CN1703915A - 3-D image display unit, 3-D image recording device and 3-D image recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

A 3-D image display unit comprising a measuring means (4) for measuring the display time of a 3-D image, and a parallax adjusting means (5) for instructing a 3-D image forming means (1) to adjust the parallax of a 3-D image, wherein, when a 3-D image display time measured by the measuring means (4) exceeds a specified time, the parallax adjusting means (5) instructs the 3-D image forming means (1) to reduce the parallax of a 3-D image to be formed to display a small-parallax 3-D image on a display means (3), whereby the 3-D image display unit permits a flexible control in the protection of the observer' eyes and is convenient to use.

Description

3-D image display unit, 3-D image recording device and 3-D image recording method

technical field

The invention relates to a 3-D image display unit for viewing electronic images such as 3-D images.

Background technique

Conventionally, when a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), or the like is used to display 3-D images, each 3-D display unit moves two images in the width direction of the eyes to obtain the distance between the two images. parallax, and then display these shifted images on the screen so that they are seen independently by the user's right and left eyes. The user is thus able to see a 3-D image composed of these two images.

Patent Document 1 (Official Gazette of Unexamined Published Japanese Patent Application No. 16351/1995) discloses a 3-D display game machine that forcibly displays the The 3-D image is converted to the original 2-D image. Patent Document 2 (Official Gazette of Unexamined Published Japanese Patent Application No. 333479/1994) discloses an image display unit having an internal timer for when the first preset time has elapsed after the power of the unit is turned on power off the unit forcibly. This is to avoid prolonged continuous use of the unit.

Contents of the invention

However, the technique disclosed by Patent Document 1 continues 3-D display without adjusting the parallax even when the user's parallax sensitivity decreases due to long-time viewing, thus causing his/her eyestrain. In other words, the unit cannot handle deliberate adjustments, such as in this case by incrementally reducing parallax to lessen the strain on the user's eyes. On the other hand, in the technique disclosed by Patent Document 2, in the case where the unit power is turned off, the power cannot be turned on until a preset time comes. For example, in the case of a display unit capable of properly switching between 2-D display and 3-D display to display images, the unit turns off its power only when 3-D images are displayed for a long time to prevent eye fatigue of the user It is impossible to satisfy users. And, once the power is forcibly turned off, until the preset time comes, the 2-D image that puts less burden on the user's eyes is also prohibited.

What's more, for example, in the case of digitally broadcasting 3-D images, there is no conventional technology that allows broadcasting stations to set a time limit for continuously displaying 3-D images according to the intention of content creators or content suppliers.

The degree of 3-D intensity in a 3-D image usually varies. This is why it is considered inappropriate to apply the same allowed playback time to high 3-D intensity images as to low 3-D intensity images to restrict 3-D viewing. This is because the burden on the user's eyes is determined by the degree of this 3-D intensity. Each of the above-mentioned conventional techniques faces a problem of not limiting viewing of 30D images when a user continues to watch these 3-D images having different 3-D intensity values by changing the channel of the receiver.

In the techniques disclosed by the above Patent Documents 1 and 2, the user's device has a timer for measuring the display elapsed time of each 3-D image. And, in case the measured time reaches a predetermined time limit, the user's device automatically switches from the 3-D image to the 2-D image. Therefore, images are switched regardless of the intention of the 3-D image data creator, broadcasting station, content provider, and the like.

Under such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a 3-D image display unit that can easily and flexibly control a 3-D image to protect a user from eyestrain.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a 3-D image display unit displays a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images. The display unit includes an input section for inputting control information necessary to display a 3-D image. The input information includes information indicating the 3-D intensity of the 3-D image.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the 3-D image display unit is expanded from the first aspect such that the display unit further includes a calculation section and a display control section. The calculation section calculates an accumulated intensity that grows with time according to the 3-D intensity, and the display control section produces a predetermined display operation in a case where the accumulated intensity exceeds a first threshold value.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the 3-D image display unit is extended from the second aspect such that the display unit allows the above-mentioned display operation to include display of a warning message.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the 3-D image display unit is extended from the second aspect such that the display unit allows the above-mentioned display operation to include an adjustment operation for reducing parallax of the 3-D image.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the 3-D image display unit is extended from the second aspect such that the display unit allows the above-mentioned display operation including forming a 2-D image from a 3-D image so that a 2-D image is displayed instead of a 3-D image. D image manipulation.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the 3-D image display unit of the present invention is extended from the fifth aspect, so that the display unit allows the above-mentioned display operation including resuming display of an original 3-D image instead of a 2-D image at a predetermined time operation.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the 3-D image display unit is expanded from the fifth aspect, the display unit allows the calculation section to calculate the cumulative intensity that decreases with the display time of the 2-D image, and allows the above-mentioned display operation to be included in In case the cumulative intensity is reduced to a second threshold value, the display of the original 3-D image is resumed instead of the operation of the 2-D image.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the 3-D image display unit is expanded from any one of the first to fifth aspects such that the 3-D image display unit further includes an input section for inputting an external signal. The external signal includes a request signal for switching between 3-D image display and 2-D image display, and displays a 2-D image instead of 3-D image display and creating a 2-D image from the 3-D image. -D toggles between display operations for images.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the 3-D image display unit is extended from any one of the sixth and seventh aspects such that the display unit further includes an input section for inputting an external signal. The external signal includes a request signal for switching display between 3-D image display and 2-D image display. This request signal is invalid between the 2-D image display performed by the above display operation and the operation to restore the original 3-D image display.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the 3-D image display unit is extended in any one of the first to ninth aspects so that the display unit allows the first threshold value to be included in the control information.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the 3-D image display unit is expanded from the sixth aspect such that the display unit allows the predetermined time to be included in the control information.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the 3-D image display unit is extended from the sixth aspect such that the display unit allows the second threshold value to be included in the control information.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the 3-D image display unit displays a 3-D image constituted by a plurality of images, and includes an input section for inputting control information required for displaying the 3-D image, and a control 3-D image display unit. Display control part of D image display. The display control section forms a 2-D image from the 3-D image according to a preset first condition and displays the 2-D image instead of the 3-D image, and displays the 3-D image instead of the 3-D image according to a preset second condition. 2-D image.

The 3-D image recording device of the present invention records a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images in a preset recording area, wherein the preset recording area includes at least an area for recording the 3-D image One of an image recording area, an audio recording area for recording audio data, and a subcode recording area for recording associated information.

The 3-D image recording unit of the present invention that records a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images includes a recording section for recording control information necessary to control 3-D image display in a preset recording area. The control information includes information indicating the 3-D intensity of the 3-D image and a recording area including at least an image recording area for recording the 3-D image, an audio recording area for recording audio data, and a recording area for recording the 3-D image. One of the subcode recording areas in which related information is recorded.

The 3-D image recording unit for recording a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images in a preset recording area of the present invention includes a recording portion for recording control information necessary for controlling the display of a 3-D image, and the control information includes Threshold associated with cumulative values that grow with 3-D display time. The recording area includes at least one of an image recording area for recording 3-D images, an audio recording area for recording audio data, and a subcode recording area for recording associated information.

The 3-D image recording unit of the present invention is used for recording a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images in a preset recording area, which includes a recording part for recording control information necessary for controlling 3-D image display, and controls The information includes information indicating a restriction time for restricting display of a 3-D image. The recording area includes at least one of an image recording area for recording 3-D images, an audio recording area for recording audio data, and a subcode recording area for recording associated information.

The 3-D image recording method of the present invention records a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images in a preset recording area, the recording area used at least includes an image recording area for recording 3-D images, and is used for recording audio data one of the audio recording areas and the subcode recording area for recording associated information.

The 3-D image recording method of the present invention records a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images in a preset recording area, comprising a recording step of recording control information necessary for controlling 3-D image display in a preset recording area, And the control information includes information for indicating the 3-D intensity of the 3-D image, and the recording area includes at least an image recording area for recording 3-D images, an audio recording area for recording audio data, and an audio recording area for recording association One of the subcode recording areas of information.

The 3-D image recording method for recording a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images in a preset recording area of the present invention includes a recording step for recording control information necessary for controlling the display of a 3-D image, and the control information includes The threshold value associated with the cumulative value that increases with the 3-D display time, the recording area includes at least an image recording area for recording 3-D images, an audio recording area for recording audio data, and an audio recording area for recording associated information One of the subcode record areas of .

The 3-D image recording method for recording a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images in a preset recording area of the present invention includes a recording step for recording control information necessary for controlling the display of a 3-D image, and the control information includes Information indicating a limited time for limiting the display of 3-D images, and the recording area includes at least an image recording area for recording 3-D images, an audio recording area for recording audio data, and an audio recording area for recording associated information One of the subcode record areas of .

In order to achieve the above objects, the 3-D image display unit of the present invention independently displays images for the left and right eyes of the user, the 3-D image display unit includes a 3-D image for forming a 3-D image from a plurality of images A forming device, and a parallax adjusting device for adjusting parallax of a 3-D image for the 3-D image forming device. And, when the first preset time arrives, the parallax adjusting device reduces the parallax of the 3-D image for the 3-D image forming device.

According to this configuration, the 3-D image display unit can adjust the parallax of 3-D image display according to the user's eye fatigue degree, and thus, the user's eyes can be protected.

The 3-D image display unit may also include storage means for storing the parallax of the 3-D image, so that the parallax adjusting means, after the parallax of the 3-D image formed by the 3-D image forming means is reduced by the parallax adjusting means, When the second preset time comes, restore the original disparity of the 3-D image for the 3-D image forming device according to the disparity stored in the storage device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the 3-D image display unit includes a 3-D image forming device for forming a 3-D image from a plurality of images, a warning display control for forming a warning message for the 3-D image forming device device, and the warning display control means forms a warning message for the 3-D image forming device when the display time of the 3-D image exceeds a first preset time.

According to this configuration, the 3-D image display unit displays a warning message when the 3-D image is displayed for a long time, so that the user can receive an early warning of "viewing for too long", thus protecting the user from eyes fatigue.

The warning message should preferably be displayed as a 3-D image. Although the warning message is displayed as a 3-D image, it is also possible that items other than the warning message are displayed as a 2-D image. The warning message may also be displayed as a 3-D image in very limited locations where it is difficult for the user to recognize the message as a 3-D image. Therefore, the user will be able to recognize the warning message early, so that the user can be protected from eyestrain.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the 3-D image display unit includes a 3-D image forming device for forming a 3-D image from a plurality of images, a 2-D image for forming a 2-D image from the plurality of images A forming device, and a display device for displaying a 3-D image formed by the 3-D image forming device or a 2-D image formed by the 2-D image forming device. When the 3-D image display time exceeds the first preset time, the 3-D image display unit automatically cuts off at least the power supply including the display device. And, in case the power is restored before the 3-D image display off time exceeds the second preset time, the 2-D image formed by the 2-D image forming device is displayed on the display device.

