the LED module 21 includes a plate-like substrate 25 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and a plurality of LEDs 26 as light sources.
  • the LED 26 is composed of, for example, a white LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits white light, and a plurality of LEDs 26 are arranged in a substantially grid pattern on one surface of the substrate 25.
  • the surface of the substrate 25 is divided into a plurality of areas 25a arranged vertically and horizontally, and is configured such that at least one LED 26 is included in one area 25a.
  • the light source is not limited to LEDs, and the LEDs themselves are not limited to those that emit white light.
  • the LED 26 may be configured as an LED unit in which LED chips that emit light having wavelengths of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) are gathered. Furthermore, you may add the LED chip which radiate
  • the diffusion plate 22, the prism sheet 23, and the lens sheet 24 are arranged to face the LED module 21 above the LED module 21 in FIG. 1 so as to cover the LED module 21 from the liquid crystal panel 10 side.
  • the diffuser plate 22 is disposed closest to the LED module 21 and directly receives light emitted from the LED module 21.
  • the diffusing plate 22 is disposed such that the irradiated surface of the light irradiated from the LED module 21 faces the surface of the substrate 25 where the LED 26 is disposed in substantially parallel.
  • the diffusion plate 22 receives and diffuses the light emitted from the LED 26 and spreads the light over the entire area of the liquid crystal panel 10.
  • the prism sheet 23 is provided so as to overlap the liquid crystal panel 10 side of the diffusion plate 22.
  • the prism sheets 23 are arranged in a direction in which, for example, triangular prisms extending linearly in one direction intersect in one direction within the sheet surface.
  • the prism sheet 23 deflects the radiation characteristic of light from the diffusion plate 22.
  • the lens sheet 24 is provided to overlap the prism sheet 23 on the liquid crystal panel 10 side.
  • fine particles that refract and scatter light are dispersed inside.
  • the lens sheet 24 suppresses the difference in brightness that causes unevenness in the amount of light without locally condensing from the prism sheet 23.
  • the backlight unit 20 having such a configuration illuminates the back surface of the liquid crystal panel 10 by irradiating a substantially uniform backlight light in which unevenness is suppressed in a planar shape. Since the liquid crystal panel 10 changes the transmittance of the backlight that transmits the liquid crystal based on the image signal, a desired image is displayed on the screen 10a of the liquid crystal panel 10.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the liquid crystal display device 1
  • FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram relating to estimation of the viewing distance of the liquid crystal display device 1.
  • the liquid crystal display device 1 includes, as control components, an image signal acquisition unit 3, an image signal processing unit 30, a liquid crystal panel control unit 4 that is a display control unit, a liquid crystal driver 5, and an LED control that is an illumination control unit.
  • the unit 6 and the LED driver 7 are provided.
  • the image signal acquisition unit 3 includes an external input interface that acquires an image signal transmitted by an image signal output unit (not shown).
  • the image signal acquisition unit 3 transmits the acquired image signal to the image signal processing unit 30.
  • the image signal is processed by the image signal processing unit 30 and then the LCD signal for specifying the display image transmitted to the liquid crystal panel control unit 4 and the luminance of the planar light transmitted to the LED control unit 6 are displayed.
  • the image signal processing unit 30 receives an image signal from the image signal acquisition unit 3. Based on the received image signal, the image signal processing unit 30 sets an LCD signal for specifying a display image by setting the light transmittance of each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 10 and the light emission luminance of each LED 26 of the backlight unit 20. And an LED signal for specifying the brightness of the entire planar light. Then, the image signal processing unit 30 transmits the LCD signal to the liquid crystal panel control unit 4 and transmits the LED signal to the LED control unit 6. The other detailed configuration of the image signal processing unit 30 will be described later.
  • the liquid crystal panel control unit 4 receives the LCD signal from the image signal processing unit 30.
  • the liquid crystal panel control unit 4 generates an LCD control signal for driving the liquid crystal driver 5 based on the received LCD signal, and transmits the LCD control signal to the liquid crystal driver 5.
  • the liquid crystal driver 5 switches the state of the switching element of each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 10 based on the LCD control signal received from the liquid crystal panel control unit 4.
  • the LED control unit 6 receives an LED signal from the image signal processing unit 30.
  • the LED control unit 6 generates an LED control signal (including a PWM control signal) for driving the LED driver 7 based on the received LED signal, and transmits the LED control signal to the LED driver 7.
  • the LED driver 7 performs light emission control (PWM control) of each LED 26 of the backlight unit 20 based on the LED control signal received from the LED control unit 6.
  • the liquid crystal display device 1 reduces the brightness of the screen 10a from the previous brightness when the viewing distance between the screen 10a of the liquid crystal panel 10 and the viewer is equal to or less than a predetermined distance.
  • the liquid crystal display device 1 includes a viewer identification unit 40, a viewing distance estimation unit 31, and a screen adjustment unit 50 as shown in FIG.
  • the viewer identification unit 40 includes a camera 41 that is an imaging unit and a face detection unit 42 that is a viewer part detection unit.
  • the liquid crystal panel control unit 4 that is the above-described display control unit or the LED control unit 6 that is the illumination control unit functions as the screen adjustment unit 50.
  • the face detection unit 42 and the viewing distance estimation unit 31 are provided in the image signal processing unit 30, but they may be configured separately from the image signal processing unit 30.
  • the camera 41 is arranged facing the front of the screen 10a of the liquid crystal panel 10 and shoots an image of the viewer.
  • the camera 41 transmits the captured image data of the viewer to the face detection unit 42.
  • the face detection unit 42 detects the information of the face part from the image data of the viewer taken by the camera 41 like a region At surrounded by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Then, the face detection unit 42 transmits information on the detected face portion of the viewer to the viewing distance estimation unit 31.
  • the viewing distance estimation unit 31 estimates the viewing distance based on the size of the individual face portion of the viewer detected by the face detection unit 42.
  • a memory (not shown) stores in advance information relating to the face portion area As (area surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 3) when the viewing distance is a predetermined distance.
  • the viewing distance estimation unit 31 compares the size of the face portion area As when the viewing distance stored in advance in the memory is a predetermined distance with the size of the viewer face portion area At photographed by the camera 41. It is determined whether the distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance.
  • the liquid crystal panel control unit 4 or the LED control unit 6 that functions as the screen adjustment unit 50 reduces the brightness of the screen 10a from the previous brightness when the viewing distance estimated by the viewing distance estimation unit 31 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance.
  • the LED control unit 6 controls the backlight unit 20 to reduce the brightness of the screen 10a by reducing the brightness of the planar light from the previous brightness. A method of controlling the brightness of the screen 10a using the liquid crystal panel control unit 4 will be described in a later embodiment.
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing control for changing the screen brightness of the liquid crystal display device 1.
  • the liquid crystal display device 1 controls the image signal processing unit 30, the liquid crystal panel 10, and the backlight unit 20 to acquire the image acquired by the image signal acquisition unit 3. Is displayed on the screen 10a, and photographing of the viewer's image is started using the camera 41 (step # 101 in FIG. 4).
  • the liquid crystal display device 1 detects the information of the face portion from the image data of the viewer photographed by the camera 41 using the face detection unit 42 (step # 102). Subsequently, the viewing distance estimation unit 31 estimates the viewing distance based on the size of the individual face portion of the viewer detected by the face detection unit 42 (step # 103).
  • the viewing distance estimation unit 31 determines whether or not the viewing distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance (step # 104). When the viewing distance is not less than the predetermined distance (No in Step # 104), the brightness of the screen 10a is set as usual (Step # 105). Then, the process returns to step # 101, and the photographing of the viewer's image using the camera 41 is continued.
  • step # 104 when the viewing distance is equal to or smaller than the predetermined distance (Yes in step # 104), the LED control unit 6 controls the backlight unit 20 to reduce the brightness of the planar light from the previous brightness, thereby causing the screen 10a to be displayed. The brightness is lowered than usual (step # 106). Then, the process returns to step # 101, and the photographing of the viewer's image using the camera 41 is continued.
  • the liquid crystal display device 1 includes the viewer identification unit 40 that identifies information related to the viewer existing in front of the screen 10a, and the screen 10a and the viewer based on the information related to the viewer.
  • a viewing distance estimation unit 31 that estimates the viewing distance
  • a screen adjustment unit 50 that reduces the brightness of the screen 10a from the previous brightness when the viewing distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance.
  • the liquid crystal display device 1 identifies the viewer existing in front of the screen 10a, and estimates the viewing distance between the screen 10a and the viewer. Then, the liquid crystal display device 1 lowers the brightness of the screen 10a from the previous brightness when the viewing distance is equal to or less than the predetermined distance. That is, the liquid crystal display device 1 can automatically adjust the brightness of the screen 10a in accordance with the viewing distance of the viewer.
  • the screen adjustment unit 50 controls the backlight unit 20 when the viewing distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance to reduce the brightness of the screen 10a by reducing the brightness of the planar light from the previous brightness. It consists of six. Therefore, the liquid crystal display device 1 can automatically adjust the brightness of the screen 10a in accordance with the viewing distance of the viewer by reducing the brightness of the planar light of the backlight unit 20 from the previous brightness. .
  • the viewer identification unit 40 is directed to the front of the screen 10a to capture a viewer's image, and a face detection unit that detects a face part that is a part of the viewer's body from the image captured by the camera 41. 42.
  • the viewing distance estimation unit 31 estimates the viewing distance based on the size of the face part of the viewer detected by the face detection unit 42. Therefore, the liquid crystal display device 1 can easily estimate the viewing distance based on the viewer's image taken by the camera 41, and can automatically adjust the brightness of the screen 10a according to the viewing distance. Is possible.
  • the brightness of the screen 10a can be automatically adjusted according to the viewing distance of the viewer of the liquid crystal display device 1, and the viewer approaches the screen 10a. Therefore, it is possible to provide the liquid crystal display device 1 and its control method capable of preventing the occurrence of a failure that may occur.
  • FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram relating to a change in screen brightness of the liquid crystal display device. Since the basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as before. The description of the drawings and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.
  • the liquid crystal panel control unit 4 functioning as the screen adjustment unit 50 controls the liquid crystal panel 10 when the viewing distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, thereby reducing the luminance of the image itself.
  • the brightness of the screen 10a is lowered.
  • the relationship between the input gradation to the liquid crystal panel 10 and the brightness of the image itself is depicted by a curve in FIG.
  • a curve in FIG. For example, as in the case of the luminance of 1.0 in FIG. 5, normally up to 255 gradations with respect to the input of the white screen (red, green and blue color intensity, red: 255, green: 255, blue: 255). Use to display.
  • the liquid crystal panel control unit 4 uses the liquid crystal panel 10 up to 186 gradations in which the luminance is about 0.5, as shown by a broken line in FIG. Display an image.
