WO2012176683A1 - Image display device and image display system - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is an image display device that can adjust display brightness more suitably on the basis of brightness actually recognized by a user. A liquid crystal display device (2) can receive image data sent by glasses (3), which are worn by an observer and which can transmit image data for the direction the observer faces. The liquid crystal display device (2) is provided with: a signal receiving section (26) that receives image data; a liquid crystal panel (21) that can display images; and a light source output control section (274) that controls the brightness of a backlight for the liquid crystal display panel (21) on the basis of image data received by the signal receiving section (26).

Description

Image display device and image display system

The present invention relates to an image display device and an image display system, and more particularly to an image display device capable of adjusting the brightness of a display screen and an image display system including the image display device.

As an image display device such as a computer display or a television, a configuration including a liquid crystal display panel and a backlight is known. In such an image display device, an image is displayed by controlling the transmission of light by the birefringence and optical rotation of the liquid crystal. In the image display device, the brightness of the backlight can be adjusted so that the brightness is easy to see for the user.

Here, a configuration has been proposed in which the brightness of the liquid crystal display panel is automatically adjusted. For example, a configuration described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-72255 is known. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-72255 describes a system including a remote controller and an image display device. The image display device includes a backlight, a liquid crystal display panel, a light receiving sensor, and a signal receiving unit. The light receiving sensor is provided on a frame that supports the liquid crystal display panel. At the tip of the remote controller, a signal transmission unit and a light receiving sensor are provided.

In the configuration of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-72255, information regarding the amount of light received by the light receiving sensor is transmitted from the signal transmission unit when the tip of the remote controller is operated toward the image display device. The signal transmitted by the signal transmission unit is received by the signal reception unit of the image display device. The output of the backlight is adjusted based on the light amount information received by the signal receiving unit and the light amount information received by the light receiving sensor attached to the frame.

In the configuration of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-72255, the light receiving sensor is provided in each of the frame of the liquid crystal display panel and the remote controller, and receives ambient light. However, the brightness detected by the light receiving sensor provided on the frame or the light receiving sensor provided on the remote controller is different from the brightness actually observed by the user. For this reason, in the configuration described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-72255, it may not be possible to adjust the brightness to an appropriate level for the user.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image display device capable of adjusting display luminance more appropriately based on brightness actually recognized by a user.

In order to solve the above problems, an image display device according to the present invention is an image display device capable of acquiring image data and receiving the image data transmitted from a wearable item that can be worn by a user. Unit, a display unit, and a luminance control unit. The receiving unit receives image data. The brightness control unit controls the brightness of the image display unit based on the brightness of the image data received by the receiving unit.

In the image display device according to the present invention, in order to adjust the brightness of the image display unit based on the image data acquired by the wearable worn by the user, a light receiving sensor is provided in the frame of the remote controller or the image display device, Compared with the case where the luminance of the image display device is adjusted based on the amount of light received by the sensor, it becomes easier to adjust the luminance to be appropriate for the user.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a liquid crystal display device of an image display system according to an embodiment of the present invention and an observer observing the liquid crystal display device. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the glasses. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display device and glasses. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between adaptation luminance and object luminance. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between adaptation luminance and light source output. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which an observer observes the liquid crystal display device and the liquid crystal display device of the image display system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display device and glasses according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which light is received by the light receiving unit of the glasses. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a calculation range of the light receiving unit. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a liquid crystal display device and an observer observing the liquid crystal display device of the image display system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display device and a remote controller according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display device and glasses according to the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a pair of infrared sensors and an observer. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the brightness control operation. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a liquid crystal display device and an observer observing the liquid crystal display device of the image forming system according to the fourth embodiment.

An image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:
A receiving unit that receives the data from a wearable that can acquire data representing brightness in the observation direction of the user in a state worn by the user during observation;
An image display unit;
Based on the data received by the reception unit, a luminance calculation unit that calculates brightness in the observation direction of the user;
And a brightness control unit that controls the brightness of the image display unit based on a calculation result by the brightness calculation unit (first configuration).

According to the first configuration, the data representing the brightness in the viewing direction of the user is acquired by the wearing object worn by the user, and the data is received by the receiving unit. The luminance calculation unit calculates the brightness in the observation direction of the user based on the data received by the reception unit, and the luminance of the image display unit is controlled based on the calculation result. That is, the brightness of the image display device is adjusted based on the amount of light received by the light receiving sensor provided in the frame of the remote controller or the image display device by using data acquired by the wearable item worn by the user. Compared to the conventional configuration, there is an effect that the user can easily adjust the luminance to an appropriate luminance according to the situation actually observed.

An image display system according to another aspect of the present invention includes:
An image display system including an image display device and a wearing object worn by a user when observing the image display device,
The wearing object is a data acquisition unit that acquires data representing brightness in the observation direction of the user in a state worn by the user during observation of the image display device;
A transmission unit for transmitting the data to the image display device,
The image display device includes:
A receiving unit for receiving the data from the wearing article;
An image display unit;
Based on the data received by the reception unit, a luminance calculation unit that calculates brightness in the observation direction of the user;
And a luminance control unit that controls the luminance of the image display unit based on a calculation result by the luminance calculation unit (second configuration).