Even if the 3-D image shows that the shutdown time exceeds the second preset time, and the power has not been restored, the power of the entire unit is turned off. Therefore, in case the power is turned on when the 3-D image display off time exceeds the second preset time, the 3-D image display unit returns to a normal state to display the original 3-D image.

According to this configuration, the power supply of the 3-D image display unit is forcibly turned off when the 3-D image is continuously displayed for a long time, and the display of the 3-D image is prohibited even if the user tries to turn on the power before the preset time , the disable cannot be reset. In this way, the user is securely protected from eyestrain. And, even when the user turns on the power before the preset time comes, the 2-D image requiring less burden on the user's eyes will be played, so that the 3-D image display unit can be continuously used.

The 3-D image display unit of the present invention also includes 3-D image decoding means for decoding 3-D image format data, and is used for separating the 3-D image data decoded by the 3-D image decoding means A device for separating right-eye data and left-eye data. The format of the 3-D image format data may include at least a separate piece of 3-D image identification information for indicating whether the object data is a 3-D image display, at least for including the first and second preset times At least one separate piece of 3-D image control information, and at least one separate piece for image data. Image data can also be compressed. The 3-D image decoding means also has 3-D image control information analysis means for analyzing 3-D image control information of 3-D format data, and 3-D image data for decoding 3-D image format information The image data portion of the decoding means.

According to this configuration, the 3-D image display unit decodes the user's appreciation time of the 3-D image and information indicating the continuous application time of the 3-D image without changing the parallax, thereby for each of the 3-D image control information. data to adjust viewing time without reducing parallax and continuous 3-D viewing time separately. For example, these two times can be changed according to whether the data requires a larger parallax and a heavier burden on the user's eyes, so as to reduce the fatigue of the user's eyes.

Furthermore, in accordance with the above-mentioned 3-D image format data, in the case where the 3-D image format data is to be transmitted, according to whether the parallax is large and the burden on the user's eyes is heavy, it is indicated that the user's 3-D image is allowed to enjoy Continuous 3-D images of time and unmodified parallax allow viewing time information to be recorded by the user before it is sent.

Therefore, data that prevents long-time viewing to protect the user from eyestrain can be provided to the user.

Further, in accordance with the 3-D image format data, information indicating the user's 3-D viewing allowable time and continuous 3-D image viewing allowable time without changing the parallax can be included in the 3-D image control of the 3d image format data. information, so this information can be sent together with the image data. Thereby it is very easy to control the 3-D image display unit.

The 3-D image recording method of the present invention for recording a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images includes a recording step of recording control information necessary to display a 3-D image, and the control information includes at least display information that takes at least two values , and the display information may indicate that the 3-D image is displayed as a 2-D image when the display information takes the first value and that the 3-D image is displayed as 2-D when the display information takes the second value or 3-D images.

The 3-D image recording method of the present invention for recording a 3-D image each formed of a plurality of images includes a recording step of recording control information necessary for displaying a 3-D image, and the control information includes at least a method for obtaining at least two values. Display information, and the display information can indicate that if the display information takes the first value, the 3-D image is displayed as a 2-D image, and if the display takes the second value, the 3-D image is displayed as 2-D or 3 -D image.

A 3-D image display unit for displaying a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images of the present invention includes an input section for inputting control information necessary for displaying a 3-D image, and the control information includes at least obtaining at least two values , and the display information may indicate that the 3-D image is displayed as a 2-D image if the display information takes the first value, and the 3-D image is displayed as 2-D or 3-D images.

The 3-D image recording method of the present invention for recording a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images includes a recording step for recording control information necessary for displaying a 3-D image, and the control information includes information related to 3-D image display The threshold value related to the cumulative value that grows together with time. When the threshold value is the preset value, it indicates that the 3-D image is displayed as a 2-D image, and the threshold value is not the preset value. Case 3-D images are displayed as 2-D or 3-D images.

The 3-D image transmission method of the present invention for transmitting a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images includes a recording step for recording control information necessary for displaying a 3-D image, and the control information includes the same 3-D image Displays the threshold value related to the cumulative value that grows with time. When the threshold value is a preset value, it indicates that the 3-D image is displayed as a 2-D image, and the threshold value is not the preset value. In case of 3-D images are displayed as 2-D or 3-D images.

A 3-D image display unit for displaying a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images of the present invention includes an input section for inputting control information necessary for displaying a 3-D image, and the control information includes the same 3-D image display The threshold value related to the cumulative value that grows together with time. When the threshold value is the preset value, it indicates that the 3-D image is displayed as a 2-D image, and the threshold value is not the preset value. Case 3-D images are displayed as 2-D or 3-D images.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a 3-D image display unit in a first embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a 2-D image data structure and its display method for a 3-D image display unit in the first embodiment of the present invention;

3 is an example of how to form 3-D image data in the 3-D image display unit in the first embodiment of the present invention and how to display the 3-D image data when the display device 3 just allows 3-D display;

4 is an example of how to form 3-D image data and how to display the 3-D image data using the 3-D image display unit in the first embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a flow chart of the process of displaying a 3-D image using the 3-D image display unit in the first embodiment of the present invention;

6 is an example of how to form 3-D image data and how to display the 3-D image data using the 3-D image display unit in the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an example of a 3-D image decoding device 500 for decoding 3-D image format data F1 in the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an example of 30D image format data F1 in the first embodiment of the present invention;

9 is an example of how to receive 3-D image content broadcasting in the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an example of the 3-D image format data F1 stream when the recording medium is used as the transmission path of the data F1 in the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an example of the flow of 3-D image format data F1 when the network is used as the transmission path of the data F1 in the first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a block diagram of a 3-D image display unit in the first embodiment of the present invention when three input images are processed in the unit;

13 is an example of how to form 3-D image data and how to display the 3-D image data in the first embodiment of the present invention in the case where three input images are processed in the unit;

14 is a block diagram of a 3-D image display unit in a second embodiment of the present invention;

15 is a flowchart of a process of displaying a 3-D image using the 3-D image display unit in the second embodiment of the present invention;

16 is a block diagram of a 3-D image display unit in a third embodiment of the present invention;

17 is a flowchart of the operation of the 3-D image display unit in the third embodiment of the present invention;

18A to 18C are examples of how 3-D image parallax is and how 3-D images are seen;

Figure 19 is an example of the relationship between 3-D intensity and 3-D display allowable time;

Figure 20 is an example of the relationship between cumulative intensity and time;

Figure 21 is another example showing the relationship between time and cumulative intensity;

Figure 22 is a first example showing the relationship between time and cumulative intensity;

Fig. 23 is a block diagram of a 3-D image encoding device in a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

24 is a block diagram of a 3-D image decoding device in a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

25 is a block diagram of a 3-D image display unit in a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 26 is a second example showing the relationship between time and cumulative intensity;

Figure 27 is a third example showing the relationship between time and cumulative intensity;

FIG. 28 is an example of the format of a digital video tape with data recorded using a 3-D image display unit in a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 29 is another example of the format of the digital video tape with data recorded using the 3-D image display unit in the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 30 is also another example of the format of the digital video tape with data recorded using the 3-D image display unit in the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

31 is a block diagram of a 3-D image recording unit in a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

32 is a block diagram of a 3-D image recording unit in a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 33 is an example of 3-D image format data F1 in the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 34 is an example of the flow of 3-D image format data F1 in the sixth embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 35 is a block diagram of a 3-D image display unit in a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

Invention of Best Practices

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

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a 3-D image display unit in a first embodiment of the present invention.

First, a 3-D image display unit that processes two input images will be described.

The 3-D image display unit in the first embodiment includes a 3-D image forming device 1 for forming a 3-D image from images for the right eye and a left eye; A 2-D image forming device 6 that forms a 2-D image; switches 11 to 14 for switching among input/output images; a switch control device 10 for controlling each of the above switches in accordance with display information M1, display information M1 indicates 3-D display or 2-D display that allows the use of images for each eye (L...left-eye image data, R...right-eye image data); for storing each Frame memory 2 of image formed by device 1 or 2-D image forming device 6 or input image as it is; for displaying two images in frame memory 2 as 3-D image or 2-D image in accordance with display mode information M1 display means 3; time measuring/judgment means 4 for measuring the display time of each 3-D image; and instructing the 3-D image forming means when the 3-D image display time exceeds a preset time A parallax control device 5 that forms a 3-D image by adjusting the parallax of each right-eye image and left-eye image. The display mode information M1 will be described later.

The display device 3 is assumed to be a binocular type device that separately displays right-eye and left-eye images (images of two viewpoints).

The first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.

First, left-eye image data L and right-eye image data R are respectively input to the 3-D image display unit as input images A1 and A2 from the outside. Then, the display mode information M1 is input to the switch control device 10 from the outside. There are four types of display mode information M1; 3-D image display mode (or 3-D display mode), left-eye 2-D image display mode (left-eye 2-D display mode), right-eye 2-D image display mode (right-eye 2-D display mode), and an input image direct display mode (direct display mode). The 3-D image display unit displays the 3-D image, the 2-D image display using the left eye image, the 2-D image display using the right eye image, and the input 2-D image display in accordance with the input display mode information M1. The image is switched between the input image and the direct display. Table 1 summarizes the values of the display mode information M1, the mode names, and the images displayed in these modes.

Table 1 Display mode information M1 schema name display image 1 3-D image display mode 3-D image 2 Left eye 2-D image display mode 2-D image formed from the left eye 2-D image of each 3-D image 3 Right eye 2-D image display mode 2-D image formed from right eye 2-D image of each 3-D image 4 Input image direct display mode input image

First, the operation of the display unit in the case where the input image direct display mode is set in the display mode information M1 will be described. In this case, for example, the display unit displays the input image A1 as it is.

Subsequently, the switch control device 10 turns off the switches 11 and 12 and turns on/off the switches 13 and 14 so that the input image A1 is input to the frame memory 2 through these switches 13 and 14 as it is. The input image A1 is thus written into the frame memory 2 through the switches 13 and 14 . Then, the input image A1 is input from the frame memory 2 to the display device 3 . And, the display device displays the input image A1 as a 2-D image. At this time, the input image A1 can be replaced by the input image A2; whether to use the input image A1 or A2 can be set arbitrarily.