  • the liquid crystal display device 1 reduces the brightness of the screen 10a by reducing the brightness of the image itself of the liquid crystal panel 10 from the previous brightness. Therefore, the liquid crystal display device 1 can automatically adjust the brightness of the screen 10a according to the viewing distance of the viewer by using the liquid crystal panel control unit 4 and the liquid crystal panel 10.
  • FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram relating to the estimation of the viewing distance of the liquid crystal display device. Since the basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as before. The description of the drawings and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.
  • the face detection unit 42 which is a viewer part detection unit, detects the left and right eyes of the viewer and the distance Dt between them. Then, the viewing distance estimation unit 31 estimates the viewing distance based on the distance Dt between the left and right eyes of the viewer detected by the face detection unit 42.
  • a memory (not shown), information related to the distance Ds between the left and right eyes of the viewer when the viewing distance is a predetermined distance (interval between arrows on the left side in FIG. 6) is stored in advance.
  • the viewing distance estimation unit 31 compares the distance Ds between the left and right eyes when the viewing distance stored in advance in the memory is a predetermined distance and the distance Dt between the left and right eyes of the viewer photographed by the camera 41 to determine the viewing distance. It is determined whether or not the distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance.
  • the liquid crystal display device 1 can easily estimate the viewing distance from the viewer's image taken by the camera 41 based on the size of the part of the viewer's body. Therefore, it is possible to automatically adjust the brightness of the screen 10a in accordance with the viewing distance.
  • FIGS. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the liquid crystal display device
  • FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram relating to estimation of the viewing distance of the liquid crystal display device
  • FIG. 9 is a table showing the detection mode of the touch panel of the liquid crystal display device
  • FIG. It is a flowchart which shows change control of the screen brightness of. Since the basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first to third embodiments described above, the same components as those of the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the previous drawings. Description and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
  • the liquid crystal display device 1 includes a touch panel 61 and a touch panel signal processing unit 62 as shown in FIG.
  • the touch panel 61 is an electrostatic capacity type, and is arranged on the screen 10a of the liquid crystal panel 10 as drawn by a broken line in FIG.
  • the liquid crystal panel 10 can display items such as inputs, settings, and instructions on the screen 10a using liquid crystal. Selection of the items and keys displayed on the screen 10a when the viewer touches the touch panel 61 with a finger or the like. Accepts input.
  • the touch panel signal processing unit 62 detects contact of the user's finger or the like with respect to the touch panel 61. Information obtained by the touch panel signal processing unit 62 from the touch panel 61, that is, information on key input by the viewer to the touch panel 61 is transmitted to a main control unit (not shown).
  • the liquid crystal display device 1 uses a touch panel 61 that functions as a viewer presence / absence detection unit that detects the presence / absence of a viewer in front of the screen 10a in the viewer identification unit 40. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9, the liquid crystal display device 1 uses the touch panel 61 in two modes: a first mode for detecting the presence of a viewer and a second mode for detecting the coordinates of a normal approaching finger. Make it work.
  • the touch panel 61 increases the sensing gain so that it can sense the change in capacity sensitively and detects the approach of the viewer.
  • the sensing frequency is made smaller than usual, and the sensing area is made narrower than usual.
  • the sensing frequency is set to 10 Hz or the like in the first mode, for example, while the normal second mode is 100 Hz or the like.
  • the sensing area is set to a partial area 61a on the lower side in the first mode, while the normal second mode is the entire screen 10a.
  • the viewing distance estimation unit 63 estimates the viewing distance based on the viewer position information detected by the touch panel 61.
  • the liquid crystal display device 1 When driving of the liquid crystal display device 1 is started (start of FIG. 10), the liquid crystal display device 1 sets the brightness of the screen 10a as usual and displays the image acquired by the image signal acquisition unit 3 on the screen 10a. At the same time, the touch panel 61 is operated in the first mode to start the viewer detection (step # 201 in FIG. 10).
  • the viewing distance estimation unit 63 estimates the viewing distance based on the position information of the viewer detected by the touch panel 61. (Step # 202).
  • the viewing distance estimation unit 63 determines whether or not the viewing distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance (step # 203). If the viewing distance is not less than the predetermined distance (No in Step # 203), the process returns to Step # 201, and the touch panel 61 is continuously operated in the first mode to continue detecting the viewer.
  • the liquid crystal panel control unit 4 or the LED control unit 6 functioning as the screen adjustment unit 50 lowers the brightness of the screen 10a from the normal level, and touches the touch panel. 61 is operated in the second mode to detect the coordinates of the finger of the viewer (step # 204). Until the touch panel 61 is not operated for a predetermined time set in advance, the brightness of the screen 10a is decreased from the normal level and the state in which the touch panel 61 is operated in the second mode is continued (No in step # 205).
  • Step # 205 If the touch panel 61 is not operated for a predetermined time (Yes in Step # 205), the touch panel 61 is operated in the first mode while the brightness of the screen 10a is lowered than usual, and the viewer's Detection is started (step # 206). Then, returning to step # 202, the viewing distance estimation unit 63 estimates the viewing distance based on the position information of the viewer detected by the touch panel 61.
  • the viewer identification unit 40 includes the touch panel 61 that detects the presence or absence of a viewer in front of the screen 10a, and the viewing distance estimation unit 63 determines the viewing distance based on the viewer position information detected by the touch panel 61.
  • the liquid crystal display device 1 can identify information relating to a viewer existing in front of the screen 10a using the touch panel 61 functioning as a human sensor. Therefore, the liquid crystal display device 1 can more easily estimate the viewing distance using the touch panel 61.
  • the face detection unit 42 that detects the face part is used as the viewer part detection unit that detects the part of the viewer's body from the image captured by the camera 41.
  • the part is not limited to the face, but may be another part.
  • the touch panel 61 is used as the viewer presence / absence detection unit that detects the presence / absence of the viewer in front of the screen 10a.
  • the viewer presence / absence detection unit is not limited to the touch panel.
  • the viewer presence / absence detection unit may detect the presence / absence of the viewer using a sensor or a detector of another method such as an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor.
  • the present invention can be used in a display device and its control method.
  • Liquid crystal display device (display device) 4 LCD panel controller (display controller) 6 LED controller (lighting controller) 10 Liquid crystal panel (display unit) 10a Screen 20 Backlight unit (lighting unit) 30 Image signal processing unit 31, 63 Viewing distance estimation unit 40 Viewer identification unit 41 Camera (imaging unit) 42 Face detection unit (viewer part detection unit) 50 Screen adjustment unit 61 Touch panel (viewer presence / absence detection unit) 62 Touch panel signal processor

Abstract

The present invention provides a display device in which the brightness of the screen can be automatically adjusted in response to the viewing distance of the viewer and impediments that may occur when the viewer comes near the screen can be prevented. A liquid crystal display device (1), provided with: a liquid crystal panel (10) for displaying an image on a screen (10a); a backlight unit (20) for emitting planar light towards the liquid crystal panel (10); a viewer identification unit (40) for identifying information relating to a viewer present in front of the screen (10a); a viewing-distance-estimating unit (31) for estimating the viewing distance between the screen (10a) and the viewer on the basis of information relating to the viewer identified by the viewer identification unit (40); and a screen adjustment unit (50) for bringing the brightness of the screen (10a) lower than the prior brightness if the viewing distance estimated by the viewing distance estimation unit (31) is equal to or less than a predetermined distance.

Description

表示装置及びその制御方法Display device and control method thereof
　本発明は表示装置及びその制御方法に関する。 The present invention relates to a display device and a control method thereof.
　代表的な表示装置である液晶表示装置は一般的に画像を表示する液晶パネル自体が発光しないので、液晶パネルの表示面の反対側、すなわち裏側に照明部を必要としている。この照明部が被照射体である液晶パネル（表示部）に向かって光を照射することにより、液晶表示装置はその画面上に画像を表示することが可能になっている。このように液晶パネルの表示面の裏側に配置される照明部を、例えばバックライトユニットと呼んでいる。 Since a liquid crystal display device, which is a typical display device, generally does not emit light, the liquid crystal panel that displays an image requires an illumination unit on the opposite side of the display surface of the liquid crystal panel, that is, on the back side. The illumination unit emits light toward a liquid crystal panel (display unit) which is an object to be irradiated, so that the liquid crystal display device can display an image on the screen. Thus, the illumination part arrange | positioned on the back side of the display surface of a liquid crystal panel is called the backlight unit, for example.
　照明部としてバックライトユニットを備える従来の表示装置が特許文献１に開示されている。この従来の表示装置は表示部の前方をカメラによって撮像し、顔画像が検出できないときに人が表示部を見ていないと判断して表示部或いはバックライトの電源をオフにする省電力制御装置を備えている。これにより、表示装置の前方に人が存在する場合であっても人が表示部を見ていないことが判断できるので、表示装置の低消費電力化を図ることができる。 A conventional display device including a backlight unit as an illumination unit is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This conventional display device captures the front of the display unit with a camera, and when a face image cannot be detected, determines that a person is not looking at the display unit and turns off the display unit or backlight. It has. Thus, even when a person is present in front of the display device, it can be determined that the person is not looking at the display unit, so that the power consumption of the display device can be reduced.
日本国公開特許公報「特開平１１－２４２７３３号公報」Japanese Patent Publication “Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-242733”
　しかしながら、特許文献１に記載された従来の表示装置は画面と視聴者との間の視聴距離に対応して画面の明るさを調整するという配慮がなされていない。これにより、例えば表示装置の画面にタッチパネルを設けていたり、画面の周囲に操作ボタン等を設けていたりする場合に、それらの操作のために視聴者が画面に接近して非常に眩しく感じたり、目が疲れたりするといった身体的な不具合が発生する虞があるという課題があった。 However, the conventional display device described in Patent Document 1 does not give consideration to adjusting the brightness of the screen in accordance with the viewing distance between the screen and the viewer. As a result, for example, when a touch panel is provided on the screen of the display device or operation buttons are provided around the screen, the viewer feels very dazzled by approaching the screen for those operations, There has been a problem that there is a risk of physical problems such as eye fatigue.
　本発明は上記の点に鑑みなされたものであり、表示装置の視聴者の視聴距離に対応して自動的に画面の明るさを調整することができ、視聴者が画面に接近したときに起こり得る障害の発生を防止することが可能な表示装置及びその制御方法を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and can automatically adjust the screen brightness according to the viewing distance of the viewer of the display device, and occurs when the viewer approaches the screen. It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device capable of preventing the occurrence of a failure and a control method thereof.