Also in the second configuration, the data representing the brightness in the viewing direction of the user is acquired by the wearing object worn by the user, and the data is received by the receiving unit. The luminance calculation unit calculates the brightness in the observation direction of the user based on the data received by the reception unit, and the luminance of the image display unit is controlled based on the calculation result. That is, the brightness of the image display device is adjusted based on the amount of light received by the light receiving sensor provided in the frame of the remote controller or the image display device by using data acquired by the wearable item worn by the user. Compared to the conventional configuration, the second configuration has an effect that it is easy to adjust the luminance to an appropriate level according to the situation that the user is actually observing.

In the second configuration,
The data acquisition unit includes an image sensor that detects a spatial distribution of light as two-dimensional image data;
The luminance calculation unit may be configured to calculate brightness in the observation direction of the user based on luminance data of at least some pixels of the image data (third configuration).

According to the third configuration, since the luminance can be adjusted in consideration of the spatial distribution of light, there is an effect that it is easy to adjust the luminance to an appropriate luminance according to the situation that the user is actually observing. Since the area that the user actually observes is a space having a certain extent, the user actually observes by using the luminance data of at least some pixels of the image data obtained therefrom. Control according to the situation becomes possible.

In the third configuration,
It is preferable that the data acquisition unit further includes a wide-angle lens on the light incident side with respect to the image sensor (fourth configuration).

According to the third configuration, since the wide angle lens is arranged on the light incident side of the image sensor, a wider range of images can be acquired.

In the fourth configuration,
The image display device includes:
A data selection unit for selecting luminance data of pixels belonging to a predetermined viewing angle range from the image data;
It is preferable that the luminance calculation unit is configured to calculate the brightness in the observation direction of the user based on the luminance data selected by the data selection unit (fifth configuration).

According to this configuration, since the brightness of the image display unit is controlled based on the brightness of an image in a range that is highly likely to be visually recognized by the user, it is easy to adjust the brightness to be more appropriate for the user.

In any one of the second to fifth configurations,
A wear detecting unit for detecting whether or not the user wears the wearing object;
It is preferable that the data acquisition unit acquires data representing the brightness in the observation direction of the user after the mounting detection unit detects that the user has mounted the mounted item (sixth configuration).
According to this configuration, since the brightness data is acquired after confirming that the user has mounted the mounted object, it is possible to efficiently acquire appropriate image data.

In any one of the second to sixth configurations,
The image display device includes:
A human detection sensor;
A distance detection unit that detects a distance to the person detected by the person detection sensor;
When the person detection sensor detects a plurality of persons, the brightness control unit calculates the brightness of the image display device based on the data obtained from the attachments of the plurality of persons, and the calculated brightness It is preferable that the luminance of the image display device is controlled based on the average value (seventh configuration).

According to this configuration, even when a plurality of users observe, since it is controlled to the average value of the brightness calculated for each data obtained from the wearables of each user, the image display device is easy to see. It is possible to prevent an increase in the bias.

In any one of the second to seventh configurations,
A remote controller for controlling the image display device;
The remote controller is
An ambient data acquisition unit that acquires data representing the brightness around the remote controller;
An image data transmission unit that transmits data acquired by the ambient data acquisition unit to the image display device as data representing brightness in the observation direction of the user;
It is preferable that the brightness calculation unit calculates the brightness in the observation direction of the user based on data received from the remote controller (eighth configuration).

According to this configuration, the brightness data is acquired by the ambient data acquisition unit of the remote controller, and the luminance calculation unit uses the data acquired by the remote controller as data representing the brightness in the observation direction of the user. Perform the operation. Thereby, for example, even when the user is not wearing a wearing object, the luminance can be adjusted based on the data obtained from the remote controller.

In any one of the second to eighth configurations, the image display device may be a device capable of displaying a stereoscopic image on the image display unit (9th configuration).

In any one of the second to ninth configurations, the wearing object may be glasses (tenth configuration).

Hereinafter, more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, an image display system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

<overall structure>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which an observer observes the image display system 1. The image display system 1 mainly includes a liquid crystal display device 2 and glasses 3. Arrows A to E indicate light. Arrows A and E are light that is not visually recognized by the observer. Arrows B to D are light visually recognized by an observer. An arrow C is light traveling from the liquid crystal display device 2 toward the observer. Arrows B and D are lights other than the light from the liquid crystal display device 2 visually recognized by the observer.

The liquid crystal display device 2 includes a liquid crystal display panel 21, a frame 22, and a signal receiving unit 23.

The liquid crystal display panel 21 displays an image on the surface by appropriately transmitting light.

The frame 22 supports the liquid crystal display panel 21. The frame 22 has a back surface portion that covers the back surface of the liquid crystal display panel 21 and a front surface portion provided around the liquid crystal display panel 21. The frame 22 is made of resin, for example. In addition to the liquid crystal display panel 21, buttons 221, etc. for operating speakers and channels (not shown) are arranged on the frame 22.