Next, an explanation will be made of the operation of the display unit in the case where the left-eye 2-D image display mode is set in the display mode information M1. The switch control device 10 turns off the switches 11 and 12, and turns on/off the switches 13 and 14 so that the left-eye image data L is input to the 2-D image forming device 6, and the 2-D image forming device 6 is connected to the frame memory, respectively. 2. The left-eye image data L is thus input to the 2-D image forming device 6 through the switch 13. The 2-D image forming device 6 forms a 2-D image using the left-eye image data, and then the formed image is written into the 2-D image through the switch 14. Frame memory 2. Then, 2-D image data is input from the frame memory 2 to the display device 3 . The display device 3 thus displays the input 2-D image data.

FIG. 2 shows a data structure formed by 2-D image forming device 6 and a method for displaying the data in a case where display mode information M1 indicates a mode of displaying left-eye image L as a 2-D image. On the assumption that the left-eye image data L is longitudinally decomposed into strip images L1 to L8, part of the left-eye image data L (in the bold-faced frame of the left-eye image data L shown in FIG. 2 ) is used as 2-D image data formed by the 2-D image forming device 6 . Here, it is assumed that L2-L7 are displayed. In Fig. 2, two frame viewpoints are shown, namely the front viewpoint and the top viewpoint. In the last frame viewpoint, for simplicity, the slits for the 3-D display mode (details will be described later) are not drawn. It is understood in FIG. 2 that L2 to L7 of the 2-D image data 201 are viewed by the user's left eye. The user can thereby view the image formed from the left-eye image data L as a 2-D image.

From the above, although the display device 3 is capable of both 3-D display and 2-D display, the device 3 may only allow 3-D display. FIG. 3 shows an example of how the 2-D image forming device 6 forms data and how the data is displayed in a case where the display mode information M1 indicates a mode of displaying the left-eye image data L as a 2-D image. Also, it is assumed here that the display device displays the same image as that described with reference to FIG. 2 . The display device 3 has a screen with a slit 300 thereon. The striped images L2, L4, and L6 displayed in the frame 301 are sent to the left eye of the user, respectively, and the striped images L3, L5, and L7 are sent to the right eye of the user, respectively, so that the user can view the left eye from the left eye. The image formed by the image data L is viewed as a 2-D image. The slits on the screen of the display device 3 can be replaced by lenses.

In the case where the right-eye 2-D image display mode is set in the display mode information M1, a 2-D image is formed from the right-eye image and displayed on the screen similarly to that in the left-eye 2-D image display mode.

Next, the operation of the display unit when the display mode information M1 is set to the 3-D image display mode will be described. In the case where the display mode information M1 specifies the 3-D image display mode, the switch control device 10 turns on the switches 11 and 12 and controls the state of the switch 14 so that the 3-D image forming device 1 is connected to the frame memory 2 . In this way, the image data L for the left eye and the image data R for the right eye are respectively input to the 3-D image forming apparatus 1 through the switch 11 and the switch 12 from the outside. The 3-D image forming apparatus 1 thus forms the 3-D image data and converts the formed The data is written into the frame memory 2. Then, 3-D image data is input from the frame memory 2 to the display device 3 . Finally, the display device displays the input 3-D image data as a 3-D image.

Fig. 4 shows an example of how 3-D image data is formed, and how the image data is displayed. It is assumed here that the striped images L1 to L8 are obtained by decomposing the left-eye image data L in the longitudinal direction, and the striped images R1 to R8 are obtained by decomposing the right-eye image data R in the longitudinal direction, respectively. It is assumed that the size of the displayed image in the horizontal direction is smaller than the size of the left-eye image data L and the size of the right-eye image data R in the horizontal direction. For example, in the right-eye image and left-eye image data shown in FIG. 4, in the case of an image of a frame actually displayed in bold, as shown in FIG. 4, the 3-D image data uses a striped image L2, R3, L4, R5, L6 and R7 to form,. And, since there are slits 300 or lenses on the screen of the 3-D image display unit, striped images L2, L4, and L6 displayed on the 3-D image data 301 are sent to the user's left eye, while being displayed on the 3 - The striped images R3, R5, R7 in the D image display unit are sent to the user's right eye, so the user can view a 3-D image.

In the example shown in Figure 4, it is illustrated how to form (merge) 3-D image data by thinning out and combining input image data. Although the 3-D image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 can perform narrowing and merging, narrowing can also be performed by an external device while only merging is performed by the 3-D image forming apparatus 1 . In the latter case, the left-eye image data L and right-eye image data R input from the outside to the 3-D image forming apparatus 1 become composed of only L2, L4, L6, L8 and only R1, R3, R5 and R7 form.

In this embodiment, an adjustment is made to reduce the parallax of the 3-D image if the display of the 3-D image continues for a preset time. Next, how to deal with 3-D image parallax and how to see each 3-D image will be described with reference to FIG. 18 .

In FIG. 18 , the distance between the user's left and right eyes is assumed to be "e", and the distance between the user and the display screen is assumed to be "L". And, in FIG. 18A, both the right-eye image and the left-eye image are positioned at the same point (P1) on the screen. At this time, the user recognizes the image as if the image was on the display screen.

Then, as shown in FIG. 18B, the image viewed by the right eye is shifted left by a distance "w" from P1. The right eye image is at position P2. At this time, the image is viewed as if it were located at S1, so the user recognizes the image as if it came out of the screen by a distance "d" toward the user.

Then, as shown in FIG. 18C, the right-eye image is shifted to the right from P1 by a distance "w". The right eye image is thus at position P3. At this time, the image is viewed as if it were located at S2. The user thus recognizes the image as if retreated by a distance "d" from the display screen.

In general, the parallax of a 3-D image is different from pixel to pixel. The user's 3-D image impression received from the entire image is referred to herein as "parallax". It will be described later that parallax is adjusted by changing the relative positions of the left-eye image and the right-eye image in the horizontal direction.

Next, how the 3-D image display unit shown in FIG. 1 displays a 3-D image will be explained.

In an initial state, the 3-D image display unit displays a 3-D image with a preset parallax A (S1'). The time measurement/judgment means 4 then measures the display time of the 3-D image at the parallax A. In this case, the device 4 measures the time from the start of the 3-D image display. When a 3-D image is displayed, the 3-D image forming device 1 sends a 3-D image display notification signal to the time measuring/judging device 4 . Upon receiving the 3-D image display notification signal, the time measuring/judging means 4 starts measuring time t1.

The time measuring/judging means 4 then judges whether the measured time t1 exceeds a preset time TIME1 (S12). In the case of a judgment result of 'No' (not exceeded), control goes to step 11, where the time measurement/judgment means 4 continues to display the 3-D image at the parallax A. In a case where the judgment result is 'Yes' (exceeded), the time measurement/judgment means 4 outputs a time measurement end signal T1 to the parallax control means 5 .

When receiving the time measurement end signal T1, the parallax control device 5 instructs the 3-D image forming device 1 to form a 3-D image by reducing the parallax. The 3-D image forming device 1 then reduces parallax and forms a 3-D image. At the same time, the device 1 sends a reset signal to the time measuring/judging device 4. The 3-D image forming device 1 thus stores the original disparity (disparity A). Accordingly, the display device displays the 3-D image having the parallax B smaller than the parallax A (S13).

For example, the "parallax information" stored here is represented by the relative position of right-eye image data R positioned on the 3-D image data with reference to left-eye image data L when 3-D image data is formed. Also, the 3-D image forming apparatus 1 stores the position of each right-eye image and left-eye image with respect to the coordinates (x, y) at the upper left in the frame shown in bold in FIG. 4 .

In the case where the upper left point of the image in Figure 4 is defined as the origin (0, 0), the horizontal direction is defined as "x", the vertical direction is defined as "y", and then the right and left of the frame indicated in bold The positions of are respectively (1, 0).

At this time, while reducing the parallax of the 3-D image that appears to be in front of the display screen, the 3-D image is recombined to be moved back closer to the display screen. Specifically, the right-eye image data R is shifted to the right in the horizontal direction with respect to the left-eye image data L. FIG. When parallax is increased, the 3-D image is restructured to be shifted towards the front of the display screen. Specifically, the right-eye image data R is shifted to the left in the horizontal direction with respect to the left-eye image data L. FIG.

When reducing the parallax of a 3-D image that appears to be behind the display, the 3-D image is restructured to be moved forward closer to the display. When parallax is increased, the 3-D image is reconfigured to be shifted towards the back of the screen.

At this time, the direction in which the right-eye image data R moves is opposite to the direction in which the 3-D image moves when it appears as if it is in front of the display screen.

Next, an example of how to form a 3-D image by adjusting the parallax of the target 3-D image by moving the left-eye image data L in the horizontal direction will be described with reference to Table 2.

Table 2 Request left eye image data L Request right eye image data R When moving the 3-D image forward of the current display position Arrange the image data in the order of L and R, then use the outer (left) part Arrange the image data in the order of L and R, then use the outer (right) part When moving the 3-D image backward from the current display position Arrange the image data in the order of L and R, then use the inner (right) part Arrange the image data in the order of L and R, then use the inner (left) part

When a 3-D image moving forward of the current display position is formed by each part of the left-eye image data L and part of the right-eye image data R, the image data are arranged in the order of L and R, and then each L and the outer regions of R to recombine the target 3-D image. When moving the 3-D image backward on the screen, the image data is arranged in the order of L and R, and then the 3-D image is reorganized with the inner area of each L and R. For example, when the coordinates (1, 0) are set to the upper left and upper right corners of the frame shown in bold in Figure 4, to form a 3-D image moving toward the front of the screen, set the coordinates of the upper left corner to is (0, 0) and the coordinates of the upper right corner are set to (2, 0) to reconstruct the 3-D image. When moving the 3-D image to the back of the screen, the coordinates of the upper left corner are set to (2, 0) and the coordinates of the upper right corner are set to (0, 0) to reorganize the 3-D image.

Next, how to form 3-D image data by reducing parallax will be described with reference to FIG. 6 . FIG. 6 shows an example of how 3-D image data is formed and displayed so that the 3-D image appears to be in front of a screen by reducing parallax. For example, 3-D image data shown in FIG. 4 is used to display a 3-D image that appears to be in front of a screen. At this time, when the 3-D image is displayed by reducing the parallax, the 3-D image is reconstructed so that it moves just behind the screen. In other words, as explained in Table 2, the coordinates of the upper left corner of the frame indicated in bold in FIG. Let it be (2, 0).