　上記の課題を解決するため、本発明の表示装置は、画像を画面に表示する表示部と、
　前記表示部に対して面状光を照射する照明部と、前記画面の前方に存在する視聴者に係る情報を識別する視聴者識別部と、前記視聴者識別部が識別した前記視聴者に係る情報に基づいて前記画面と前記視聴者との間の視聴距離を推定する視聴距離推定部と、前記視聴距離推定部が推定した前記視聴距離が所定距離以下であるときに前記画面の明るさを従前の明るさより低下させる画面調整部と、を備えることを特徴としている。 In order to solve the above problems, a display device of the present invention includes a display unit that displays an image on a screen,
An illumination unit that irradiates the display unit with planar light, a viewer identification unit that identifies information about a viewer existing in front of the screen, and a viewer that is identified by the viewer identification unit A viewing distance estimation unit that estimates a viewing distance between the screen and the viewer based on information; and the brightness of the screen when the viewing distance estimated by the viewing distance estimation unit is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. And a screen adjustment unit that lowers the brightness of the conventional screen.
　この構成によれば、表示装置は画面の前方に存在する視聴者を識別し、画面と視聴者との間の視聴距離を推定する。そして、表示装置は視聴距離が所定距離以下であるときに画面の明るさを従前の明るさより低下させる。すなわち、表示装置は視聴者の視聴距離に対応して自動的に画面の明るさを調整する。 According to this configuration, the display device identifies the viewer existing in front of the screen, and estimates the viewing distance between the screen and the viewer. The display device reduces the brightness of the screen from the previous brightness when the viewing distance is equal to or less than the predetermined distance. That is, the display device automatically adjusts the screen brightness in accordance with the viewing distance of the viewer.
　なお、ここで述べた「所定距離」は画面の明るさを切り替えるために予め設定した視聴距離に係る任意の距離であり、例えば画面の大きさに応じて任意に設定して構わない。 Note that the “predetermined distance” described here is an arbitrary distance related to the viewing distance set in advance for switching the brightness of the screen, and may be arbitrarily set according to the size of the screen, for example.
　また、上記構成の表示装置において、前記画面調整部は前記視聴距離が所定距離以下であるときに前記照明部を制御して前記面状光の輝度を従前の輝度より低下させることにより前記画面の明るさを低下させる照明制御部からなることを特徴としている。 Further, in the display device having the above configuration, the screen adjustment unit controls the illumination unit when the viewing distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, thereby reducing the luminance of the planar light from the conventional luminance. It is characterized by comprising an illumination control unit that reduces the brightness.
　この構成によれば、表示装置は照明部の面状光の輝度を従前の輝度より低下させることにより画面の明るさを低下させる。このようにして、表示装置は視聴者の視聴距離に対応して自動的に画面の明るさを調整する。 According to this configuration, the display device reduces the brightness of the screen by reducing the brightness of the planar light of the illumination unit from the previous brightness. In this way, the display device automatically adjusts the screen brightness in accordance with the viewing distance of the viewer.
　また、上記構成の表示装置において、前記画面調整部は前記視聴距離が所定距離以下であるときに前記表示部を制御して前記画像自体の輝度を従前の輝度より低下させることにより前記画面の明るさを低下させる表示制御部からなることを特徴としている。 In the display device having the above-described configuration, the screen adjustment unit controls the display unit when the viewing distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance to reduce the brightness of the image itself from the previous brightness, thereby increasing the brightness of the screen. It is characterized by comprising a display control unit for reducing the height.
　この構成によれば、表示装置は表示部の画像自体の輝度を従前の輝度より低下させることにより画面の明るさを低下させる。このようにして、表示装置は視聴者の視聴距離に対応して自動的に画面の明るさを調整する。 According to this configuration, the display device reduces the brightness of the screen by lowering the brightness of the image of the display unit from the previous brightness. In this way, the display device automatically adjusts the screen brightness in accordance with the viewing distance of the viewer.
　また、上記構成の表示装置において、前記視聴者識別部は前記画面の前方に向けられて前記視聴者の画像を撮影する撮像部と、前記撮像部が撮影した前記画像から前記視聴者の身体の部位を検出する視聴者部位検出部と、からなり、前記視聴距離推定部は前記視聴者部位検出部が検出した前記視聴者の身体の部位のサイズに基づいて前記視聴距離を推定することを特徴としている。 In the display device having the above-described configuration, the viewer identification unit is directed to the front of the screen to capture an image of the viewer, and from the image captured by the imaging unit, the viewer's body A viewer part detecting unit for detecting a part, wherein the viewing distance estimating unit estimates the viewing distance based on a size of a part of the body of the viewer detected by the viewer part detecting unit. It is said.
　この構成によれば、表示装置は撮像部が撮影した画像から視聴者の身体の部位を検出することにより画面の前方に存在する視聴者に係る情報を識別する。そして、表示装置は検出した視聴者の身体の部位のサイズに基づいて視聴距離を推定する。 According to this configuration, the display device identifies information related to the viewer existing in front of the screen by detecting the body part of the viewer from the image captured by the imaging unit. Then, the display device estimates the viewing distance based on the detected size of the body part of the viewer.
　また、上記構成の表示装置において、前記視聴者部位検出部は前記視聴者の左右の目及びその間隔を検出し、前記視聴距離推定部は前記視聴者部位検出部が検出した前記視聴者の左右の目の間隔に基づいて前記視聴距離を推定することを特徴としている。 In the display device having the above-described configuration, the viewer part detection unit detects left and right eyes of the viewer and an interval between the viewers, and the viewing distance estimation unit detects the viewer left and right of the viewer detected by the viewer part detection unit. The viewing distance is estimated based on the interval between the eyes.
　この構成によれば、表示装置は視聴者の左右の目の間隔に基づいて視聴距離を推定する。このようにして、表示装置は検出した視聴者の身体の部位のサイズに基づいて視聴距離を推定する。 According to this configuration, the display device estimates the viewing distance based on the distance between the left and right eyes of the viewer. In this way, the display device estimates the viewing distance based on the detected size of the body part of the viewer.
　また、上記構成の表示装置において、前記視聴者識別部は前記画面の前方の前記視聴者の有無を検出する視聴者有無検出部からなり、前記視聴距離推定部は前記視聴者有無検出部が検出した前記視聴者の位置情報に基づいて前記視聴距離を推定することを特徴としている。 In the display device having the above configuration, the viewer identification unit includes a viewer presence / absence detection unit that detects presence / absence of the viewer in front of the screen, and the viewing distance estimation unit is detected by the viewer presence / absence detection unit. The viewing distance is estimated based on the viewer's positional information.
　この構成によれば、表示装置は、例えば人感センサなどといった視聴者有無検出部を用いて画面の前方に存在する視聴者に係る情報を識別する。そして、表示装置は検出した視聴者の位置情報に基づいて視聴距離を推定する。 According to this configuration, the display device identifies information related to a viewer existing in front of the screen using a viewer presence / absence detection unit such as a human sensor. Then, the display device estimates the viewing distance based on the detected position information of the viewer.
　また、上記構成の表示装置において、前記視聴者有無検出部は静電容量方式のタッチパネルからなることを特徴としている。 Further, in the display device having the above-described configuration, the viewer presence / absence detecting unit includes a capacitive touch panel.
　この構成によれば、表示装置は、例えば画面にタッチパネルを備える場合、このタッチパネルを用いて画面の前方に存在する視聴者に係る情報を識別する。したがって、表示装置はタッチパネルを用いてより簡単に視聴距離を推定する。 According to this configuration, for example, when the display device includes a touch panel on the screen, the display device identifies information relating to the viewer existing in front of the screen using the touch panel. Therefore, the display device more easily estimates the viewing distance using the touch panel.
　また、上記の課題を解決するため、本発明は、照明部から表示部に対して面状光を照射することにより前記表示部の画面に画像を表示する表示装置の制御方法であって、前記画面の前方に存在する視聴者に係る情報を識別する視聴者識別ステップと、前記視聴者に係る情報に基づいて前記画面と前記視聴者との間の視聴距離を推定する視聴距離推定ステップと、前記視聴距離が所定距離以下であるときに前記画面の明るさを従前の明るさより低下させる画面調整ステップと、を有することを特徴としている。 In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a control method for a display device that displays an image on a screen of the display unit by irradiating the display unit with planar light from the illumination unit. A viewer identification step for identifying information related to a viewer existing in front of the screen; a viewing distance estimation step for estimating a viewing distance between the screen and the viewer based on the information related to the viewer; And a screen adjustment step of reducing the brightness of the screen from the previous brightness when the viewing distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance.
　この方法によれば、表示装置は画面の前方に存在する視聴者を識別し、画面と視聴者との間の視聴距離を推定する。そして、表示装置は視聴距離が所定距離以下であるときに画面の明るさを従前の明るさより低下させる。すなわち、表示装置は視聴者の視聴距離に対応して自動的に画面の明るさを調整する。 According to this method, the display device identifies the viewer existing in front of the screen, and estimates the viewing distance between the screen and the viewer. The display device reduces the brightness of the screen from the previous brightness when the viewing distance is equal to or less than the predetermined distance. That is, the display device automatically adjusts the screen brightness in accordance with the viewing distance of the viewer.
　また、上記構成の表示装置の制御方法において、前記視聴者識別ステップは前記視聴者の画像を撮影する撮像ステップと、前記撮像ステップで撮影した前記画像から前記視聴者の身体の部位を検出する視聴者部位検出ステップと、からなり、前記視聴距離推定ステップは前記視聴者部位検出ステップで検出した前記視聴者の身体の部位のサイズに基づいて前記視聴距離を推定することを特徴としている。 In the control method of the display device having the above-described configuration, the viewer identification step includes an imaging step for capturing an image of the viewer, and a viewing for detecting a part of the viewer's body from the image captured at the imaging step. A viewer part detecting step, wherein the viewing distance estimating step estimates the viewing distance based on the size of the body part of the viewer detected in the viewer part detecting step.
　この方法によれば、表示装置は撮像部が撮影した画像から視聴者の身体の部位を検出することにより画面の前方に存在する視聴者に係る情報を識別する。そして、表示装置は検出した視聴者の身体の部位のサイズに基づいて視聴距離を推定する。 According to this method, the display device identifies information related to the viewer existing in front of the screen by detecting the body part of the viewer from the image captured by the imaging unit. Then, the display device estimates the viewing distance based on the detected size of the body part of the viewer.
　また、上記構成の表示装置の制御方法において、前記視聴者識別ステップは前記画面の前方の前記視聴者の有無を検出する視聴者有無検出ステップからなり、前記視聴距離推定ステップは前記視聴者有無検出ステップで検出した前記視聴者の位置情報に基づいて前記視聴距離を推定することを特徴としている。 Further, in the display device control method having the above-described configuration, the viewer identification step includes a viewer presence / absence detection step for detecting presence / absence of the viewer in front of the screen, and the viewing distance estimation step includes the viewer presence / absence detection step. The viewing distance is estimated based on the position information of the viewer detected in the step.