The signal receiving unit 23 is a part capable of receiving a signal from the glasses 3. The signal receiving unit 23 is provided in the frame 22. In this embodiment, the signal receiving unit 23 is disposed below the liquid crystal display panel 21, but is not limited to this position.

The eyeglasses 3 are worn by an observer of the liquid crystal display device 2. The kind of glasses 3 is arbitrary. As the glasses 3, for example, glasses having a function of assisting the visual acuity of an observer of the liquid crystal display device 2 or reducing fatigue when viewing the liquid crystal display device 2 can be used. FIG. 2 is an external view of the glasses 3. The glasses 3 include a glasses frame 31, a lens 32, and a light receiving unit 33.

The light receiving unit 33 includes, for example, a CCD type image sensor or a CMOS type image sensor, receives light in a direction facing the observer wearing the glasses 3, and outputs it as two-dimensional digital image data. The light receiving unit 33 is attached to the glasses frame 31. As shown in FIG. 1, the light receiving unit 33 receives light indicated by arrows A to E when the observer is looking at the liquid crystal display panel 21 of the liquid crystal display device 2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the liquid crystal display device 2 and the glasses 3. The configuration of the liquid crystal display device 2 and the glasses 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

The liquid crystal display device 2 includes a backlight 24 and a control unit 25 in addition to the liquid crystal display panel 21 and the signal receiving unit 23.

The backlight 24 irradiates the liquid crystal display panel 21 with light. The backlight 24 has a plurality of light sources and a light guide plate. The backlight 24 is disposed on the back surface of the liquid crystal display panel 21 between the front surface portion and the back surface portion of the frame 22. As the light source of the backlight 24, for example, an LED or a cold cathode ray tube can be used.

The control unit 25 is a part that controls the functional units of the liquid crystal display device 2 including the liquid crystal display panel 21 and the backlight 24. The control unit 25 includes a storage unit 251, a luminance calculation unit 252, a light source output calculation unit 253, and a light source output control unit (luminance control unit) 254. Note that the luminance calculation unit 252, the light source output calculation unit 253, and the light source output control unit 254 are not necessarily implemented as hardware. For example, the control unit 25 includes a processor, and the processor executes the program stored in the storage unit 251 so that the functions as the luminance calculation unit 252, the light source output calculation unit 253, and the light source output control unit 254 are provided. It may be embodied.

The storage unit 251 includes a ROM and a RAM, and stores various programs and data in addition to the program that controls the operation of the control unit 25 as described above. The storage unit 251 stores signal data from the signal receiving unit 23.

The luminance calculation unit 252 calculates the brightness of the image data received by the signal receiving unit 23 from the glasses 3.

The light source output calculation unit 253 calculates an output value for appropriately controlling the luminance of the backlight 24 based on the calculation result of the luminance calculation unit 252.

The light source output control unit 254 controls the luminance of the backlight 24 based on the value calculated by the light source output calculation unit 253.

The glasses 3 include a light receiving unit 33 and a signal transmission unit 34 as functional blocks.

The light receiving unit 33 includes an image sensor 331 (image data acquisition unit) and an A / D conversion unit 332. As described above, as the image sensor 331, for example, a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor can be used. A wide-angle lens may be disposed on the surface of the image sensor 331. In order to acquire a wider range of image data, it is preferable to use a lens called an “super wide-angle lens”.

In the present embodiment, image data (two-dimensional data) representing the spatial distribution of light is acquired using the image sensor 331. However, in order to obtain a simpler configuration, the brightness is not simply the image sensor but the brightness. It is possible to use an optical sensor that only acquires the level.

The image sensor 331 has a plurality of light detection elements arranged two-dimensionally. In the image sensor 331, each light detection element detects light and converts it into an electric signal. The electrical signal obtained here is sent to the A / D converter 332 for each pixel (photodetection element).

The A / D conversion unit 332 converts the electrical signal sent from the image sensor 331 into a digital signal, and outputs it to the signal transmission unit 34 as image data.

The signal transmission unit 34 transmits the image data to the liquid crystal display device 2. Note that data transmission / reception between the glasses 3 and the liquid crystal display device 2 is preferably performed by wireless communication. There is no particular limitation on the wireless communication system.

Next, the operation in which the liquid crystal display device 2 adjusts the luminance of the backlight 24 based on the image data obtained by the image sensor 331 of the glasses 3 will be described in detail.