L1 , L3 and L5 of the left-eye image data L are set at the positions of L2 , L4 and L6 of the 3-D image data shown in FIG. 4 . Likewise, R4, R6, and R8 of the right-eye image data R are set at the positions of R3, R5, and R7 of the 3-D image shown in FIG. 4 . L1, L3, and L6 of the 3-D image are viewed by the left eye, and R4, R6, and R8 are viewed by the right eye, so that the user can recognize the 3-D image data as a 3-D image.

When the parallax of the 3-D image is reduced, the bold-faced frames shown in FIG. 4 are shifted to the left in the left-eye image data L, and in the right-eye image data R, the bold-faced frames are shifted to the right, to form the target 3-D image. When increasing the parallax of the 3-D image, the frames indicated in bold are shifted in the opposite direction to form the target 3-D image data.

In the case that the 3-D image with parallax A is modified because its display time exceeds the preset time TIME1 so as to be displayed with a smaller parallax B, the time measurement/judgment means 4 resets the current measurement time and starts measurement 3- The time t2 at which the D image is displayed with the new parallax B.

Then, the time measurement/judgment means 4 compares the measured time t2 with a preset time TIME2 (S14). In the case that time t2 has not reached TIME2, control returns to step 13, and time measurement/judgment means 4 continues to display the 3-D image with smaller parallax B. When the measurement time t2, that is, the display time of the 3-D image with parallax B reaches the preset time TIME2, the time measurement/judgment means 4 outputs a time measurement end signal T2 to the parallax control means 5. After the parallax control device 5 receives the signal T2, it outputs the signal for recovering parallax stored in the 3-D image forming device 1 to the 3-D image forming device 1. After the 3-D image forming device 1 receives the signal, The original parallax is restored to form a target 3-D image and a reset signal is sent to the time measuring/judging device 4 . At this time, the time measuring/judging means 4 can immediately restore the original parallax A, or form a displayed 3-D image to gradually increase the parallax.

As described above, in the case where the parallax of the 3-D image is changed to another, the 3-D image forming device 1 outputs a reset signal to the time measuring/judging device 4 . After receiving the reset signal, the time measuring/judging device 4 resets the measuring time to 0, and then starts measuring the time again. As mentioned above, the time measuring/judging device 4 measures the 3-D display time at a preset parallax, and adjusts the parallax according to the time measurement result to form a target 3-D image.

Next, signals exchanged in the 3-D image forming device 1 , the time measuring/judging device 4 and the parallax controlling device 5 will be described with reference to Table 3.

table 3

State [1-1] indicates that time measurement by the time measurement/judgment means 4 is started. At this time, the 3-D image forming device 1 outputs the 3-D image display notification signal to the time measuring/judging device 4 . This signal indicates that the display unit is displaying 3-D images.

The state [1-2] indicates that the measurement time of the time measurement/judgment means 4 reaches the preset time TIME1. In this state, the time measurement/judgment means 4 transmits the time measurement end signal T1 indicating the arrival time TIME1 to the parallax control means 5, so that the parallax control means 5 outputs a signal for instructing the 3-D image forming means 1 to form a signal by reducing the parallax. Signals for 3-D images. Upon receiving this signal, the 3-D image forming apparatus 1 outputs a reset signal for resetting the time/judgment means 4 to the time measurement/judgment means 4 .

The state [1-3] indicates that the measured time of the time measuring/judging means 4 reaches the predetermined time TIME2. In this state, the time measurement/judgment means 4 outputs a time measurement end signal T2 indicating the arrival time TIME2 to the parallax control means 5 . And therefore, the parallax control device 5 outputs a signal for instructing the 3-D image forming device 1 to form a 3-D image by restoring the original parallax. At the same time, the 3-D image forming device 1 outputs a 3-D image display notification signal to the time measuring/judging device 4 .

States [1-4] represent restoring the original disparity to form the target 3-D image. In this state, the 3-D image forming device 1 outputs a reset signal to the time measuring/judging device 4 .

As described above, even when the user watches 3-D images for a long time, since the 3-D image display unit of the present invention can display each 3-D image by reducing the parallax, his/her parallax sensitivity due to his/her eyes reduced by fatigue. Thereby, the user can be protected from eyestrain. And, when the user recovers the original parallax sensitivity due to his/her recovery from eyestrain, the display unit starts displaying the 3-D image with the original parallax so that the user can watch the 3-D image again with little discomfort. The above-mentioned TIME1 and TIME2 can be stored as preset values in a memory provided in the 3-D image display unit.

Each of TIME1 and TIME2 can be more than one value. For example, many values can be set for TIME1/TIME2 in accordance with the screen size of the input image, and the number of combinations of parameters set as the full playback time of an item related to eyestrain if the input image is video data. TIME1/TIME2 can also be set or modified by the user.

The 3-D image display unit may also include a 3-D image decoding device 400 for decoding the 3-D image format data F1 as shown in FIG. is the separating means 504 for the right-eye image data and the left-eye image data. In this regard, the 3-D image format data F1 may include values equivalent to the aforementioned TIME1 and TIME2 previously stored therein so that these values can be replaced by TIME1 and TIME2 in the 3-D image display unit. Hereinafter, the operation of the 3-D image decoding device 500 will be explained. 3-D image decoding means 500 includes 3-D image control data analyzing means 501, image data decoding means 502, and switch 503 and decodes 3-D image format data F1.

Next, the 3-D image format data F1 will be explained. FIG. 8 shows an example of 3-D image format data F1. The 3-D image format data shown in FIG. 8 is composed of a 3-D image control information portion and an image data portion. The 3-D image control information section is composed of 3-D image identification information I1, and control information I2. The image identification information I1 indicates whether the 3-D image format data F1 is 3-D image display data. The image data portion is composed of coded data D. The control information I2 indicates the above-mentioned TIME1 and TIME2. The coded data in the image data section can be coded by a method such as JPEG, MPEG, etc. from an image in which corresponding left-eye image data L and right-eye image data R are horizontally arranged side by side. In the 3-D image format data F1, data are stored in the order of I1, I2, and D.

The 3-D image control data analyzing means 501 analyzes the 3-D image control information, and judges whether the 3-D image format data F1 is 3-D image display data. In the case where the judgment result is 'Yes', the 3-D image control data analysis means 501 transfers the control information I2 indicating the values of TIME1 and TIM2 and the 3-D image display mode set in Table 1 indicating the display mode information M1 to output to the 3-D image display unit, and then control the switch 503 to connect the image data decoding means 502 to the separating means 504. At the same time, the 3-D image control data analysis means 501 outputs the decoded data D to the image data decoding means 502 . Image data decoding means 502 decodes the encoded data D to generate 3-D image data W2 to be output to separating means 504 . The separation means 504 separates the input 3-D image data W2 into left-eye image data L and right-eye image data R, and then outputs L and R as output image data 01 and 02 to the 3-D image display unit. The output data 01 and 02 are input as input images A1 and A2 to the 3-D image display unit shown in FIG. 1 .

The value stored in the control information I2 provided in the 3-D image format data F1 may be any one of TIME1 and TIME2. Also, the preset value can be used for any data not stored in the control information I2.

For example, when reconstructing the 3-D image format data F1 in which only TIME1 is stored, the 3-D image display is controlled so that the parallax is reduced when the 3-D image display time reaches TIME1. Thereafter, however, arbitrary control of the display by each reconstruction device is taken. In other words, when the 3-D image display time reaches TIME1, the following processing is allowed.

(i) Continue to display the parallax-reduced 3-D image until the next power-off.

(ii) The relevant reconstruction means sets a time equivalent to TIME2, and restores the original disparity as described above.

(iii) The associated reconstruction device sets a preset time, and switches the 3-D image display to the 2-D image display when the 3-D image display time reaches the preset time.

Although the parallax of the 3-D image is reduced when the value measuring the 3-D display time reaches TIME1 in the above example, the 3-D image display may be switched to the 2-D image display when TIME1 arrives. Therefore, in displaying, the content creator's intention of the 3-D image is affected, and the user can recover from eyestrain earlier.

In the case where the 3-D image identification information I1 indicates that the 3-D image format data F1 is not 3-D image display data, the 3-D image control data analyzing means 501 does not output the control information I2. Instead, the 3-D image control data analysis means 501 outputs information indicating the direct display mode of the input image as display mode information M1 to the 3-D image display unit. At the same time, the 3-D image control data analyzing means 501 switches the switch 503 so that the image data decoding means 502 outputs the image data 01. At the same time, the 3-D image control data analysis means 501 outputs the encoded data D to the image data decoding means 502 . The image data decoding means 502 then decodes the data D. The decoded data is assumed to be 2-D image data W1 and output as output data 01, which is then input as input image A1 to the 3-D image display unit shown in FIG.

The image data stored in the above-mentioned 3-D image format data F1 may be uncoded. For example, the data may be uncompressed.

Also, in the above description, although the display mode information M1 is obtained from the 3-D image control information I1, M1 may also be input from outside, and such an input external value may be preferentially used. However, the value in the display mode information M1 forcibly specifies the input image direct display mode only when the 3-D image control information I1 indicates that the 3-D image format data F1 is not 3-D image display data.

Furthermore, the 3-D image control information part of the above-mentioned 3-D image format data F1 may be repeatedly inserted into the data F1. FIG. 9 shows an example of how to receive broadcast 3-D image content. For example, the mobile reception terminal 22 receives electric waves broadcasting 3-D image content from the broadcast satellite 21 . In this regard, the broadcast content is composed of a plurality of pieces of program arrangement information and 3-D image content. The 3-D image control information part can also be inserted in the program arrangement information as part of the information.

In the 3-D image format data F1, the 3-D image control information section may be inserted into the image data section. For example, in the case of encoding the data in the image data section with MPEG-4, the 3-D image control information section may also be inserted at a predetermined position specified by the MPEG-4 encoded data.

Although time measurement/judgment means 4 starts time measurement when 3-D image display starts in the above description, time measurement/judgment means 4 may receive data from the 3-D image control information section for the first time after reception of broadcast content starts. At that time, or when the program schedule information is received for the first time in the case where the 3-D image control information part data is included in the program schedule information, the measurement starts. Also, in the case where the program arrangement information on which time information necessary to reproduce a program is included is received for the first time, the time measuring/judging means 4 may start measuring time when forming a 3-D image by means of the information.

Although the 3-D image format data F1 is transmitted by broadcasting in the above example, a network such as the Internet may also be used for transmitting F1. F1 may also be recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk, an optical disc, etc. instead of the above transfer method.