　この方法によれば、表示装置は、例えば人感センサなどといった視聴者有無検出部を用いて画面の前方に存在する視聴者に係る情報を識別する。そして、表示装置は検出した視聴者の位置情報に基づいて視聴距離を推定する。 According to this method, the display device identifies information related to the viewer existing in front of the screen using a viewer presence / absence detector such as a human sensor. Then, the display device estimates the viewing distance based on the detected position information of the viewer.
　本発明の構成によれば、表示装置の視聴者の視聴距離に対応して自動的に画面の明るさを調整することができ、視聴者が画面に接近したときに起こり得る障害の発生を防止することが可能な表示装置及びその制御方法を提供することができる。 According to the configuration of the present invention, the brightness of the screen can be automatically adjusted according to the viewing distance of the viewer of the display device, and the occurrence of a failure that may occur when the viewer approaches the screen is prevented. It is possible to provide a display device and a control method thereof.
本発明の第１実施形態の表示装置の分解斜視図である。1 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の第１実施形態の表示装置の構成を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の第１実施形態の表示装置の視聴距離の推定に係る説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which concerns on estimation of viewing distance of the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の第１実施形態の表示装置の画面明るさの変更制御を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows change control of the screen brightness of the display apparatus of 1st Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の第２実施形態の表示装置の画面明るさの変更に係る説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which concerns on the change of the screen brightness of the display apparatus of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の第３実施形態の表示装置の視聴距離の推定に係る説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which concerns on estimation of viewing distance of the display apparatus of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の第４実施形態の表示装置の構成を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display apparatus of 4th Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の第４実施形態の表示装置の視聴距離の推定に係る説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which concerns on estimation of viewing distance of the display apparatus of 4th Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の第４実施形態の表示装置のタッチパネルの検出モードを示す表である。It is a table | surface which shows the detection mode of the touchscreen of the display apparatus of 4th Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の第４実施形態の表示装置の画面明るさの変更制御を示すフローチャートである。It is a flowchart which shows change control of the screen brightness of the display apparatus of 4th Embodiment of this invention.
　以下、本発明の実施形態を図１～図１０に基づき説明する。なおここでは、本発明の表示装置の一例として液晶表示装置を掲げて説明するものとする。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, a liquid crystal display device will be described as an example of the display device of the present invention.
＜第１実施形態＞
　最初に、本発明の第１実施形態の液晶表示装置について、図１を用いてその構造を説明する。図１は液晶表示装置の分解斜視図である。なお、図１の上側が後述する液晶パネルの表示面側であり、下側が液晶パネルの裏面側である。 <First Embodiment>
First, the structure of the liquid crystal display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a liquid crystal display device. In addition, the upper side of FIG. 1 is the display surface side of the liquid crystal panel mentioned later, and the lower side is the back surface side of a liquid crystal panel.
　液晶表示装置１は映像の表示に液晶を用いた表示装置であって、縦方向よりも横方向に長く延びる平面視略矩形をなす。液晶表示装置１は、図１に示すように表示部である液晶パネル１０と、その照明部であるバックライトユニット２０とを備える。液晶パネル１０及びバックライトユニット２０はケース２に収容されて支持される。 The liquid crystal display device 1 is a display device using liquid crystal for displaying images, and has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view extending longer in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display device 1 includes a liquid crystal panel 10 as a display unit and a backlight unit 20 as an illumination unit. The liquid crystal panel 10 and the backlight unit 20 are housed and supported in the case 2.
　液晶パネル１０はアクティブマトリクス基板１１、カラーフィルタ基板１２及び偏向板１３を備える。カラーフィルタ基板１２は単に対向基板と呼ばれることもある。 The liquid crystal panel 10 includes an active matrix substrate 11, a color filter substrate 12, and a deflection plate 13. The color filter substrate 12 may be simply called a counter substrate.
　アクティブマトリクス基板１１は液晶パネル１０の表示面側に配置されたカラーフィルタ基板１２と対向させて配置される。アクティブマトリクス基板１１はその所定面上に図示しないＴＦＴ（Thin Film Transistor：薄膜トランジスタ）からなるスイッチング素子、画素電極及び共通電極を備える。画素電極及び共通電極は例えば対をなす櫛歯型電極で構成される。 The active matrix substrate 11 is disposed to face the color filter substrate 12 disposed on the display surface side of the liquid crystal panel 10. The active matrix substrate 11 includes a switching element, a pixel electrode, and a common electrode made of TFT (Thin Film Transistor) (not shown) on a predetermined surface. The pixel electrode and the common electrode are composed of, for example, a pair of comb-shaped electrodes.
　さらに、アクティブマトリクス基板１１及びカラーフィルタ基板１２は各々の所定面が液晶を特定方向に配向させることが可能な図示しない配向膜によって覆われる。 Furthermore, each of the active matrix substrate 11 and the color filter substrate 12 is covered with an alignment film (not shown) capable of aligning liquid crystals in a specific direction.
　そして、アクティブマトリクス基板１１及びカラーフィルタ基板１２は互いの所定面が向き合うように図示しないシール材を介して貼り合わせられている。さらに、液晶がアクティブマトリクス基板１１とカラーフィルタ基板１２との間に挟持され、シール材で囲まれた空間内に封入される。 The active matrix substrate 11 and the color filter substrate 12 are bonded together with a seal material (not shown) so that their predetermined surfaces face each other. Further, the liquid crystal is sandwiched between the active matrix substrate 11 and the color filter substrate 12 and sealed in a space surrounded by a sealing material.
　偏向板１３はアクティブマトリクス基板１１及びカラーフィルタ基板１２の液晶を封入した互いの所定面と反対側の面各々に貼付される。偏向板１３は特定の振動方向の光波だけを透過させるシートであって、２枚の偏向板１３の透過軸方向を互いに約９０°ずらした状態で各々貼付される。 The deflection plate 13 is affixed to each of the surfaces opposite to the predetermined surfaces of the active matrix substrate 11 and the color filter substrate 12 enclosing the liquid crystal. The deflection plate 13 is a sheet that transmits only a light wave in a specific vibration direction, and is attached to each of the two deflection plates 13 in a state where the transmission axis directions of the two deflection plates 13 are shifted from each other by about 90 °.
　このような構成の液晶パネル１０は画像信号に基づきアクティブマトリクス基板１１の画素電極と共通電極との間に発生させた電界により液晶の配向を調整し、液晶の層を透過する光の透過率を変更する。なお、液晶パネル１０は、例えば上記のような横電界方式を採用しており、アクティブマトリクス基板１１の主面に対して平行に電界を発生させることにより液晶分子を基板主面と平行な面内で回転させる。 The liquid crystal panel 10 having such a configuration adjusts the orientation of the liquid crystal by an electric field generated between the pixel electrode and the common electrode of the active matrix substrate 11 based on the image signal, and adjusts the transmittance of light transmitted through the liquid crystal layer. change. The liquid crystal panel 10 employs, for example, the above-described lateral electric field method, and generates an electric field in parallel to the main surface of the active matrix substrate 11 so that liquid crystal molecules are aligned in a plane parallel to the main surface of the substrate. Rotate with
　バックライトユニット２０は液晶パネル１０に対して照射するバックライト光（面状光）を生成するための装置であって、照明方式として例えば直下型を採用した照明部である。バックライトユニット２０は液晶パネル１０の裏面側（図１では下方）に配置される。バックライトユニット２０はＬＥＤモジュール２１、拡散板２２、プリズムシート２３及びレンズシート２４を備える。 The backlight unit 20 is a device for generating backlight light (planar light) to be irradiated to the liquid crystal panel 10, and is an illumination unit adopting, for example, a direct type as an illumination method. The backlight unit 20 is disposed on the back side of the liquid crystal panel 10 (downward in FIG. 1). The backlight unit 20 includes an LED module 21, a diffusion plate 22, a prism sheet 23, and a lens sheet 24.
　ＬＥＤモジュール２１はバックライト光の生成するための光を照射する装置であって、図１において液晶パネル１０の下方（裏面側）に配置される。ＬＥＤモジュール２１は平面視略矩形をなす板状の基板２５と、光源としての複数のＬＥＤ２６とを備える。 The LED module 21 is a device that emits light for generating backlight light, and is disposed below (on the back side of) the liquid crystal panel 10 in FIG. The LED module 21 includes a plate-like substrate 25 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and a plurality of LEDs 26 as light sources.
　ＬＥＤ２６は例えば白色に発光する白色ＬＥＤ（Light Emitting Diode：発光ダイオード）で構成され、複数のＬＥＤ２６が基板２５の一面に略格子状の列をなす形に並べて配置される。基板２５の表面は縦横に配列された複数個のエリア２５ａに区分され、１個のエリア２５ａに少なくとも１個のＬＥＤ２６が含まれるように構成される。 The LED 26 is composed of, for example, a white LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits white light, and a plurality of LEDs 26 are arranged in a substantially grid pattern on one surface of the substrate 25. The surface of the substrate 25 is divided into a plurality of areas 25a arranged vertically and horizontally, and is configured such that at least one LED 26 is included in one area 25a.
　なお、光源はＬＥＤに限定されるわけではなく、ＬＥＤ自体も白色発光するものに限定されるわけでない。例えば、ＬＥＤ２６は赤（Ｒ）、緑（Ｇ）、青（Ｂ）の波長の光を出射するＬＥＤチップを集結させたＬＥＤユニットとして構成しても良い。さらに、これらに黄色（Ｙ）の波長の光を出射するＬＥＤチップを加えても良い。また、ＬＥＤ２６の配置方法や数も先の記載内容や図１の形に限定されるわけではない。 It should be noted that the light source is not limited to LEDs, and the LEDs themselves are not limited to those that emit white light. For example, the LED 26 may be configured as an LED unit in which LED chips that emit light having wavelengths of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) are gathered. Furthermore, you may add the LED chip which radiate | emits the light of the wavelength of yellow (Y) to these. Further, the arrangement method and the number of the LEDs 26 are not limited to the above described contents and the shape shown in FIG.
　拡散板２２、プリズムシート２３及びレンズシート２４はＬＥＤモジュール２１を液晶パネル１０側から覆うように、図１においてＬＥＤモジュール２１の上方にＬＥＤモジュール２１に対向させて配置される。 The diffusion plate 22, the prism sheet 23, and the lens sheet 24 are arranged to face the LED module 21 above the LED module 21 in FIG. 1 so as to cover the LED module 21 from the liquid crystal panel 10 side.