The image data transmitted from the signal transmission unit 34 of the glasses 3 is received by the signal reception unit 23 of the liquid crystal display device 2 and stored in the storage unit 251. Then, the luminance calculation unit 252 calculates the average luminance of the image data. In the present embodiment, the luminance calculation unit 252 averages the luminance (light reception intensity) of each pixel of the image data received by the signal reception unit 23, and calculates the adaptation luminance Ys. Even when an object having the same luminance is observed, the luminance of the object is felt differently by human eyes according to the brightness (luminance) around the object. The adaptation luminance Ys means a luminance that is visually recognized when an observer observes the liquid crystal display device 2 under the influence of the brightness around the place where the liquid crystal display device 2 is disposed. . That is, the human eye adapts to the light intensity in the visual field range, and even when looking at an object having the same luminance, the human eye feels different brightness (luminance) depending on the degree of adaptation (luminance). Note that the averaging process here may be a weighted average or a weighted averaging process.

Next, the light source output calculation unit 253 calculates the luminance (light source output) of the backlight 24 using the adaptation luminance Ys obtained by the luminance calculation unit 252. Here, the light source output calculation unit 253
^{B = kY 0.31 - (mYs 0.31} + L) ··· (1)
Is used. This expression (1) is a relational expression proposed by the study of Bodmann and Haubner et al. Y is the object luminance (cd / m ² ), Ys is the adaptation luminance (cd / m ² ), and k, m, and L are constants. Note that the above-described object brightness Y corresponds to the brightness of the backlight 24 that illuminates the liquid crystal display panel 21 in the present embodiment.

The human eye adapts to light within the field of view. The constants k, m, and L are set based on human sensory characteristics that “even if different observers see the same object, each observer feels different brightness depending on the degree of adaptation of the observer”. Including the above formula (1) is defined.

The above equation (1) indicates that if the object brightness Y is controlled according to the adaptation brightness Ys so that the brightness sense value B is constant, the observer's observational vision is not impaired.

For example, in equation (1), when k = 23, m = 5.62, L = 1.65, the relationship between the object luminance Y and the adaptation luminance Ys at which the brightness sense value B is constant is: As shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis is the adaptation luminance Ys, and the vertical axis is the object luminance Y. FIG. 4 illustrates cases where the brightness sense value B is 80, 90, and 100, respectively.

For example, in each case of B = 80, 90, and 100, if the adaptation luminance Ys and the object luminance Y change so as to follow each line shown in FIG. 4 (that is, the value of B is kept constant). If the adaptation brightness Ys and the object brightness Y change), the visual characteristics of the observer are not impaired. It can be seen from FIG. 4 that the rate of change of the object brightness Y with respect to the adaptation brightness Ys is substantially constant even if the brightness sense value B is different. As described above, the object luminance Y is the luminance of the backlight that illuminates the liquid crystal display panel 21. Therefore, when the change rate of the object luminance Y with respect to the adaptation luminance Ys shown in FIG. 4 is replaced with the luminance (light source output) of the backlight 24 with respect to the adaptation luminance Ys, the relationship shown in FIG. 5 is obtained. That is, in any case of B = 80, 90, and 100 shown in FIG. 4, if the light source output when the adaptation luminance Ys is about 300 (cd / m ² ) is approximately 100%, the adaptation luminance Ys. Is about 70% (cd / m ² ), the light source output is about 70%. Then, while the adaptation luminance Ys changes from about 50 (cd / m ² ) to about 300 (cd / m ² ), the light source output changes substantially linearly from about 70% to 100%.

The relationship between the adaptation luminance Ys and the light source output shown in FIG. 5 is stored in a memory (not shown) in the light source output calculation unit 253. When the light source output calculation unit 253 receives the value of the adaptation luminance Ys calculated by the luminance calculation unit 252, the light source output calculation unit 253 refers to the memory and determines the light source output according to the input value of the adaptation luminance Ys. The light source output data determined by the light source output calculation unit 253 is sent to the light source output control unit 254, and the luminance of the backlight 24 is adjusted based on the light source output data received by the light source output control unit 254.

As described above, in the configuration of the present embodiment, image data is acquired by the image sensor 331 of the glasses 3 worn by the observer, and the luminance calculation unit 252 obtains the adaptive luminance Ys from the image data. Then, the light source output calculation unit 253 obtains the light source output according to the adaptation luminance Ys, and the luminance of the backlight 24 is controlled according to the obtained value. In this way, by actually controlling the luminance of the backlight based on the image data obtained by the image sensor 331 of the glasses 3 worn when the observer views the liquid crystal display device 2, the liquid crystal display device 2 is actually observed. The brightness can be adjusted based on the user's feeling. This is because the image data obtained by the image sensor 331 of the glasses 3 generally includes an image in a range actually viewed by the observer. For this reason, it can adjust to the brightness | luminance which is easy to see for a user.

[Second Embodiment]
The image display system 12 according to the second embodiment is different from the image display system according to the first embodiment in the configuration of the control unit of the liquid crystal display device. More specifically, in the first embodiment, the luminance is calculated using all the pixels of the image data obtained by the image sensor 331. On the other hand, the present embodiment is different in that a range visually recognized by the user is set in advance, and brightness is calculated only for image data within the range. In the following description, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which an observer is observing the image display system 12 according to the second embodiment.