Fig. 10 shows an example of recording and using a 3-D image format data F1 stream on a recording medium. Assume now that 3-D image data is input to 3-D image encoding means 510. 3-D image encoding means 510 then encodes the input 3-D image data and forms 3-D image format data F1, and then converts the formed 3-D image data into -D image format data F1 is output to the recording medium 511 . The recording medium 511 may be a hard disk, an optical disk, etc., and can record input digital data. The 3-D image format data F1 is output from the recording medium 511 to the 3-D image decoding device 512 . Then, the 3-D image decoding means 512 is similar to the above-mentioned 3-D image decoding means 500, decodes the 3-D image format data F1, and then outputs control information I2, display mode information M1, and 3-D image data.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the 3-D image format data F1 stream when the network is used as the F1 transmission path. For example, 3-D image data will be input to the 3-D image encoding device 520 . Then the 3-D image encoding device 520 encodes the input 3-D image data to form 3-D image format data F1. The 3-D image format data F1 is sent to the 3-D image decoding device 523 through the network 522. 3- The D image decoding means 523 is similar to the 3-D image decoding means 500, and decodes the 3-D image format data F1 and outputs control information I2, display mode information M1, and 3-D image data, respectively.

The 3-D image format data F1 to be transmitted can be converted into data convenient for use by BS, CS, and other broadcasting systems. For example, 3-D image data can be input to the 3-D image encoding device 520. The 3-D image encoding device 520 encodes the input 3-D image data to form 3-D image format data F1, and then converts the formed format The data F1 is output to the BS data forming means 521 . The BS data forming means 521 then forms BS data using the 3-D image format data F1, and then outputs the formed BS data to the BS data decoding means 524 through the network 522. The BS data decoding means 524 decodes the input BS data to form 3-D image format data F1, and then outputs F1 to the 3-D image decoding means 523. Then, the 3-D image decoding means 523 is similar to the 3-D image decoding means 500, decodes the 3-D image format data F1, and then outputs the control information I2, the display mode information M1, and the 3-D image data respectively.

In this way, the 3-D image display unit can obtain TIME1 and TIME2 from the values set in the control information I2 for object processing. The display unit facilitates setting TIME1 and TIME2 as a 3-D image in accordance with object data to be displayed.

Next, processing for the case where there are three input images will be described. FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of the 3-D image display unit in the first embodiment when the display unit processes the three input images.

This 3-D image display unit includes a 3-D image forming device 600 for forming 3-D image data using input of multi-viewpoint image data taken from three viewpoints (input images X, Y, and Z), and then Outputting 3-D image data to frame memory 2; 2-D image forming means 6 for forming a 2-D image from any one of multi-viewpoint images; switches 11, 12 for switching between input/output image data , 601 to 603; a switch control means 604 for controlling these switches in accordance with display mode information M'1 indicating whether to use multi-viewpoint image data to generate 3-D display or 2-D display; for storing The image formed by the device 600 or the 2-D image forming device 6 or the frame memory 2 of the input image as it is; both 3-D display and 2-D display are allowed, and are stored in the frame memory 2 according to the display mode information M'1 A display device 3 for displaying image data in a 3-D image or a 2-D image; when a 3-D image is displayed, a time measuring/judging device 4 for measuring a display time of a 3-D image; - The parallax control device 5 that instructs the 3-D image forming device 600 to form a 3-D image by adjusting the parallax of each multi-viewpoint image when the D image display time reaches a preset value.

The display mode information M'1 will be described later.

Frame memory 2, display means 3, time measurement/judgment means 4, disparity control means 5, 2-D image forming means 6, and switches 11 and 12 all operate as in the first embodiment when the display unit processes two inputs These means in the 3-D image display unit are the same in the image, so the same numbers/letters are used for these means shown in FIG. 12 . Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention when the display unit processes three input images will be described with reference to FIG. 12 .

First, display mode information M'1 is input to switch control means 604 from the outside. The display mode information M'1 has eight types; 3-D image display modes 1 to 4, 2-D image display modes 1 to 3, and input image direct display modes. The 3-D image display unit is in a 3-D image display mode using two or three input images, a 2-D image display mode using any one of the input images, and an input image displaying each input 2-D image as it is Switch between direct display modes.

Table 4 summarizes the relationship between the values of display mode information M'1, mode names, and images displayed in these modes.

Table 4 Display mode information M'1 schema name display image 1 3-D image display mode 3-D image (2 viewpoints) formed from input images X and Y 2 3-D image display mode 3-D image (2 viewpoints) formed from input images Y and Z 3 3-D image display mode 3-D image (2 viewpoints) formed from input images X and Z 4 3-D image display mode 3-D image (3 viewpoints) formed from input images X, Y and Z 5 2-D image display mode 2-D image formed from input image X 6 2-D image display mode 2-D image formed from input image Y 7 2-D image display mode 2-D image formed from input image Z 8 Input image direct display mode input image X (any one of input images X, Y and Z)

In 3-D image display mode 1, input images X and Y are used to form a displayed 3-D image (2 viewpoints). In 3-D image display mode 2, input images Y and Z are used to form a displayed 3-D image (2 viewpoints). In 3-D image display mode 3, input images X and Z are used to form a displayed 3-D image (2 viewpoints). In 3-D image display mode 4, input images X, Y, and Z are used to form a displayed 3-D image (3 viewpoints).

In 2-D image display mode 1, the input image X is used to form a displayed 2-D image. In 2-D image display mode 2, the input image Y is used to form a displayed 2-D image. In 2-D image display mode 3, the input image Z is used to form a displayed 2-D image. In the 2-D image direct display mode, any one of the input images X, Y, and Z is displayed as a 2-D image as it is.

Hereinafter, the operation of the 3-D image display unit in each of the above 8 display modes will be explained. First, the operation of the display unit when the 3-D image display modes 1 to 3 are set in the display mode information M'1 will be described.

Any one of the display modes 1 to 3 is input to the switch control means 604 first. The switch control means 604 then turns off the switch 602 with reference to Table 4 and controls the switches 11 and 12 so that image data (any two of the input images X, Y and Z) necessary to form the 3-D image data of the selected mode are input to 3-D image forming device 600, and controls switch 603 so that 3-D image forming device 600 is connected to frame memory 2. Then, the 3-D image forming apparatus 600 forms 3-D image data ( 2 viewpoints), and then output the formed image data to the frame memory 2. Finally, 3-D image data is input from the frame memory 2 to the display device 3 . The display device 3 thus displays the input 3-D image data (2-viewpoint image data) as a 3-D image.

The parallax control means 5 performs the same operation as in the above-mentioned case where the display unit processes two input image data, and displays a 3-D image by adjusting the parallax.

Although the display device 3 is a binocular type device for displaying right-eye and left-eye images (2-viewpoint images), the device 3 may be a compound-eye device for displaying 3-viewpoint images. At this point, the 3-D image display mode 4 can be selected.

Next, the operation of the display unit when the 3-D image display mode 4 is set in the display mode information M'1 will be described.

First, the 3-D image display mode 4 is input to the switch control means 604 . The switch control means 604 then turns off the switch 602 with reference to Table 4, and controls the switches 11 and 12 so that image data (input images X, Y, and Z) required to form a 3-D image of the selected mode are input to the 3-D image The device 600 is formed, and the switch 603 is controlled so that the 3-D image forming device 600 is connected to the frame memory 2 . Then, the 3-D image forming apparatus 600 forms 3-D image data (3-viewpoint image), and then writes the formed image into the frame memory 2 . Finally, the 3-D image data is input from the frame memory 2 to the display device. The display device 3 thus displays the input 3-D image data (3-viewpoint image) as a 3-D image.

Next, 3-D image data (3-viewpoint image) formed by the 3-D image forming apparatus 600 will be described with reference to FIG. 13 . FIG. 13 shows an example of how 3-D image data is formed and displayed when the display unit processes three input images.

Assume now that each of input image data X, Y, and Z is vertically divided into striped images X1 to X8, Y1 to Y8, and Z1 to Z8, respectively. At this point, it is assumed that each of the display image data X, Y, and Z is smaller in size in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction.

For example, as shown in FIG. 13, in the case where the input image data X, Y, and Z in the frame shown in bold are actually to be displayed, the 3-D image data (3 viewpoints) is composed of X2, Y3, Z4, X5, Y6 and Z7 form. As mentioned above, the 3-D image display unit has slits 301 on its screen to send the X2 and X5 images displayed on the screen to the user's left eye, and the Y3 and Y6 images to the user's right eye, respectively. , so the user can view the 3-D image at position 1. And, when the user moves to the right, the Y3 and Y6 images are sent to the user's left eye, and the Z4 and Z7 images are sent to the user's right eye, respectively, so the user observes a 3-D image at position 2.

At this time, parallax adjustment is performed as follows: between images of more than 3 viewpoints, the parallax between two viewpoint images recognized by the user is in the same manner as in the case where the above display unit processes two input image data items Make adjustments.

For example, first, the parallax at viewing point 1 is adjusted. Specifically, the bolded frames of the input image data X and Y, respectively, are shifted to form the target 3-D image, thereby adjusting the parallax at viewing point 1 . At this point, the frame indicated in bold of the input image data Z is moved to the same distance as the input image data Y at the adjacent viewpoint, and placed there to form the target 3-D image. And, while keeping the parallax of viewing point 2 constant, the parallax of viewing point 1 is changed.

Then, the parallax at viewing point 2 can be adjusted. For example, as explained in the adjustment of the parallax of viewing point 1, the frame in bold of the input image Z is moved to the same distance as the frame in bold of the input image data Y, and then the frame of the input image Z is shifted further Frames in bold form the 3-D image of the object, adjusting for parallax at viewing point 2.

As described above, even when the display device is a compound eye type device for displaying 3-viewpoint images, parallax at each of viewing points 1 and 2 can be adjusted in the same method as in the case of using two input images.

Next, the operation of the 3-D image display unit when each of the 2-D image display modes 1 to 3 is set in the display mode information M'1 will be explained. First, any one of 2-D image display modes 1 to 3 is input to the switch control means 604 . Then, the switch control means 604 turns off the switches 11, 12, and 601 with reference to Table 4, and controls the switch 602 so that the image required for forming the 3-D image of the selected mode (any one of the input images X, Y, and Z a) Input to the 2-D image forming device 6, and then control the switch 603 so that the 2-D image forming device 6 is connected to the frame memory 2. Then, the 2-D image forming device 6 forms a 3-D image in the same manner as in the 2-D image display mode in which right/left eyes are set in the display mode information M1 described above in the case where the display unit processes two input images. image, and then output the formed image to the frame memory 2. Finally, the 2-D image is input from the frame memory 2 to the display device 3 . The display device 3 thus displays the input image data as a 3-D image on its screen.