　これら拡散板２２、プリズムシート２３及びレンズシート２４のうち拡散板２２はＬＥＤモジュール２１に最も近接して配置され、ＬＥＤモジュール２１から照射される光を直接受ける。拡散板２２はＬＥＤモジュール２１から照射される光の被照射面が基板２５のＬＥＤ２６の配置面と略平行をなして対向するように配置される。拡散板２２はＬＥＤ２６から照射される光を受けて拡散させ、液晶パネル１０の全域に光を行き渡らせる。 Of these diffuser plate 22, prism sheet 23, and lens sheet 24, the diffuser plate 22 is disposed closest to the LED module 21 and directly receives light emitted from the LED module 21. The diffusing plate 22 is disposed such that the irradiated surface of the light irradiated from the LED module 21 faces the surface of the substrate 25 where the LED 26 is disposed in substantially parallel. The diffusion plate 22 receives and diffuses the light emitted from the LED 26 and spreads the light over the entire area of the liquid crystal panel 10.
　プリズムシート２３は拡散板２２の液晶パネル１０側に重ねて設けられる。プリズムシート２３は一方向に線状に延びる例えば三角プリズムがシート面内にて一方向に交差する方向に並べられる。プリズムシート２３は拡散板２２からの光の放射特性を偏向させる。 The prism sheet 23 is provided so as to overlap the liquid crystal panel 10 side of the diffusion plate 22. The prism sheets 23 are arranged in a direction in which, for example, triangular prisms extending linearly in one direction intersect in one direction within the sheet surface. The prism sheet 23 deflects the radiation characteristic of light from the diffusion plate 22.
　レンズシート２４はプリズムシート２３の液晶パネル１０側に重ねて設けられる。レンズシート２４は光を屈折散乱させる微粒子が内部に分散される。レンズシート２４はプリズムシート２３からの局所的に集光させることなく光量むらとなる明暗差を抑制する。 The lens sheet 24 is provided to overlap the prism sheet 23 on the liquid crystal panel 10 side. In the lens sheet 24, fine particles that refract and scatter light are dispersed inside. The lens sheet 24 suppresses the difference in brightness that causes unevenness in the amount of light without locally condensing from the prism sheet 23.
　このような構成のバックライトユニット２０はむらが抑制されたほぼ均一なバックライト光を面状に照射して液晶パネル１０の裏面を照明する。液晶パネル１０が画像信号に基づき液晶を透過するバックライト光の透過率を変更するので、液晶パネル１０の画面１０ａに所望の映像が表示される。 The backlight unit 20 having such a configuration illuminates the back surface of the liquid crystal panel 10 by irradiating a substantially uniform backlight light in which unevenness is suppressed in a planar shape. Since the liquid crystal panel 10 changes the transmittance of the backlight that transmits the liquid crystal based on the image signal, a desired image is displayed on the screen 10a of the liquid crystal panel 10.
　続いて、液晶表示装置１の詳細な構成について、図１に加えて図２及び図３を用いて説明する。図２は液晶表示装置１の構成を示すブロック図、図３は液晶表示装置１の視聴距離の推定に係る説明図である。 Subsequently, a detailed configuration of the liquid crystal display device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 in addition to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the liquid crystal display device 1, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram relating to estimation of the viewing distance of the liquid crystal display device 1.
　液晶表示装置１は制御用の構成要素として、図２に示す画像信号取得部３、画像信号処理部３０、表示制御部である液晶パネル制御部４、液晶ドライバ５、照明制御部であるＬＥＤ制御部６及びＬＥＤドライバ７を備える。 The liquid crystal display device 1 includes, as control components, an image signal acquisition unit 3, an image signal processing unit 30, a liquid crystal panel control unit 4 that is a display control unit, a liquid crystal driver 5, and an LED control that is an illumination control unit. The unit 6 and the LED driver 7 are provided.
　画像信号取得部３は不図示の画像信号出力部などが送信した画像信号を取得する外部入力インターフェースを備える。画像信号取得部３は取得した画像信号を画像信号処理部３０に送信する。なお、画像信号は画像信号処理部３０にて信号処理が施された後に液晶パネル制御部４に送信される表示画像を特定するＬＣＤ信号と、ＬＥＤ制御部６に送信される面状光の輝度を特定するＬＥＤ信号とを含んでいる。 The image signal acquisition unit 3 includes an external input interface that acquires an image signal transmitted by an image signal output unit (not shown). The image signal acquisition unit 3 transmits the acquired image signal to the image signal processing unit 30. The image signal is processed by the image signal processing unit 30 and then the LCD signal for specifying the display image transmitted to the liquid crystal panel control unit 4 and the luminance of the planar light transmitted to the LED control unit 6 are displayed. LED signal for specifying
　画像信号処理部３０は画像信号取得部３から画像信号を受信する。画像信号処理部３０は受信した画像信号に基づいて、液晶パネル１０の各画素の光透過率を設定して表示画像を特定するＬＣＤ信号と、バックライトユニット２０の各ＬＥＤ２６の発光輝度を設定して面状光全体の輝度を特定するＬＥＤ信号とを生成する。そして、画像信号処理部３０はＬＣＤ信号を液晶パネル制御部４に送信し、ＬＥＤ信号をＬＥＤ制御部６に送信する。なお、画像信号処理部３０の他の詳細な構成については後述する。 The image signal processing unit 30 receives an image signal from the image signal acquisition unit 3. Based on the received image signal, the image signal processing unit 30 sets an LCD signal for specifying a display image by setting the light transmittance of each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 10 and the light emission luminance of each LED 26 of the backlight unit 20. And an LED signal for specifying the brightness of the entire planar light. Then, the image signal processing unit 30 transmits the LCD signal to the liquid crystal panel control unit 4 and transmits the LED signal to the LED control unit 6. The other detailed configuration of the image signal processing unit 30 will be described later.
　液晶パネル制御部４は画像信号処理部３０からＬＣＤ信号を受信する。液晶パネル制御部４は受信したＬＣＤ信号に基づいて液晶ドライバ５を駆動するためのＬＣＤ制御信号を生成し、そのＬＣＤ制御信号を液晶ドライバ５に送信する。液晶ドライバ５は液晶パネル制御部４から受信したＬＣＤ制御信号に基づいて液晶パネル１０の各画素のスイッチング素子の状態を切り替える。 The liquid crystal panel control unit 4 receives the LCD signal from the image signal processing unit 30. The liquid crystal panel control unit 4 generates an LCD control signal for driving the liquid crystal driver 5 based on the received LCD signal, and transmits the LCD control signal to the liquid crystal driver 5. The liquid crystal driver 5 switches the state of the switching element of each pixel of the liquid crystal panel 10 based on the LCD control signal received from the liquid crystal panel control unit 4.
　ＬＥＤ制御部６は画像信号処理部３０からＬＥＤ信号を受信する。ＬＥＤ制御部６は受信したＬＥＤ信号に基づいてＬＥＤドライバ７を駆動するためのＬＥＤ制御信号（ＰＷＭ制御信号を含む）を生成し、そのＬＥＤ制御信号をＬＥＤドライバ７に送信する。ＬＥＤドライバ７はＬＥＤ制御部６から受信したＬＥＤ制御信号に基づいてバックライトユニット２０の各ＬＥＤ２６の発光制御（ＰＷＭ制御）を実行する。 The LED control unit 6 receives an LED signal from the image signal processing unit 30. The LED control unit 6 generates an LED control signal (including a PWM control signal) for driving the LED driver 7 based on the received LED signal, and transmits the LED control signal to the LED driver 7. The LED driver 7 performs light emission control (PWM control) of each LED 26 of the backlight unit 20 based on the LED control signal received from the LED control unit 6.
　そして、液晶表示装置１は液晶パネル１０の画面１０ａと視聴者との間の視聴距離が所定距離以下であるときに画面１０ａの明るさを従前の明るさより低下させる。 The liquid crystal display device 1 reduces the brightness of the screen 10a from the previous brightness when the viewing distance between the screen 10a of the liquid crystal panel 10 and the viewer is equal to or less than a predetermined distance.
　このため、液晶表示装置１は図２に示すように視聴者識別部４０と、視聴距離推定部３１と、画面調整部５０とを備える。視聴者識別部４０は撮像部であるカメラ４１と、視聴者部位検出部である顔検出部４２からなる。そして、前出の表示制御部である液晶パネル制御部４、または照明制御部であるＬＥＤ制御部６が画面調整部５０として機能する。なお、図２では顔検出部４２と視聴距離推定部３１とを画像信号処理部３０に設けているが、それらを画像信号処理部３０と別個にして構成しても良い。 Therefore, the liquid crystal display device 1 includes a viewer identification unit 40, a viewing distance estimation unit 31, and a screen adjustment unit 50 as shown in FIG. The viewer identification unit 40 includes a camera 41 that is an imaging unit and a face detection unit 42 that is a viewer part detection unit. The liquid crystal panel control unit 4 that is the above-described display control unit or the LED control unit 6 that is the illumination control unit functions as the screen adjustment unit 50. In FIG. 2, the face detection unit 42 and the viewing distance estimation unit 31 are provided in the image signal processing unit 30, but they may be configured separately from the image signal processing unit 30.
　カメラ４１は液晶パネル１０の画面１０ａの前方に向けられて配置され、視聴者の画像を撮影する。カメラ４１は撮影した視聴者の画像データを顔検出部４２に送信する。 The camera 41 is arranged facing the front of the screen 10a of the liquid crystal panel 10 and shoots an image of the viewer. The camera 41 transmits the captured image data of the viewer to the face detection unit 42.
　顔検出部４２はカメラ４１が撮影した視聴者の画像データから、図３において二点鎖線で囲んだ領域Ａｔのように顔部分の情報を検出する。そして、顔検出部４２は検出した視聴者の顔部分の情報を視聴距離推定部３１に送信する。 The face detection unit 42 detects the information of the face part from the image data of the viewer taken by the camera 41 like a region At surrounded by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Then, the face detection unit 42 transmits information on the detected face portion of the viewer to the viewing distance estimation unit 31.
　視聴距離推定部３１は顔検出部４２が検出した視聴者個人の顔部分のサイズに基づいて視聴距離を推定する。図示しないメモリには視聴距離が所定距離であるときの顔部分の領域Ａｓ（図３の破線で囲んだ領域）に係る情報が予め記憶される。視聴距離推定部３１はメモリに予め記憶した視聴距離が所定距離であるときの顔部分の領域Ａｓの大きさと、カメラ４１が撮影した視聴者の顔部分の領域Ａｔの大きさとを比較して視聴距離が所定距離以下であるか否かを判定する。 The viewing distance estimation unit 31 estimates the viewing distance based on the size of the individual face portion of the viewer detected by the face detection unit 42. A memory (not shown) stores in advance information relating to the face portion area As (area surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 3) when the viewing distance is a predetermined distance. The viewing distance estimation unit 31 compares the size of the face portion area As when the viewing distance stored in advance in the memory is a predetermined distance with the size of the viewer face portion area At photographed by the camera 41. It is determined whether the distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance.