The range indicated by a broken line in FIG. 6 is a range visually recognized by an observer. That is, among the arrows A to E shown in FIG. 6, the range including the light of the arrows B to D is a range visually recognized by the observer. On the other hand, arrows A and E are light that enters the image sensor 331 of the glasses 3 but is outside the range visually recognized by the observer.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a liquid crystal display device 62 and glasses 3 according to the second embodiment.

The control unit 37 is a part that controls each functional unit such as the liquid crystal display panel 21 and the backlight 24. The control unit 37 includes a storage unit 371, a visual field luminance calculation unit 372, a light source output calculation unit 373, a light source output control unit 374, and a calculation range selection unit 375. Note that the visual field luminance calculation unit 372, the light source output calculation unit 373, the light source output control unit 374, and the calculation range selection unit 375 are not necessarily implemented as hardware. For example, the control unit 37 includes a processor, and when the processor executes a program stored in the storage unit 351, the visual field luminance calculation unit 372, the light source output calculation unit 373, the light source output control unit 374, and the calculation range selection unit A mode in which the functions of 375 are implemented may be possible.

The storage unit 371 includes a ROM and a RAM, and stores various programs and data in addition to the program that controls the operation of the control unit 37 as described above. The storage unit 371 stores the signal data from the signal receiving unit 23.

The visual field luminance calculation unit 372 calculates the brightness of the image data received by the signal receiving unit 23 from the glasses 3. Note that the calculation range selection unit 375 selects a range that is subject to brightness calculation by the visual field luminance calculation unit 372 among all the pixels of the image data.

The light source output calculation unit 373 calculates an output value for appropriately controlling the luminance of the backlight 24 based on the calculation result of the visual field luminance calculation unit 372.

The light source output control unit 374 controls the luminance of the backlight 24 based on the value calculated by the light source output calculation unit 373.

The light receiving unit 33 of the glasses 3 has a super wide angle lens 333 on the light incident side to the image sensor 331. For this reason, the light transmitted through the super wide-angle lens 333 is received by the image sensor 331. The super wide angle lens 333 is a lens having a shorter focal length than the wide angle lens.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which light is received by the light receiving unit 33 of the glasses 3.

The super wide-angle lens 333 (not shown in FIG. 8) is arranged in a direction in which the optical axis is orthogonal to the frame surface of the spectacle frame 31 of the spectacles 3. Therefore, the super wide-angle lens 333 receives light from the directions indicated by arrows A to E in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, with respect to the origin О, the light receiving part 33 is the origin О, the left and right direction of the observer wearing the glasses 3 is the X axis, and the front and rear direction is the Y axis (the optical axis of the super wide angle lens 333). The vertical direction is the Z axis. On the XY plane, if the angle from the Y-axis is φ and the angle from the Z-axis is θ, the light ray r enters the super wide-angle lens 333 with an azimuth angle φr and a polar angle θr.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a calculation range of the light receiving unit 33. The calculation range selection unit 375 selects the range of light recognized by the observer from the light observed by the observer through the glasses 3. Specifically, the calculation range selection unit 375 selects a predetermined angle range around the direction in which the observer is facing. The predetermined angle range is, for example, a range of a horizontal angle of ± 60 degrees and a vertical angle of ± 30 degrees. The selected range is a range of azimuth angle φ1 (± 60 ° from Y axis) on image sensor 331 shown in FIG. 9, and polar angle θ2 (60 °) and polar angle θ4 (120 °). ) (A hatched portion in FIG. 9).

In this way, by selecting only pixels belonging to a predetermined angle range on the image sensor 331 as a calculation target in the visual field luminance calculation unit 372, the calculation range selection unit 375 can be visually recognized by an observer wearing the glasses 3. Only the brightness of the range is detected. For example, out of the light indicated by arrows A to E in FIG. 6, only the brightness information based on the light indicated by arrows B to D can be set as a calculation target in the visual field luminance calculation unit 372.

The visual field luminance calculation unit 372 calculates the adaptation luminance Ys by performing the averaging process only on the pixels within the range selected by the calculation range selection unit 375. The calculation of the adaptation luminance Ys by the visual field luminance calculation unit 372 is the same as the processing by the luminance calculation unit 252 in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. The processing of the light source output calculation unit 373 and the light source output control unit 374 is the same as that of the light source output calculation unit 253 and the light source output control unit 254 in the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the configuration in which the range for obtaining the luminance is selected by the calculation process of the calculation range selection unit 375 of the control unit 37 is exemplified. However, the image forming system 12 uses the function of a lens provided as an ultra-wide-angle lens 333 on the incident side of the image sensor 331, so that only light in a range that is viewed by an observer (range indicated by arrows BD in the example of FIG. You may make it inject into the image sensor 331. FIG. This can be realized, for example, by adjusting the refractive index of the super wide-angle lens 333.

As described above, in the image forming system 12 according to the second embodiment, when calculation is performed using information on all pixels of the image sensor 331, calculation is performed on light in a range that is actually visually recognized by the observer. As compared with the above, it is possible to further adjust the luminance to be appropriate for the observer.