Next, the operation of the 3-D image display unit when the input image direct display mode is set in the display mode information M'1 will be described. First, the input image direct display mode is input to the switch control means 604 . Then, the switch control means 604 turns off the switches 11, 12 and 601, and then controls the switches 602 and 603 so as to input the input image X (any one of the input images X, Y and Z) to the frame memory 2. The input image is thus output to the frame memory 2 . Finally, the 2-D image is input from the frame memory 2 to the display device 3 . The display device thus displays the input 2-D image on its screen as it is.

This completes the description of the operation of the 3-D image display unit in accordance with the data set in the display mode information M'1. And, similarly to the case of using two input images, each 3-D image can be displayed by adjusting the parallax according to the user's eyestrain. At the same time, 2-D images can also be displayed on demand.

Even if the number of input images has m (m: an integer of 4 or more), as in the case where the number of input images increases from 2 to 3, by increasing The number of switches 600, the number of connections between switches 602 and inputs and the type of display mode information M'1, each 3-D image can be displayed and parallax can also be adjusted.

The image data portion of the 3-D image format data F1 may be composed of n viewpoints (n≧1). At this point, the number of viewpoints included in the 3-D image format data F1 may be included in the control information I2. At this time, for example, in the 3-D image decoding device 500 shown in FIG. , and separate the output 3-D image W according to the number of viewpoints.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 14 shows a block diagram of a 3-D image display unit in a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the 3-D image display unit includes a 3-D image forming device 100 for forming a 3-D image from input right-eye and left-eye images; One of the 2-D image forming devices 6 that forms a 2-D image; the switches 11 to 14 for switching the input/output image to another image, respectively; the switches 11 to 14 for controlling each of the switches 11 to 14 in accordance with the display mode information M1 switch control means 10; frame memory 2 for storing images formed by 3-D image forming means 100 or 2-D image forming means 6 or input images as they are; for storing images stored in frame memory 2 in accordance with display mode information M1 A display device 3 for displaying an image of an image as a 3-D or 2-D image, a time measuring/judging device 101 for measuring the display time of each 3-D image; and a display device 101 for instructing the 3-D image forming device 100 to display The warning display control means 102 displays a warning message on the 3-D image. In this configuration, the frame memory 2, display means 3, 2-D image forming means 6, switch control means 10, switches 11 to 14 are all the same as those of the 3-D image display unit in the first embodiment, and thus The same numbers/letters as in the first embodiment will be used in FIG. 14 .

Similar to the first embodiment, first display mode information M1 is input to the switch control device 10 from the outside. The display mode information M1 is the same as in the first embodiment. Also, the operation of the display unit in the input image direct display mode and the 2-D image display mode using the left-eye or right-eye image is also the same as in the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the display unit when the 3-D image display mode is set in the display mode information M1 will be described.

First, left-eye image data L and right-eye image data R are input from the outside to the 3-D image forming apparatus 100 as input images A1 and A2, respectively.

In the case where the 3-D image display mode is set in the display mode information M1 , the switch control device 10 turns on the switches 11 and 12 and controls the switch 14 so that the 3-D image forming device 100 is connected to the frame memory 2 . Then, the left-eye image data L and the right-eye image data R are input from the outside to the 3-D image forming apparatus 100 through the switches 11 and 12, respectively. Then, the 3-D image forming apparatus 100 forms 3-D image data, and then writes the formed image data into the frame memory 2 . Finally, 3-D image data is input from the frame memory 2 to the display device 3 . The display device 3 thus displays the input 3-D image data as a 3-D image on the screen.

Here, the operation of the 3-D image display unit for displaying a 3-D image shown in FIG. 14 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 15 .

In an initial state, the 3-D image display unit displays a 3-D image (S21). The time measurement/judgment device 100 shown in FIG. 14 thus measures the display time of the 3-D image during display. Then, when the 3-D image is displayed, the 3-D image forming device 100 transmits a 3-D image display notification signal to the time measuring/judging device 101 . Upon receiving this signal, the time measuring/judging means 101 starts measuring time t3. At this point, the time measurement/judgment means 101 starts measuring time when 3-D image display is started.

The time measuring/judging means 101 judges whether the measured time t3 exceeds a preset time TIME3 (S22). In a case where the judgment result is 'No' (not exceeded), the control returns to step 21, and the time measurement/judgment means 101 continues the 3-D image display. When the determination result is "Yes" (exceeded), the warning display control device 102 instructs the 3-D image forming device 100 to write a warning message in a 3-D image on the displayed 3-D image. Upon receiving the command signal, the 3-D image forming apparatus 100 forms a message 3-D image so that a warning message is overlaid on the displayed 3-D image, and then outputs the formed image (S23). The warning message is thus displayed at the front of the 3-D image (as if the message was seen at the front of the user).

At this point, the 3-D image of the warning message can be formed by overlaying the message giving a parallax on the currently displayed 3-D image, and then merging the two images, for example, so that the 3-D warning message can be displayed at a distance At the limited depth of the screen, from where the user can recognize the 3-D message with difficulty. The parallax given at this time is defined as the parallax of the 3-D image display limitation.

Instead of each 3-D image in the above example, only the left (right) eye image can be used to form a 2-D image, and then parallax is provided to the warning message so that only the warning message is displayed as a 3-D image. After this, the message is overlaid and merged with the 2-D image into a 3-D image. In addition, instead of each 3-D image in the above example, it is also possible to form a 2-D image with a preset image, and then parallax is provided to the warning message. Thereafter, the message is overlaid and merged with the 2-D image to become a 3-D image. For example, a black screen can be formed and a warning message can be overlaid on the screen.

Furthermore, it is also possible to use the left-eye and right-eye images of the currently displayed 3-D image to find the disparity vectors in each block separated by a preset number of pixels. Then, among the obtained vector values, the vector value in which the message having the largest depth to the screen is preset as the maximum parallax, and the parallax larger than the maximum value serves as a warning message. At this time, the given disparity should not exceed the 3-D image limit disparity. The disparity vector can also be obtained by block matching or the like. The maximum disparity can also be obtained from data other than the disparity vector of each block, for example, from the disparity vector of each pixel.

Next, the signals exchanged between the 3-D image forming device 100 , the time measurement/judgment device 101 , and the warning display control device 102 will be described with reference to Table 5.

table 5

State [2-1] indicates the time/time at which the measuring device 101 starts measuring the 3-D image display. In this state, the 3-D image forming device 100 outputs a 3-D image display notification signal to the time measuring/judging device 101 . This signal indicates that the 3-D image display unit is displaying a 3-D image.

The state [2-2] represents that the measurement time of the time measurement/judgment means 101 has reached the preset time TIME3, and the time measurement/judgment means 101 outputs the time measurement end signal T3 indicating arrival of TIME3 to the warning display control means 102, and the warning The display control device 102 outputs a signal for instructing the 3-D image forming device 100 to display a warning message on the currently displayed 3-D image. Therefore, the user can recognize the warning of viewing for an excessively long time, so that the user can be protected from eyestrain.

While in the above example, the warning message itself is formed as a 3-D image and is overlaid and displayed on the currently displayed 3-D image or a 2-D image converted from the 3-D image, the warning message itself may be a 2-D image. D image. Also, the warning message can be replaced by a beep, a light, or an indicator that is on for the warning. You can stop displaying warning messages or turn off display power for a preset time.

The above preset time TIME3 represents the allowable time for the user to continuously enjoy the 3-D images. The TIME3 may be stored as a preset value in a memory provided in the 3-D image display unit. The preset value of TIME3 may not be one; for example, for each element related to user's eyestrain while enjoying, such as the screen size of the input image, and the full reproduction time of the video when the input image data is video data, all In the case of setting one parameter, TIME3 can be preset as many as the number of combinations of these parameters. TIME3 can also be changed at will by the user.

Just like the 3-D image display unit shown in FIG. 7, the 3-D image decoding means for decoding the 3-D image format data F2, and the 3-D image decoding means for decoding the 3-D image format data F2 by the 3-D image decoding means The separating means for separating the D image into right-eye and left-eye image data may be arranged just before the 3-D image display unit shown in FIG. 14 . In this regard, the 3-D image format data F2, like the 3-D image format data F1 described in the first embodiment of the present invention, may be composed of a 3-D image control information portion and an image data portion . However, the value stored in the control information I2 provided by the 3-D image format data F2 is assumed to be equivalent to the time TIME3 described above, and this value may be replaced by the time TIME3 used by the time measurement/judgment means 101 .

The operations of the 3-D image decoding means and separating means in this case are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Data in the image data portion of the above-mentioned 3-D image format data F2 may be uncoded. For example, the data may be uncompressed. For example, the 3-D picture control information portion may be repeatedly inserted into the 3-D picture format data F2 as a part of the program arrangement information as in the first embodiment of the present invention.

Also, in the 3-D image format data F2, the 3-D image control information portion may be inserted into the image data portion as in the first embodiment of the present invention. For example, in the case where the image data is partially encoded with MPEG-4, the 3-D image control information may be inserted into a preset position of the data encoded with MPEG-4.

In the case where the 3-D image display unit includes receiving means for receiving the above broadcast data and recording means for recording the above broadcast data. When an external recording device is connected to the display unit, when the reception of broadcast 3-D image data exceeds the preset time TIME3, the display device of the 3-D image display unit can display a warning message and start recording, and then continue to record the subsequent broadcast content.

As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the time measurement/judgment means 101 measures time at the start of 3-D image display. However, in this second embodiment, the time measuring/judging means 101 receives the first data of the 3-D image control information part or the data in the 3-D image control information part is replaced after the start of receiving the broadcast content. In the case of being included in the program lineup information, the display time is measured when the first program lineup information is received. In a case where time information necessary to reproduce a program is included in the first received program schedule information, the time measurement/judgment means 101 can use the time created by this information to start time measurement.

Although in the first embodiment above, the 3-D image format data F2 is transmitted by broadcast waves, any kind of cable, network such as the Internet, and other means may be used as the transmission path. Instead of transmission, the 3-D image format data F2 is recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk, an optical disc, or the like.

In this way, the 3-D image display unit allows the time TIMR3 determined by the control information value in the 3-D image format data F2 to be replaced and used as in the first embodiment, and can be used in accordance with each A 3-D image is conveniently set for TIME3 of the time measuring/judging device 101.

Although the operation of the 3-D image display unit in the above first embodiment is explained in terms of using two input images, using three or more input images in the second embodiment can obtain the same Same effect in one embodiment.