　画面調整部５０として機能する液晶パネル制御部４またはＬＥＤ制御部６は視聴距離推定部３１が推定した視聴距離が所定距離以下であるときに画面１０ａの明るさを従前の明るさより低下させる。本実施形態では、ＬＥＤ制御部６がバックライトユニット２０を制御して、面状光の輝度を従前の輝度より低下させることにより画面１０ａの明るさを低下させる。液晶パネル制御部４を用いた画面１０ａの明るさの制御方法については後の実施形態で述べる。 The liquid crystal panel control unit 4 or the LED control unit 6 that functions as the screen adjustment unit 50 reduces the brightness of the screen 10a from the previous brightness when the viewing distance estimated by the viewing distance estimation unit 31 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. In the present embodiment, the LED control unit 6 controls the backlight unit 20 to reduce the brightness of the screen 10a by reducing the brightness of the planar light from the previous brightness. A method of controlling the brightness of the screen 10a using the liquid crystal panel control unit 4 will be described in a later embodiment.
　続いて、液晶表示装置１の画面１０ａの明るさの変更制御について、図４に示すフローに沿って説明する。図４は液晶表示装置１の画面明るさの変更制御を示すフローチャートである。 Subsequently, the brightness change control of the screen 10a of the liquid crystal display device 1 will be described along the flow shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing control for changing the screen brightness of the liquid crystal display device 1.
　液晶表示装置１の駆動が開始されると（図４のスタート）、液晶表示装置１は画像信号処理部３０、液晶パネル１０及びバックライトユニット２０を制御して画像信号取得部３が取得した画像を画面１０ａに表示するとともに、カメラ４１を用いて視聴者の画像の撮影を開始する（図４のステップ＃１０１）。 When driving of the liquid crystal display device 1 is started (start of FIG. 4), the liquid crystal display device 1 controls the image signal processing unit 30, the liquid crystal panel 10, and the backlight unit 20 to acquire the image acquired by the image signal acquisition unit 3. Is displayed on the screen 10a, and photographing of the viewer's image is started using the camera 41 (step # 101 in FIG. 4).
　次に、液晶表示装置１は顔検出部４２を用いてカメラ４１が撮影した視聴者の画像データから顔部分の情報を検出する（ステップ＃１０２）。続いて、視聴距離推定部３１が、顔検出部４２が検出した視聴者個人の顔部分のサイズに基づいて視聴距離を推定する（ステップ＃１０３）。 Next, the liquid crystal display device 1 detects the information of the face portion from the image data of the viewer photographed by the camera 41 using the face detection unit 42 (step # 102). Subsequently, the viewing distance estimation unit 31 estimates the viewing distance based on the size of the individual face portion of the viewer detected by the face detection unit 42 (step # 103).
　さらに、視聴距離推定部３１は視聴距離が所定距離以下であるか否かを判定する（ステップ＃１０４）。視聴距離が所定距離以下ではない場合（ステップ＃１０４のＮｏ）、画面１０ａの明るさを通常どおりに設定する（ステップ＃１０５）。そして、ステップ＃１０１に戻り、引き続きカメラ４１を用いた視聴者の画像の撮影を継続する。 Further, the viewing distance estimation unit 31 determines whether or not the viewing distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance (step # 104). When the viewing distance is not less than the predetermined distance (No in Step # 104), the brightness of the screen 10a is set as usual (Step # 105). Then, the process returns to step # 101, and the photographing of the viewer's image using the camera 41 is continued.
　一方、視聴距離が所定距離以下である場合（ステップ＃１０４のＹｅｓ）、ＬＥＤ制御部６がバックライトユニット２０を制御して、面状光の輝度を従前の輝度より低下させることにより画面１０ａの明るさを通常より低下させる（ステップ＃１０６）。そして、ステップ＃１０１に戻り、引き続きカメラ４１を用いた視聴者の画像の撮影を継続する。 On the other hand, when the viewing distance is equal to or smaller than the predetermined distance (Yes in step # 104), the LED control unit 6 controls the backlight unit 20 to reduce the brightness of the planar light from the previous brightness, thereby causing the screen 10a to be displayed. The brightness is lowered than usual (step # 106). Then, the process returns to step # 101, and the photographing of the viewer's image using the camera 41 is continued.
　上記のように、液晶表示装置１は画面１０ａの前方に存在する視聴者に係る情報を識別する視聴者識別部４０と、その視聴者に係る情報に基づいて画面１０ａと視聴者との間の視聴距離を推定する視聴距離推定部３１と、その視聴距離が所定距離以下であるときに画面１０ａの明るさを従前の明るさより低下させる画面調整部５０と、を備えている。これにより、液晶表示装置１は画面１０ａの前方に存在する視聴者を識別し、画面１０ａと視聴者との間の視聴距離を推定する。そして、液晶表示装置１は視聴距離が所定距離以下であるときに画面１０ａの明るさを従前の明るさより低下させる。すなわち、液晶表示装置１は視聴者の視聴距離に対応して自動的に画面１０ａの明るさを調整することが可能である。 As described above, the liquid crystal display device 1 includes the viewer identification unit 40 that identifies information related to the viewer existing in front of the screen 10a, and the screen 10a and the viewer based on the information related to the viewer. A viewing distance estimation unit 31 that estimates the viewing distance, and a screen adjustment unit 50 that reduces the brightness of the screen 10a from the previous brightness when the viewing distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. Thereby, the liquid crystal display device 1 identifies the viewer existing in front of the screen 10a, and estimates the viewing distance between the screen 10a and the viewer. Then, the liquid crystal display device 1 lowers the brightness of the screen 10a from the previous brightness when the viewing distance is equal to or less than the predetermined distance. That is, the liquid crystal display device 1 can automatically adjust the brightness of the screen 10a in accordance with the viewing distance of the viewer.
　また、画面調整部５０は視聴距離が所定距離以下であるときにバックライトユニット２０を制御して面状光の輝度を従前の輝度より低下させることにより画面１０ａの明るさを低下させるＬＥＤ制御部６からなる。したがって、液晶表示装置１はバックライトユニット２０の面状光の輝度を従前の輝度より低下させることにより、視聴者の視聴距離に対応して自動的に画面１０ａの明るさを調整することができる。 Further, the screen adjustment unit 50 controls the backlight unit 20 when the viewing distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance to reduce the brightness of the screen 10a by reducing the brightness of the planar light from the previous brightness. It consists of six. Therefore, the liquid crystal display device 1 can automatically adjust the brightness of the screen 10a in accordance with the viewing distance of the viewer by reducing the brightness of the planar light of the backlight unit 20 from the previous brightness. .
　また、視聴者識別部４０は画面１０ａの前方に向けられて視聴者の画像を撮影するカメラ４１と、カメラ４１が撮影した画像から視聴者の身体の部位である顔部分を検出する顔検出部４２と、からなり、視聴距離推定部３１は顔検出部４２が検出した視聴者の顔部分のサイズに基づいて視聴距離を推定する。したがって、液晶表示装置１はカメラ４１が撮影した視聴者の画像に基づいて容易に視聴距離を推定することができ、その視聴距離に対応して自動的に画面１０ａの明るさを調整することが可能である。 In addition, the viewer identification unit 40 is directed to the front of the screen 10a to capture a viewer's image, and a face detection unit that detects a face part that is a part of the viewer's body from the image captured by the camera 41. 42. The viewing distance estimation unit 31 estimates the viewing distance based on the size of the face part of the viewer detected by the face detection unit 42. Therefore, the liquid crystal display device 1 can easily estimate the viewing distance based on the viewer's image taken by the camera 41, and can automatically adjust the brightness of the screen 10a according to the viewing distance. Is possible.
　そして、本発明の上記実施形態の構成によれば、液晶表示装置１の視聴者の視聴距離に対応して自動的に画面１０ａの明るさを調整することができ、視聴者が画面１０ａに接近したときに起こり得る障害の発生を防止することが可能な液晶表示装置１及びその制御方法を提供することができる。 According to the configuration of the above embodiment of the present invention, the brightness of the screen 10a can be automatically adjusted according to the viewing distance of the viewer of the liquid crystal display device 1, and the viewer approaches the screen 10a. Therefore, it is possible to provide the liquid crystal display device 1 and its control method capable of preventing the occurrence of a failure that may occur.
＜第２実施形態＞
　次に、本発明の第２実施形態に係る液晶表示装置について、図５を用いて説明する。図５は液晶表示装置の画面明るさの変更に係る説明図である。なお、この実施形態の基本的な構成は図１～図４を用いて説明した前記第１実施形態と同じであるので、第１実施形態と共通する構成要素には前と同じ符号を付し、図面の記載及びその詳細説明を省略するものとする。 Second Embodiment
Next, a liquid crystal display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram relating to a change in screen brightness of the liquid crystal display device. Since the basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as before. The description of the drawings and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.
　第２実施形態に係る液晶表示装置１は画面調整部５０として機能する液晶パネル制御部４が、視聴距離が所定距離以下であるときに液晶パネル１０を制御して画像自体の輝度を従前の輝度より低下させることにより画面１０ａの明るさを低下させる。 In the liquid crystal display device 1 according to the second embodiment, the liquid crystal panel control unit 4 functioning as the screen adjustment unit 50 controls the liquid crystal panel 10 when the viewing distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, thereby reducing the luminance of the image itself. By lowering the brightness, the brightness of the screen 10a is lowered.
　ここで、液晶パネル１０に対する入力階調と画像自体の輝度との関係が、図５に曲線で描かれている。例えば、図５における輝度１．０の場合のように、白画面（赤緑青の色の強さ、赤：２５５、緑：２５５、青：２５５）の入力に対し、通常は２５５階調までを使用して表示する。 Here, the relationship between the input gradation to the liquid crystal panel 10 and the brightness of the image itself is depicted by a curve in FIG. For example, as in the case of the luminance of 1.0 in FIG. 5, normally up to 255 gradations with respect to the input of the white screen (red, green and blue color intensity, red: 255, green: 255, blue: 255). Use to display.