[Third Embodiment]
The image display system 61 according to the third embodiment differs from the image display system 11 according to the first embodiment in that the remote controller 4 and a configuration for detecting whether the observer wears the glasses 63 are included. Yes. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an observer observing the image display system 61 and the liquid crystal display device 62 according to the third embodiment.

The liquid crystal display device 62 includes a liquid crystal display panel 21, a frame 22, a signal receiving unit 23, an infrared LED 621, and a person detection sensor 622.

The infrared LED 621 emits an infrared signal. A pair of infrared LEDs 621 are attached to the frame 22. In this embodiment, the infrared LEDs 621 are arranged on both sides of the liquid crystal display panel 21 in the horizontal direction.

Person detection sensor 622 detects whether or not there is a person in front of the liquid crystal display device 62. In this embodiment, the person detection sensor 622 is provided on the frame 22 below the liquid crystal display panel 21.

Note that the attachment positions of the infrared LED 621 and the person detection sensor 622 are not limited to the positions described above.

The remote controller 4 operates the liquid crystal display device 62 at a location away from the liquid crystal display device 2. The remote controller 4 includes a housing 41, a plurality of buttons 42, a light receiving unit 43, and a signal transmission unit 44.

The light receiving unit 43 is provided at one end of the housing 41. The light receiving unit 43 calculates the brightness in the direction in which one end of the housing 41 is facing. Since the configuration of the light receiving unit 43 is the same as the configuration of the light receiving unit 33, the description thereof is omitted.

The signal transmission unit 44 transmits the signal converted by the A / D conversion unit 332 of the light receiving unit 43 to the signal reception unit 23 of the liquid crystal display device 62. The signal transmission unit 44 transmits the signal received by the light receiving unit 43 to the light reception control unit 45.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional relationship between the liquid crystal display device 62 and the remote controller 4. The liquid crystal display device 62 includes a liquid crystal display panel 21, a signal receiving unit 23, a backlight 24, a control unit 25, an infrared LED 621, and a person detection sensor 622.

The remote controller 4 has a light receiving control unit 45 in addition to the housing 41 and the plurality of buttons 42.

When receiving an instruction from the signal transmission unit 44, the light reception control unit 45 transmits a control signal so that the light reception unit 43 receives an image.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a functional relationship between the liquid crystal display device 62 and the glasses 63.

The glasses 63 are worn by an observer of the liquid crystal display device 62. The glasses 63 include a light receiving unit 632, a glasses wearing detection unit 631, a light reception control unit 633, and a signal transmission unit 34 as functional blocks.

The light receiving unit 632 receives light in the direction in which the observer wearing the glasses 63 is facing. The light receiving unit 632 can receive an infrared signal emitted by the pair of infrared LEDs 621. The light receiving unit 632 is attached to the glasses frame 31. The light receiving unit 632 includes an image sensor 636 and an A / D conversion unit 637. The image sensor 636 and the A / D conversion unit 637 have the same configuration as the image sensor 331 and the A / D conversion unit 332.

The glasses wearing detector 631 is a portion that detects whether or not the observer of the liquid crystal display panel 21 is wearing the glasses 63. Specifically, when the light receiving unit 632 receives an infrared signal emitted from the infrared LED 621, the glasses wearing detection unit 631 detects the distance between the liquid crystal display device 62 and the observer and the observer's view of the liquid crystal display device 62. Try to calculate the viewing angle. The glasses wearing detection unit 631 determines that the viewer is wearing the glasses 63 when the distance between the liquid crystal display device 62 and the viewer and the viewing angle of the viewer with respect to the liquid crystal display device 62 can be calculated. to decide. Here, the viewing angle means an angle at which the observer observes the liquid crystal display panel 21. That is, the viewing angle means an angle between a line segment orthogonal to the liquid crystal display panel 21 and a line segment connecting the center of the liquid crystal display device 62 and the center of the observer.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between a pair of infrared LEDs 621 and an observer. A and B in FIG. 13 are the positions of the infrared LEDs 621, and C is the position of the observer.

The distance D between the observer and the liquid crystal display panel 21 is
D = L (sin α−sin β) / sin (α + β)
Is required. Here, L indicates the distance between the two infrared LEDs 621.

Further, the viewing angle θ with respect to the liquid crystal display panel 21 of the observer is
When α> β, θ = arctan ((L / 2D) − (1 / tanα))
When α = β, θ = 0 °
When α <β, θ = arctan ((L / 2D) − (1 / tanβ))
Is required.

Here, α and β are calculated from the incident angle of the infrared signal when the light receiving unit 632 receives the infrared signal emitted from the infrared LED 621.

The distance L between the pair of infrared LEDs 621 is measured in advance and stored in a memory (not shown) provided in the glasses 63. The angle of the infrared LED 621 with respect to the light receiving unit 632 is detected from the image data received by the light receiving unit 632. When the distance L and the angle of the infrared LED 621 with respect to the light receiving unit 632 are obtained, the distance D and the viewing angle θ are calculated from the above calculation formula.