The image data portion of the 3-D image format data F2 may be composed of images of n viewpoints (n: equal to or greater than 1). In this case, the 3-D image decoding means 500 and separating means 504 can be expanded in a similar manner to that of the first embodiment.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Fig. 16 shows a block diagram of a 3-D image display unit in a third embodiment of the present invention.

The 3-D image display unit in the third embodiment of the present invention includes a switch 201 for selecting display mode information M1 indicating whether 3-D or 2-D image display is allowed and 3-D information indicating that only 2-D images are displayed. One of the D image display mode information M2, so that it is converted into the input of the switch control device 200; the mode switch control device 202 with memory, the memory storage is used to control the 3-D image display prohibition sign of the on/off switch 201; 3-D image forming means 203 for forming a 3-D image from right-eye and left-eye image data; 2-D image forming means 6 for forming a 2-D image from any one of right-eye and left-eye image data ; switches 11 to 14 for switching between input/output image data; a switch control device 200 for controlling the switches 11 to 14; for storing an image formed by the switch control device 200 or 2-D image forming device 6 a frame memory 2; a display device 3 for displaying a 3-D image using the image data stored in the frame memory 2; a time measuring/judging device 204 for measuring the display time of each 3-D image; a power control means 206 for forcibly turning off all power supplies except the second time measurement/judgment means 205 when the 3-D image display time exceeds a preset time; Time measuring/judging means 205. The frame memory 2, the display device 3, the 2-D image forming device 6 and the switches 11 to 14 are all the same as those in the first and second embodiments described above. The same numbers/letters as in those embodiments will thus be used in FIG. 16 .

The display mode information M1 is the same as that described in the first embodiment. The 2-D display mode information M2 will be described later.

Similar to the first and second embodiments, first, display mode information M1 is input to the switch control device 200 from the outside. In the case where the input image direct display mode is set in the display mode information M1, and in the case where a 2-D image display is constituted using one of the left-eye and right-eye images, the operation of the display unit image is the same as in the first embodiment The display unit is the same.

Next, a case where the 3-D image display mode is set in the display mode information M1 will be described. First, display mode information M1 and 2-D display mode information M2 are input to the switch 201 from the outside. The switch 201 transmits either one of M1 and M2 as an input of the switch control device 200 . The mode switch control means turns on/off the switch 201 .

The mode switch control means 202 has an internal memory storing a 3-D display prohibition flag. The mode switch control means 202 controls the switch 201 . For example, the mode switch control means 202 controls the switch 201 so that the display mode information M1 is input to the switch control means when the 3-D display prohibition flag is set to 0, and the display mode information M1 is input to the switch control means when the flag is set to 1. The information M2 is input to the switch control device 200 . At the start of the operation with the initial value of the 3-D display prohibition flag set to 0, the switch 201 is connected to the display mode information M1.

Next, the 2-D display mode information M2 will be explained. As shown in Table 6, the information M2 is composed of only two items, the left-eye 2-D image display mode and the right-eye 2-D image display mode, as explained above with respect to the display mode information M1.

Table 6 2-D display mode information M2 schema name display image 1 Left eye 2-D image display mode 2-D image formed from left eye 2-D image included in 3-D image 2 Right eye 2-D image display mode 2-D image formed from right eye 2-D image included in 3-D image

FIG. 17 shows the workflow of the 3-D image display unit after the start of 3-D image display in the third embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the operation of the display unit in each display mode will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17 .

When the power of the display unit is turned on and the initial processing is ended, the display unit judges whether to display a 3-D image. This judgment is made in accordance with the value set in the display mode information M1. In case the 2-D image display mode is set in the display mode information M1, control goes to step 32, and the display unit displays the 2-D image in accordance with the value set in the display mode information M1.

In the case where the 3-D image display mode is set in the display mode information M1, the control goes from step 31 to step 33, and the 3-D display prohibition flag stored in the memory provided by the mode switch control means 202 is set to 0. , then control goes to step 34. In step 34, the 3-D image forming means 203 forms a target 3-D image and the time measurement/judgment means 204 measures a display time t4 of the 3-D image. At this point, the time measurement/judgment means 204 starts measurement when 3-D image display is started.

The display mode information M1 is input to the switch control device 200 . In the case where the 3-D image display mode is set in the information M1, the switch control means 200 turns on the switches 11 and 12 and turns off the switch 13, and then controls the switch 14 to connect the 3-D image forming means 203 to the frame memory 2. The switches 11 and 13 receive left-eye image data L and the switches 12 and 13 respectively receive right-eye image data R from the outside. Then, the left-eye image data L and the right-eye image data R are input to the 3-D image forming device 203 through the switches 11 and 12, respectively. The 3-D image forming device 203 forms the 3-D image forming device 203 as in the first embodiment. Image data, and then 3-D image data are written to the frame memory 2 through the switch 14 . The formed 3-D image data is input from the frame memory 2 to the display device 3 and displayed on the screen. When a 3-D image is displayed, the 3-D image forming device 203 sends a 3-D image display notification signal to the time measurement/judgment device 204, and the time measurement/judgment device 204 is input from the device 203 when the 3-D image display notification signal When there, measure the 3-D image display time.

After this, control goes to step 35 . The display time t4 measured by the time measurement/judgment means 204 is input to the power supply control means 206 . In step 35 , the power supply control means 206 determines whether the measured time t4 input from the time measuring/judging means 204 exceeds a preset time TIME4 . In the case of 'No' (not exceeded), control returns to step 34, and the 3-D image forming device 203 and the display device 3 are commanded to form a 3-D image and display the formed 3-D image, respectively. In the case that the judgment result is 'Yes' (exceeded), the control goes to step 36.

In step 36, the display unit commands the following operations. First, the display unit instructs the power control means 206 to send a 3-D display prohibition signal prohibiting the display of a 3-D image to the mode switch control means 202, and then sends a measurement start signal to the second time measurement/judgment means 205 to instruct the means 205 Reset the measurement time to 0 and start the measurement. Then, the display unit turns off some of the power supply there. For example, the display unit forcibly turns off all power supplies except the mode switch control device 202 and the second time measuring/judging device 205 . When receiving the 3-D display prohibition signal, the mode switch control means 202 sets the 3-D display prohibition flag stored in the memory provided in the mode switch control means 202 to 1 and stores the flag value "1" in the memory.

Here, the signals exchanged between the 3-D image forming means 203, the time measurement/judgment means 204, the power supply control means 206, the second time measurement/judgment means 205, and the mode switch control means 202 will be described with reference to Table 7. .

Table 7

State [5-1] indicates that the time measurement/judgment means 204 has started measurement of the 3-D image display time. In this state, a 3-D image display notification signal indicating that the display unit is displaying a 3-D image is output from the 3-D image forming device 203 to the time measuring/judging device 204 .

State [5-2] indicates that the measurement time of the time measuring/judging means 204 has reached the preset time TIME4. In this state, the time measurement/judgment means 204 outputs the time measurement end signal T4 indicating arrival of TIME4 to the power supply control means 206, and therefore, the power supply control means 206 resets the measurement time to 0 respectively. And the measurement start signal for starting the measurement is output to the second time measurement/judgment device 205 , and the 3-D display prohibition signal is sent to the mode switch control device 202 .

Upon receiving the measurement start signal, the second time measuring/judging means 205 starts measuring time T5 (3-D image display off time) after the 3-D display is stopped.

Then, control goes to step 37 . In step 37, the display unit judges whether the time t5 measured by the second time measuring/judging means 205 exceeds a preset time TIME5. In the case that the judgment result is 'Yes' (exceeded), the mode switch control means 202 sets 0 in the 3-D display prohibition flag, stores the flag in the memory, and then sends a measurement stop signal to the second time measurement/ The judging means 205 turns off the power of the mode switch control means 202 . After receiving the measurement stop signal, the second time measurement/judgment device 205 resets the measurement time t5, thereby turning off the power of the second time measurement/judgment device 205 .

Table 8 shows the signals exchanged between the second time measurement/judgment means 205 and the mode switch control means 202 .

Table 8

The state [6-1] indicates that the time t5 measured by the second time measuring/judging means 205 reaches the preset time TIME5. In this state, the second time measurement/judgment means 205 outputs a time measurement end signal T5 indicating arrival of TIME5 to the mode switch control means 202, and the mode switch control means 202 outputs a measurement stop signal to the second time measurement/judgment means. Judging means 205.

After some unit power supplies are turned off, even if they have not been turned on when the preset time TIME5 has been reached (in the case of no work to restart image display), the control goes to step 38, and the mode switch The control device 202 sets 0 in the 3-D display prohibition flag and stores the flag value in the memory, and then turns off all power supplies to end the work.

In the case where the judgment result in step 37 is 'NO' (not exceeded), the control goes to step 39 .

In step 39, the display unit judges whether any work is performed to display an image, that is, whether the power switch of any unit is pressed. If the judgment result is 'No' (not pressed), control returns to step 37, and the display unit continues to measure time t5. In the case that the judgment result is 'Yes' (pressed), the control goes to step 40, and the power supplies of all the display units are turned on. Then, the control goes to step 41, the display unit prohibits the display of the 3-D image, and then displays the 2-D image as follows.

For example, in FIG. 16 , display mode information M1 and 2-D display mode information M2 are input to the switch 201 from the outside. Then the mode switch control means 202 refers to the 3-D display prohibition flag stored in the memory and finds that the flag value is 1. The mode switch control means 202 thus controls the switch 201 so that the 2-D display mode information M2 is input to the switch control means 200 . The switch 201 is connected to the M2 side so that the information M2 is input to the switch control means through the switch 201 .

In the case where the left-eye 2-D image display mode is set in the information M2, the switch control device 200 turns off the switches 11 and 12 and turns on/off the switch 13 so that the left-eye image data L is input to the 2-D image forming device 6, and controls the switch 14 so that the 2-D image forming device 6 is connected to the frame memory 2. The 2-D image forming device 6 forms a 2-D image for the left eye and writes the formed image to the frame memory through the switch 14 2 in. The 2-D image is then input from the frame memory 2 to the display device 3 . The display device 2 displays the image data as a 2-D image. A 2-D image is formed at this time as when the left-eye 2-D image display mode described in the first and second embodiments of the present invention is set in the information M2. Therefore, each 2-D image is formed and displayed in accordance with the 2-D display mode information M2 as described above.