　そして、液晶パネル制御部４は視聴距離が所定距離以下であるとき、例えば図５に破線で示したように、輝度が半分の０．５程度になる１８６階調までを使用して液晶パネル１０に画像を表示する。このようにして、液晶表示装置１は液晶パネル１０の画像自体の輝度を従前の輝度より低下させることにより画面１０ａの明るさを低下させる。したがって、液晶表示装置１は液晶パネル制御部４及び液晶パネル１０を利用して、視聴者の視聴距離に対応して自動的に画面１０ａの明るさを調整することが可能である。 Then, when the viewing distance is equal to or less than the predetermined distance, the liquid crystal panel control unit 4 uses the liquid crystal panel 10 up to 186 gradations in which the luminance is about 0.5, as shown by a broken line in FIG. Display an image. In this way, the liquid crystal display device 1 reduces the brightness of the screen 10a by reducing the brightness of the image itself of the liquid crystal panel 10 from the previous brightness. Therefore, the liquid crystal display device 1 can automatically adjust the brightness of the screen 10a according to the viewing distance of the viewer by using the liquid crystal panel control unit 4 and the liquid crystal panel 10.
＜第３実施形態＞
　次に、本発明の第３実施形態に係る液晶表示装置について、図６を用いて説明する。図６は液晶表示装置の視聴距離の推定に係る説明図である。なお、この実施形態の基本的な構成は図１～図４を用いて説明した前記第１実施形態と同じであるので、第１実施形態と共通する構成要素には前と同じ符号を付し、図面の記載及びその詳細説明を省略するものとする。 <Third Embodiment>
Next, a liquid crystal display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram relating to the estimation of the viewing distance of the liquid crystal display device. Since the basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as before. The description of the drawings and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.
　第３実施形態に係る液晶表示装置１は、図６に示すように視聴者部位検出部である顔検出部４２が視聴者の左右の目及びその間隔Ｄｔを検出する。そして、視聴距離推定部３１は顔検出部４２が検出した視聴者の左右の目の間隔Ｄｔに基づいて視聴距離を推定する。 In the liquid crystal display device 1 according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the face detection unit 42, which is a viewer part detection unit, detects the left and right eyes of the viewer and the distance Dt between them. Then, the viewing distance estimation unit 31 estimates the viewing distance based on the distance Dt between the left and right eyes of the viewer detected by the face detection unit 42.
　図示しないメモリには視聴距離が所定距離であるときの視聴者の左右の目の間隔Ｄｓ（図６の左側の矢印の間隔）に係る情報が予め記憶される。視聴距離推定部３１はメモリに予め記憶した視聴距離が所定距離であるときの左右の目の間隔Ｄｓと、カメラ４１が撮影した視聴者の左右の目の間隔Ｄｔとを比較して視聴距離が所定距離以下であるか否かを判定する。 In a memory (not shown), information related to the distance Ds between the left and right eyes of the viewer when the viewing distance is a predetermined distance (interval between arrows on the left side in FIG. 6) is stored in advance. The viewing distance estimation unit 31 compares the distance Ds between the left and right eyes when the viewing distance stored in advance in the memory is a predetermined distance and the distance Dt between the left and right eyes of the viewer photographed by the camera 41 to determine the viewing distance. It is determined whether or not the distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance.
　この構成によれば、液晶表示装置１はカメラ４１が撮影した視聴者の画像から視聴者の身体の部位のサイズに基づいて容易に視聴距離を推定することができる。したがって、その視聴距離に対応して自動的に画面１０ａの明るさを調整することが可能である。 According to this configuration, the liquid crystal display device 1 can easily estimate the viewing distance from the viewer's image taken by the camera 41 based on the size of the part of the viewer's body. Therefore, it is possible to automatically adjust the brightness of the screen 10a in accordance with the viewing distance.
＜第４実施形態＞
　次に、本発明の第４実施形態に係る液晶表示装置について、図７～図１０を用いて説明する。図７は液晶表示装置の構成を示すブロック図、図８は液晶表示装置の視聴距離の推定に係る説明図、図９は液晶表示装置のタッチパネルの検出モードを示す表、図１０は液晶表示装置の画面明るさの変更制御を示すフローチャートである。なお、この実施形態の基本的な構成は先に説明した前記第１～第３実施形態と同じであるので、これらの実施形態と共通する構成要素には前と同じ符号を付し、図面の記載及びその詳細説明を省略するものとする。 <Fourth embodiment>
Next, a liquid crystal display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the liquid crystal display device, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram relating to estimation of the viewing distance of the liquid crystal display device, FIG. 9 is a table showing the detection mode of the touch panel of the liquid crystal display device, and FIG. It is a flowchart which shows change control of the screen brightness of. Since the basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first to third embodiments described above, the same components as those of the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the previous drawings. Description and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
　第４実施形態に係る液晶表示装置１は、図７に示すようにタッチパネル６１及びタッチパネル信号処理部６２を備える。 The liquid crystal display device 1 according to the fourth embodiment includes a touch panel 61 and a touch panel signal processing unit 62 as shown in FIG.
　タッチパネル６１は静電容量方式であって、図８に破線で描画したように液晶パネル１０の画面１０ａ上に重ねて配置される。液晶パネル１０は画面１０ａに入力や設定、指示などの項目を、液晶を用いて表示することができ、視聴者がタッチパネル６１に指などで接触することにより画面１０ａに表示した項目の選択やキーの入力を受け付ける。 The touch panel 61 is an electrostatic capacity type, and is arranged on the screen 10a of the liquid crystal panel 10 as drawn by a broken line in FIG. The liquid crystal panel 10 can display items such as inputs, settings, and instructions on the screen 10a using liquid crystal. Selection of the items and keys displayed on the screen 10a when the viewer touches the touch panel 61 with a finger or the like. Accepts input.
　タッチパネル信号処理部６２はタッチパネル６１に対するユーザーの指などの接触を検出する。タッチパネル信号処理部６２がタッチパネル６１から得た情報、すなわちタッチパネル６１に対する視聴者のキー入力の情報は図示しない主制御部に送信される。 The touch panel signal processing unit 62 detects contact of the user's finger or the like with respect to the touch panel 61. Information obtained by the touch panel signal processing unit 62 from the touch panel 61, that is, information on key input by the viewer to the touch panel 61 is transmitted to a main control unit (not shown).
　そして、液晶表示装置１は視聴者識別部４０に、画面１０ａの前方の視聴者の有無を検出する視聴者有無検出部として機能するタッチパネル６１を用いる。このため、液晶表示装置１は、図９に示すようにタッチパネル６１を、視聴者の有無を検出する第１モードと、通常の接近する指の座標を検出する第２モードとの２つのモードで動作させる。 The liquid crystal display device 1 uses a touch panel 61 that functions as a viewer presence / absence detection unit that detects the presence / absence of a viewer in front of the screen 10a in the viewer identification unit 40. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9, the liquid crystal display device 1 uses the touch panel 61 in two modes: a first mode for detecting the presence of a viewer and a second mode for detecting the coordinates of a normal approaching finger. Make it work.
　視聴者の有無を検出する第１モードのとき、タッチパネル６１はセンシングゲインを通常より大きくして容量変化を敏感に感知できるようにし、視聴者の接近を検知する。このとき、消費電力の増加が懸念されるので、センシング周波数を通常より小さくし、センシング領域を通常より狭くする。センシング周波数は、例えば通常の第２モード時が１００Ｈｚ等であるのに対し、第１モード時に１０Ｈｚ等に設定する。センシング領域は、例えば図８に示すように通常の第２モード時が画面１０ａ全面であるのに対し、第１モード時に下側の一部の領域６１ａに設定する。 In the first mode for detecting the presence or absence of the viewer, the touch panel 61 increases the sensing gain so that it can sense the change in capacity sensitively and detects the approach of the viewer. At this time, since there is a concern about an increase in power consumption, the sensing frequency is made smaller than usual, and the sensing area is made narrower than usual. The sensing frequency is set to 10 Hz or the like in the first mode, for example, while the normal second mode is 100 Hz or the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the sensing area is set to a partial area 61a on the lower side in the first mode, while the normal second mode is the entire screen 10a.
　視聴距離推定部６３はタッチパネル６１が検出した視聴者の位置情報に基づいて視聴距離を推定する。 The viewing distance estimation unit 63 estimates the viewing distance based on the viewer position information detected by the touch panel 61.
　続いて、液晶表示装置１の画面１０ａの明るさの変更制御について、図１０に示すフローに沿って説明する。 Subsequently, the brightness change control of the screen 10a of the liquid crystal display device 1 will be described along the flow shown in FIG.
　液晶表示装置１の駆動が開始されると（図１０のスタート）、液晶表示装置１は画面１０ａの明るさを通常通りに設定して画像信号取得部３が取得した画像を画面１０ａに表示するとともに、タッチパネル６１を第１モードで動作させて視聴者の検出を開始する（図１０のステップ＃２０１）。 When driving of the liquid crystal display device 1 is started (start of FIG. 10), the liquid crystal display device 1 sets the brightness of the screen 10a as usual and displays the image acquired by the image signal acquisition unit 3 on the screen 10a. At the same time, the touch panel 61 is operated in the first mode to start the viewer detection (step # 201 in FIG. 10).
　次に、視聴距離推定部６３が、タッチパネル６１が検出した視聴者の位置情報に基づいて視聴距離を推定する。（ステップ＃２０２）。 Next, the viewing distance estimation unit 63 estimates the viewing distance based on the position information of the viewer detected by the touch panel 61. (Step # 202).
　続いて、視聴距離推定部６３は視聴距離が所定距離以下であるか否かを判定する（ステップ＃２０３）。視聴距離が所定距離以下ではない場合（ステップ＃２０３のＮｏ）、ステップ＃２０１に戻り、引き続きタッチパネル６１を第１モードで動作させて視聴者の検出を継続する。 Subsequently, the viewing distance estimation unit 63 determines whether or not the viewing distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance (step # 203). If the viewing distance is not less than the predetermined distance (No in Step # 203), the process returns to Step # 201, and the touch panel 61 is continuously operated in the first mode to continue detecting the viewer.
　一方、視聴距離が所定距離以下である場合（ステップ＃２０３のＹｅｓ）、画面調整部５０として機能する液晶パネル制御部４またはＬＥＤ制御部６が画面１０ａの明るさを通常より低下させるとともに、タッチパネル６１を第２モードで動作させて視聴者の指の座標を検出する（ステップ＃２０４）。予め設定した一定時間の間、タッチパネル６１が操作されない状態になるまで、画面１０ａの明るさを通常より低下させ、タッチパネル６１を第２モードで動作させる状態を継続する（ステップ＃２０５のＮｏ）。 On the other hand, when the viewing distance is equal to or less than the predetermined distance (Yes in Step # 203), the liquid crystal panel control unit 4 or the LED control unit 6 functioning as the screen adjustment unit 50 lowers the brightness of the screen 10a from the normal level, and touches the touch panel. 61 is operated in the second mode to detect the coordinates of the finger of the viewer (step # 204). Until the touch panel 61 is not operated for a predetermined time set in advance, the brightness of the screen 10a is decreased from the normal level and the state in which the touch panel 61 is operated in the second mode is continued (No in step # 205).