The light reception control unit 633 transmits an instruction signal for starting light reception by the light receiving unit 632 when the glasses wearing detection unit 631 detects that the observer is wearing the glasses 63.

The signal transmission unit 34 transmits the image data converted by the A / D conversion unit 637 to the signal reception unit 23 of the liquid crystal display device 62.

<Operation>
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the brightness control operation. Next, the operation for controlling the luminance will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, whether or not there is an observer in the vicinity of the liquid crystal display device 62 is detected by the person detection sensor 622 (S1). If it is not detected that there is an observer (NO in S1), the process waits until an observer is detected. On the other hand, when it is detected that there is an observer in the vicinity of the liquid crystal display device 62 (YES in S1), an infrared signal is emitted from the pair of infrared LEDs 621. Then, the distance between the observer and the liquid crystal display device 62 is calculated from the infrared signal (S2). Moreover, it is detected by the glasses wear detection part 631 whether the observer is wearing the glasses 63 (S3).

When it is detected that the observer is wearing the glasses 63 (YES in S3), the light reception control unit 633 instructs the light reception unit 632 to start detection. When receiving an instruction to start detection, the light receiving unit 632 receives light from the direction in which the observer is facing, that is, light from the direction in which the light receiving unit 632 of the glasses 63 is facing (S4). The light received by the image sensor 636 of the glasses 63 is converted into an electric signal by the A / D converter 637 and transmitted to the signal transmitter 34 as image data. Thereafter, the image data is transmitted from the signal transmission unit 34 toward the liquid crystal display device 62.

When it is not detected that the observer is wearing the glasses 63 (NO in S3), the light reception control unit 45 instructs the light reception unit 43 to start detection. When receiving the detection start instruction, the light receiving unit 43 receives light from the direction in which the tip of the remote controller 4 is directed, that is, the direction in which the liquid crystal display device 62 is disposed (S5). The light received by the light receiving unit 43 is converted into an electrical signal by the A / D conversion unit 332 and transmitted to the signal transmission unit 44. Thereafter, an image signal is transmitted from the signal transmission unit 44 toward the liquid crystal display device 62.

The image signal transmitted from the signal transmission unit 34 or the signal transmission unit 44 is stored in the storage unit 251. Then, the luminance calculation unit 252 calculates the luminance. Thereafter, the output of the backlight 24 is determined from the relationship shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 based on the luminance calculated by the luminance calculation unit 252. Then, the backlight 24 is controlled to the determined output value (S6).

When a plurality of observers are detected by the person detection sensor 622, the luminance of the backlight 24 is equal to the luminance value obtained by averaging the luminance values (output values of the backlight 24) calculated for each observer. Be controlled. Alternatively, the output value of the backlight 24 may be determined based on the brightness information obtained from the glasses 63 worn by the observer at the closest distance or the farthest distance.

According to the image forming system 61 described in the third embodiment, the brightness of the liquid crystal display device 2 can be adjusted via the light receiving unit 43 provided in the remote controller 4 even when the glasses 63 are not worn. it can. For this reason, even when the liquid crystal display device 2 is observed without wearing the glasses 63, it is easy to adjust the luminance appropriately.

[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an image display system 13 according to the fourth embodiment.

The image display system 13 according to the fourth embodiment is different from the image display system according to the first embodiment in a liquid crystal display device and glasses. More specifically, the liquid crystal display device 9 according to the fourth embodiment can display a stereoscopic image, and the glasses 7 are glasses for visually recognizing the stereoscopic image. That is, the image display system 13 of this embodiment is a glasses-type three-dimensional image display system.

The glasses 7 are the same as the configurations described in the first to third embodiments, except that they have a configuration and a function for visually recognizing a stereoscopic image. The liquid crystal display device 9 is also described in the first to third embodiments, except that the liquid crystal display device 9 also has a configuration and a function for displaying a left-eye image and a right-eye image for forming a stereoscopic image. The configuration is the same.

In addition, there is no limitation in particular about the system of the liquid crystal display device 9 and the glasses 7, and this embodiment can be applied to arbitrary three-dimensional image display systems. For example, although not limited thereto, as an example of a three-dimensional image display system, there is a method in which a left-eye image and a right-eye image displayed simultaneously are spatially separated by glasses and recognized by the left eye and the right eye. . As another example, the left-eye image and the right-eye image, which are displayed alternately, are alternately viewed by the left and right eyes using shutter glasses that are alternately opened and closed in synchronization with the display. There is a method to make it.

As an example of the former method, a left-eye image and a right-eye image are alternately displayed every other scanning line of the liquid crystal display device 9. For example, the left-eye image is displayed on the even-numbered scanning lines, and the right-eye image is displayed on the odd-numbered scanning lines. Then, by arranging fine circularly polarizing elements along the scanning lines on the surface of the liquid crystal display device 9, the left-eye image and the right-eye image are polarized and displayed. Further, by providing a circular polarizing filter in the glasses 7, the left eye image is guided to the left eye and the right eye image is guided to the right eye, thereby displaying a three-dimensional image to the observer.