　予め設定した一定時間の間、タッチパネル６１が操作されない状態になると（ステップ＃２０５のＹｅｓ）、画面１０ａの明るさを通常より低下させたままで、タッチパネル６１を第１モードで動作させて視聴者の検出を開始する（ステップ＃２０６）。そして、ステップ＃２０２に戻り、視聴距離推定部６３が、タッチパネル６１が検出した視聴者の位置情報に基づいて視聴距離を推定する。 If the touch panel 61 is not operated for a predetermined time (Yes in Step # 205), the touch panel 61 is operated in the first mode while the brightness of the screen 10a is lowered than usual, and the viewer's Detection is started (step # 206). Then, returning to step # 202, the viewing distance estimation unit 63 estimates the viewing distance based on the position information of the viewer detected by the touch panel 61.
　このようにして、視聴者識別部４０は画面１０ａの前方の視聴者の有無を検出するタッチパネル６１からなり、視聴距離推定部６３はタッチパネル６１が検出した視聴者の位置情報に基づいて視聴距離を推定する。これにより、液晶表示装置１は人感センサとして機能するタッチパネル６１を用いて画面１０ａの前方に存在する視聴者に係る情報を識別することができる。したがって、液晶表示装置１はタッチパネル６１を用いてより簡単に視聴距離を推定することが可能である。 In this way, the viewer identification unit 40 includes the touch panel 61 that detects the presence or absence of a viewer in front of the screen 10a, and the viewing distance estimation unit 63 determines the viewing distance based on the viewer position information detected by the touch panel 61. presume. Thereby, the liquid crystal display device 1 can identify information relating to a viewer existing in front of the screen 10a using the touch panel 61 functioning as a human sensor. Therefore, the liquid crystal display device 1 can more easily estimate the viewing distance using the touch panel 61.
　以上、本発明の実施形態につき説明したが、本発明の範囲はこれに限定されるものではなく、発明の主旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々の変更を加えて実施することができる。 The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
　例えば、上記第１実施形態ではカメラ４１が撮影した画像から視聴者の身体の部位を検出する視聴者部位検出部として顔部分を検出する顔検出部４２を用いたが、視聴者の身体の検出部位は顔に限定されるわけではなく、他の部位であっても良い。 For example, in the first embodiment, the face detection unit 42 that detects the face part is used as the viewer part detection unit that detects the part of the viewer's body from the image captured by the camera 41. The part is not limited to the face, but may be another part.
　また、上記第４実施形態では画面１０ａの前方の視聴者の有無を検出する視聴者有無検出部としてタッチパネル６１を用いたが、視聴者有無検出部はタッチパネルに限定されるわけでない。視聴者有無検出部は、例えば赤外線センサや超音波センサなどといった他の方式のセンサや検出器を用いて視聴者の有無を検出するようにしても良い。 In the fourth embodiment, the touch panel 61 is used as the viewer presence / absence detection unit that detects the presence / absence of the viewer in front of the screen 10a. However, the viewer presence / absence detection unit is not limited to the touch panel. The viewer presence / absence detection unit may detect the presence / absence of the viewer using a sensor or a detector of another method such as an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor.
　本発明は表示装置及びその制御方法において利用可能である。 The present invention can be used in a display device and its control method.
　　　１　　液晶表示装置（表示装置）
　　　４　　液晶パネル制御部（表示制御部）
　　　６　　ＬＥＤ制御部（照明制御部）
　　　１０　　液晶パネル（表示部）
　　　１０ａ　　画面
　　　２０　　バックライトユニット（照明部）
　　　３０　　画像信号処理部
　　　３１、６３　　視聴距離推定部
　　　４０　　視聴者識別部
　　　４１　　カメラ（撮像部）
　　　４２　　顔検出部（視聴者部位検出部）
　　　５０　　画面調整部
　　　６１　　タッチパネル（視聴者有無検出部）
　　　６２　　タッチパネル信号処理部 1 Liquid crystal display device (display device)
4 LCD panel controller (display controller)
6 LED controller (lighting controller)
10 Liquid crystal panel (display unit)
10a Screen 20 Backlight unit (lighting unit)
30 Image signal processing unit 31, 63 Viewing distance estimation unit 40 Viewer identification unit 41 Camera (imaging unit)
42 Face detection unit (viewer part detection unit)
50 Screen adjustment unit 61 Touch panel (viewer presence / absence detection unit)
62 Touch panel signal processor

Claims (10)

  1. 　画像を画面に表示する表示部と、
    　前記表示部に対して面状光を照射する照明部と、
    　前記画面の前方に存在する視聴者に係る情報を識別する視聴者識別部と、
    　前記視聴者識別部が識別した前記視聴者に係る情報に基づいて前記画面と前記視聴者との間の視聴距離を推定する視聴距離推定部と、
    　前記視聴距離推定部が推定した前記視聴距離が所定距離以下であるときに前記画面の明るさを従前の明るさより低下させる画面調整部と、
    　を備えることを特徴とする表示装置。     A display for displaying images on the screen;
    An illumination unit that emits planar light to the display unit;
    A viewer identifying unit for identifying information relating to a viewer existing in front of the screen;
    A viewing distance estimating unit that estimates a viewing distance between the screen and the viewer based on information related to the viewer identified by the viewer identifying unit;
    A screen adjustment unit that reduces the brightness of the screen from the previous brightness when the viewing distance estimated by the viewing distance estimation unit is a predetermined distance or less;
    A display device comprising:
  2. 　前記画面調整部は前記視聴距離が所定距離以下であるときに前記照明部を制御して前記面状光の輝度を従前の輝度より低下させることにより前記画面の明るさを低下させる照明制御部からなることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の表示装置。 The screen adjustment unit controls the illumination unit when the viewing distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance to reduce the brightness of the screen by reducing the brightness of the planar light from the previous brightness. The display device according to claim 1, wherein:
  3. 　前記画面調整部は前記視聴距離が所定距離以下であるときに前記表示部を制御して前記画像自体の輝度を従前の輝度より低下させることにより前記画面の明るさを低下させる表示制御部からなることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の表示装置。 The screen adjustment unit includes a display control unit that controls the display unit when the viewing distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance to reduce the brightness of the screen by reducing the luminance of the image itself from the previous luminance. The display device according to claim 1.
  4. 　前記視聴者識別部は前記画面の前方に向けられて前記視聴者の画像を撮影する撮像部と、前記撮像部が撮影した前記画像から前記視聴者の身体の部位を検出する視聴者部位検出部と、からなり、
    　前記視聴距離推定部は前記視聴者部位検出部が検出した前記視聴者の身体の部位のサイズに基づいて前記視聴距離を推定することを特徴とする請求項１～請求項３のいずれか１項に記載の表示装置。     The viewer identification unit is directed to the front of the screen to capture an image of the viewer, and a viewer part detection unit that detects a part of the viewer's body from the image captured by the imaging unit And consists of
    4. The viewing distance estimation unit estimates the viewing distance based on a size of a part of the viewer's body detected by the viewer part detection unit. The display device described in 1.
  5. 　前記視聴者部位検出部は前記視聴者の左右の目及びその間隔を検出し、
    　前記視聴距離推定部は前記視聴者部位検出部が検出した前記視聴者の左右の目の間隔に基づいて前記視聴距離を推定することを特徴とする請求項４に記載の表示装置。     The viewer part detection unit detects left and right eyes of the viewer and an interval between them.
    The display device according to claim 4, wherein the viewing distance estimation unit estimates the viewing distance based on an interval between left and right eyes of the viewer detected by the viewer part detection unit.
  6. 　前記視聴者識別部は前記画面の前方の前記視聴者の有無を検出する視聴者有無検出部からなり、
    　前記視聴距離推定部は前記視聴者有無検出部が検出した前記視聴者の位置情報に基づいて前記視聴距離を推定することを特徴とする請求項１～請求項３のいずれか１項に記載の表示装置。     The viewer identification unit includes a viewer presence / absence detection unit that detects presence / absence of the viewer in front of the screen,
    4. The viewing distance estimating unit estimates the viewing distance based on position information of the viewer detected by the viewer presence / absence detecting unit. Display device.
  7. 　前記視聴者有無検出部は静電容量方式のタッチパネルからなることを特徴とする請求項６に記載の表示装置。 The display device according to claim 6, wherein the viewer presence / absence detecting unit includes a capacitive touch panel.
  8. 　照明部から表示部に対して面状光を照射することにより前記表示部の画面に画像を表示する表示装置の制御方法であって、
    　前記画面の前方に存在する視聴者に係る情報を識別する視聴者識別ステップと、
    　前記視聴者に係る情報に基づいて前記画面と前記視聴者との間の視聴距離を推定する視聴距離推定ステップと、
    　前記視聴距離が所定距離以下であるときに前記画面の明るさを従前の明るさより低下させる画面調整ステップと、
    　を有することを特徴とする表示装置の制御方法。     A control method for a display device that displays an image on a screen of the display unit by irradiating the display unit with planar light from an illumination unit,
    A viewer identification step for identifying information relating to a viewer existing in front of the screen;
    A viewing distance estimation step of estimating a viewing distance between the screen and the viewer based on information relating to the viewer;
    A screen adjustment step of reducing the brightness of the screen from the previous brightness when the viewing distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance;
    A control method for a display device, comprising:
  9. 　前記視聴者識別ステップは前記視聴者の画像を撮影する撮像ステップと、前記撮像ステップで撮影した前記画像から前記視聴者の身体の部位を検出する視聴者部位検出ステップと、からなり、
    　前記視聴距離推定ステップは前記視聴者部位検出ステップで検出した前記視聴者の身体の部位のサイズに基づいて前記視聴距離を推定することを特徴とする請求項８に記載の表示装置の制御方法。     The viewer identification step includes an imaging step of capturing an image of the viewer, and a viewer part detection step of detecting a part of the viewer's body from the image captured in the imaging step.
    9. The display device control method according to claim 8, wherein the viewing distance estimation step estimates the viewing distance based on a size of a body part of the viewer detected in the viewer part detection step.
  10. 　前記視聴者識別ステップは前記画面の前方の前記視聴者の有無を検出する視聴者有無検出ステップからなり、
    　前記視聴距離推定ステップは前記視聴者有無検出ステップで検出した前記視聴者の位置情報に基づいて前記視聴距離を推定することを特徴とする請求項８に記載の表示装置の制御方法。     The viewer identification step comprises a viewer presence / absence detection step for detecting presence / absence of the viewer in front of the screen,
    9. The display device control method according to claim 8, wherein the viewing distance estimation step estimates the viewing distance based on position information of the viewer detected in the viewer presence / absence detection step.
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