An example of the latter method is a frame sequential method. The liquid crystal display device 9 can display the right-eye image and the left-eye image on the display panel 91 at a predetermined cycle (for example, every 1/120 second).

The glasses 7 allow the right-eye image displayed by the stereoscopic image display device 6 to be observed by the observer's right eye and the left-eye image by the observer's left eye. Specifically, the glasses 7 are provided with liquid crystal shutters for the lenses of both eyes. When the right-eye image is displayed on the display panel 91, the right-eye shutter of the glasses 7 is opened, and the left-eye shutter is closed. When the left-eye image is displayed on the display panel 91, the left-eye shutter of the glasses 7 is opened, and the right-eye shutter is closed.

Also in the present embodiment, as in the first to third embodiments, the brightness of the observer's visual field range is detected by the image sensor provided in the glasses, and the backlight 24 is controlled according to the detected brightness. The brightness is adjusted. Thereby, the brightness | luminance of a liquid crystal display panel can be adjusted more appropriately based on the brightness which an observer actually recognizes.

[Other Embodiments]
In the above embodiment, the glasses are used as the attachment, but the attachment of the present invention is not limited to this. During the observation of the display device, any wearing object that an observer may wear on the head or face can be used instead of the glasses.

In the embodiment described above, whether the eyeglasses are worn is detected by calculating the position of the observer from the infrared signals from the pair of infrared sensors 621. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be a method. For example, a button or the like may be arranged on the frame of the glasses, and the wearing of the glasses may be detected by pressing the button with an ear.

In the above embodiment, when the human detection sensor 622 detects a plurality of observers, the luminance is controlled so that the average luminance is optimum for each observer. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the brightness may be controlled to be most appropriate for an observer who is closest to the liquid crystal display device and has the smallest viewing angle. Further, for example, in the present description, the brightness may be controlled to be most appropriate for an observer who is farthest from the liquid crystal display device and has the largest viewing angle.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the liquid crystal display device is provided as the image display device and the brightness of the display is adjusted by controlling the light source output of the backlight 24 is exemplified. However, the image display device is not limited to a liquid crystal display device, and the present invention can be applied to any display device. As a method for adjusting the display brightness, a method for adjusting the gradation of data to be displayed can be employed in addition to the method for controlling the output of the backlight.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are merely examples for carrying out the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented by appropriately modifying the above-described embodiment without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims (10)

A receiving unit that receives the data from a wearable that can acquire data representing brightness in the observation direction of the user in a state worn by the user during observation;
An image display unit;
Based on the data received by the reception unit, a luminance calculation unit that calculates brightness in the observation direction of the user;
An image display device comprising: a luminance control unit that controls luminance of the image display unit based on a calculation result by the luminance calculation unit. An image display system including an image display device and a wearing object worn by a user when observing the image display device,
The wearing object is a data acquisition unit that acquires data representing brightness in the observation direction of the user in a state worn by the user during observation of the image display device;
A transmission unit for transmitting the data to the image display device,
The image display device includes:
A receiving unit for receiving the data from the wearing article;
An image display unit;
Based on the data received by the reception unit, a luminance calculation unit that calculates brightness in the observation direction of the user;
An image display system comprising: a luminance control unit that controls the luminance of the image display unit based on a calculation result by the luminance calculation unit. The data acquisition unit includes an image sensor that detects a spatial distribution of light as two-dimensional image data,
The image display system according to claim 2, wherein the brightness calculation unit calculates brightness in the viewing direction of the user based on brightness data of at least some pixels of the image data. The image display system according to claim 3, wherein the data acquisition unit further includes a wide-angle lens on a light incident side of the image sensor. The image display device includes:
A data selection unit for selecting luminance data of pixels belonging to a predetermined viewing angle range from the image data;
The image display system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the luminance calculation unit calculates the brightness in the observation direction of the user based on the luminance data selected by the data selection unit. A wear detecting unit for detecting whether or not the user wears the wearing object;
The data acquisition unit acquires data representing the brightness in the observation direction of the user after the mounting detection unit detects that the user has mounted a wearing object. Image display system. The image display device includes:
A human detection sensor;
A distance detection unit that detects a distance to the person detected by the person detection sensor;
When the person detection sensor detects a plurality of persons, the brightness control unit calculates the brightness of the image display device based on the data obtained from the attachments of the plurality of persons, and the calculated brightness The image display system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the brightness of the image display device is controlled based on an average value of the image display device. A remote controller for controlling the image display device;
The remote controller is
An ambient data acquisition unit that acquires data representing the brightness around the remote controller;
An image data transmission unit that transmits data acquired by the ambient data acquisition unit to the image display device as data representing brightness in the observation direction of the user;
The image display system according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the luminance calculation unit calculates brightness in a user's observation direction based on data received from the remote controller. The image display system according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the image display device is a device capable of displaying a stereoscopic image on the image display unit. The image display system according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the attachment is glasses.

Images