Even when the 2-D image is thus displayed, the second time measurement/judgment means 205 continues the measurement of the time t5, and the measured time t5 is input to the mode switch control means 202 just like the above 3-D image display case . In step 42, the display unit judges whether the measured time t5 reaches the preset time TIME5. If not, the display unit continues to display the 2-D image until the time t5 reaches the preset time TIME5. When the measurement time t5 reaches the time TIME5, the control goes to step 43, the mode switch control means 202 restarts the 3-D display, and sends the measurement stop signal to the second time measurement/judgment means 205. When the second time measuring/judging device 205 receives the measurement stop signal, it resets the measurement time and stops the time measurement. After that, control returns to step 33, and the mode switch control means 202 resets the 3-D display prohibition flag to 0 and stores the flag value in the memory. Thereafter, since 0 is set in the 3-D image prohibition flag, the display unit displays a 3-D image on the screen according to the display mode information M1.

At this time, in a case where a 3-D display permission signal for allowing 3-D image display is input to the mode switch control means 202, a 3-D image display permission message may be displayed on the screen.

In the case where the 3-D image is continuously displayed for a long time as described above, until the preset time TIME5 is reached, even when the user tries to turn on the power supply, it is possible to forcibly turn off the power and prohibit the display of the 3-D image, thereby Protect users from eye strain. In a case where the power of the 3-D image display unit is turned off and then turned on again before the preset time TIME5 is reached, the display unit can continue to display a 2-D image with less burden on the user's eyes.

When the display time t4 of the 3-D image reaches the preset time TIME4, only the power supply of the display device 3 can be turned off. After such power-off operation, the power supply of the display device 3 can be turned on again by pressing a button. For example, a power button may be pressed to turn on the power of the display device 3 .

The aforementioned preset time TIME4 represents a continuous viewing time in which the user can enjoy the target image as a 3-D image. Each of the times TIME4 and TIME5 may be stored as a preset value in a memory provided in the 3-D image display unit. The preset value of TIME4/TIME5 can be more than one. For example, factors related to eyestrain of the viewing time, such as the input image screen size, and the total reproduction time in the case where the target input image data is video data, etc., can be used as parameters, and according to the combination of these parameters The number of TIME4/TIME5 can have multiple values. User can be allowed to change the value of TIME4/TIME5.

Just like the configuration shown in FIG. 7, the 3-D image decoding means for decoding the 3-D image format data F3, and the 3-D image data for decoding by the 3-D image decoding means separate The means for separating the image data for the right eye and the left eye may be arranged before the 3-D image display unit as shown in FIG. 16 . In this regard, the 3-D image format data F3 is composed of a 3-D image control information portion and an image data portion like F1 and F2 in the first and second embodiments. The value stored in the control information I2 set in the 3-D image format data F3 is equivalent to the above-mentioned TIME4 and TIME5 values. The 3-D image display unit can obtain these values from F3 for use.

The control information I2 in the 3-D image format data F3 may have any one of TIME4 and TIME5, and the preset value in the control information I2 may be used for any data not stored in the control information I2.

The operations of the 3-D image decoding means and separating means are the same as those in the first and second embodiments. The data in the image data portion of the above-mentioned 3-D image format data F4 may be uncoded; for example, the data may be uncompressed.

The 3-D image control information part in the above-mentioned 3-D image format data F3 can be repeated as a part of program arrangement information similar to that described in any one of the first and second embodiments of the present invention. Insert in F3.

In the 3-D image format data F3, the 3-D image control information portion may be inserted in the image data portion similarly to that described in any of the first and second embodiments of the present invention. For example, in the case where data encoded with MPEG-4 is set in the image data portion, the 3-D image control information portion may be inserted at a preset position specified by the data encoded with MPEG-4.

As described above, the time measurement/judgment means 204 starts measurement when 3-D image display starts. However, just like in the first and second embodiments of the present invention, in the case of broadcasting, the time measurement/judgment means 204 can receive the first data of the 3-D image control information part after the start of the broadcasting. Display time is measured when the first program schedule information is received, or when any data in the 3-D image control information portion is included in the program schedule information. In case the time information required to reproduce a program is included in the first received program schedule information, the time generated with this information can be used to initiate any measurement performed by the time measuring/determining means 204 .

Although the 3-D image format data F3 is transmitted by broadcasting in the above description, the format data may also be transmitted via a cable or a network such as the Internet. Instead of the transmission, the information may be recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk, an optical disk or the like.

As described above, the 3-D image display unit can obtain TIME4 and TIME5 from the values in the control information set in the 3-D image format data F3 as in the first and second embodiments of the present invention. Thus, TIME4/TIME5 can be easily set in accordance with each data displayed as a 3-D image. And, as described above, in the case where the 3-D image is continuously displayed for a long time, the power of the 3-D image display unit is forcibly turned off, and then the power of the display unit is turned on again by the user, and the 3-D image is displayed. The unit may allow the display to be restored prior to a forced power down. For example, in a case where the power of the display unit is turned off while the file is being reproduced, the display unit can restore the display before the power is turned off. In a case where the power of the display unit is turned off while the user is watching a program of a broadcast channel, the user can resume the broadcast of the same channel immediately after the power is forcibly turned off.

When the display unit is equipped with a receiving device and a recording device for receiving the above-mentioned broadcast, or is equipped with a receiving device and is connected to an external recording device, when the user continuously watches 3-D images exceeding the preset time TIME4, the power supply of the display unit can be It is turned off when receiving a 3-D image broadcast, and starts recording immediately, while the receiving device and the recording device can keep their power supplies turned on to continue receiving and recording the broadcast. Therefore, the 3-D image broadcast recorded when the power supply is turned off can be played back later.

Although the operation of the 3-D image display unit is explained in terms of using two input images, this embodiment can also be expanded using any of the same methods as those described in the first and second embodiments of the present invention. to handle the case where three input images are used.

The image data portion of the 3-D image format data F3 may include images of n (n≧1) viewpoints. In such a case, the 3-D image decoding means 500 and the separating means 504 can be extended in the same way as any one of the first and second embodiments of the present invention described.

The 3-D image display unit in the first and second embodiments of the present invention described above may be provided with means for storing a password, and a password input portion for inputting a password and requiring the password every time the user uses the display unit. At this point, the display unit may distinguish users by each password and manage the 3-D image display time for each user.

Since each user is distinguished by his/her password, and each user's 3-D image display time is managed in this way, each user can use the 3-D image display unit regardless of the conditions under which other viewers have been Use the display unit. In other words, because the display unit requires each user his/her password to use the display unit and differentiates each user in this way to manage the 3-D display time even when the user is using it in the 3-D image display mode for a long time The display unit, so that after the power supply is forcibly turned off, another user can still use the display unit in the 3-D image display mode.

This third embodiment of the present invention can also be applied by switching to any one of 3-D image display, warning display, and 2-D image display and using a password for each user by adjusting the parallax according to the present invention. For any compound eye type display device.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

As described in the first embodiment, each 3-D image has parallax and the user perceives each image as a 3-D image due to the parallax. Although the disparity varies from pixel to pixel in each 3-D image, a 3-D image with many pixels with large parallax appears more stereoscopic while a 3-D image with fewer pixels with large parallax The three-dimensional sense is not very clear. An index indicating the scale of such a three-dimensional feeling is called "3-D intensity". This fourth embodiment deals with how to limit the 3-D display method when multiple 3-D images have different 3-D intensity values.

The 3-D intensity can be determined objectively from the average of the disparity values of the pixels (the average of the disparity values of the full screen of the still picture and the average of the disparity values of the full video image), or can be determined by subjective evaluation. The 3-D intensity can also be determined by a weighted average of the two. For subjective evaluation, any one of weighted average, median, maximum, etc. may be used in place of the average. In the case of video, the maximum value is taken from each frame, and any one of the average value, median value, maximum value, etc. of the maximum values of all frames can be used as the subjective evaluation value.

In general, when viewing a 3-D image with a large 3-D intensity value, users experience eye fatigue earlier than when viewing a 3-D image with a small 3-D intensity value, so the 3-D image allows display time should be Varies according to 3-D intensity.

FIG. 19 shows the relationship between 3-D intensity (I) and 3-D image display allowable time. Fig. 19A shows the case of I=1, where it is assumed that the "cumulative intensity" (ordinate) can be calculated to increase at a certain rate (k=α) along with the 3-D image display time (abscissa). The cumulative intensity value is 0 at time 0 and TH at time t1. TH represents a preset threshold value, and the 3-D image display unit of the present invention will complete the following processing at time (t1) when the cumulative intensity reaches TH.

(1) Switch the display mode from 3-D image display to 2-D image display.

(2) Parallax is reduced to continue 3-D image display.

(3) Display a warning message on the screen.

When the method (1) is adopted, t1 represents the allowable time (3-D image display time) to continue the current 3-D image display. The message in (3) indicates that the 3-D image display time of interest exceeds the allowed time and prompts the user to switch to 2-D image display. Some treatments can be replaced by any one treatment, some of them can be combined. For example, (1) and (2) may be combined, and when the current display mode is switched to 2-D image display, a switching message is displayed on the screen.

Fig. 19B shows the case of I = 2, in which the cumulative intensity is calculated as in Fig. 19A above when a certain rate k is assumed to be doubled (k = 2α). Therefore, the time (t2) for the cumulative intensity to reach the threshold value becomes half of t1. In the case where the method (1) is employed, the 3-D image display allowable time becomes half that shown in FIG. 19A .

In general, the cumulative intensity (AI) is expressed as follows using the 3-D intensity I and the 3-D image display time t.

AI=f(I,t)

Here, it is assumed that f(I, t) is a function of I and t. In FIG. 19, f(I,t)=k(I).t is satisfied. However, k(I) is a function of I and in FIG. 19, it is assumed that k(I)=α.I(α: integer).

Other functions can be used for f and k as follows; for example, a linear function, a twice function or other functions, or any other function can be used. The constants m, α, β are determined by testing. In the case where α is true, k(I) in the above expression becomes a monotonically increasing function of I. When k(I) is positive, f(I, t) in the above expression becomes a monotonically increasing function of t.

In the case where the cumulative intensity increases with time as shown in FIG. 19, the 3-D image display unit of the present invention increases the cumulative intensity by a certain amount (s.I) every certain time interval. "s" represents a preset constant and the relationship between "s" and α is as follows:

α=(s/d)

Figure 20 shows the relationship between cumulative intensity and time in this case. For example, in the case of a 3-D image with time expressed in seconds and having a 3-D intensity I=1 whose 3-D intensity I increases by 3 per second, then d=1 and s=3.

The cumulative intensity increases by a value of s.I each time, and the cumulative intensity is compared with the threshold value TH in the 3-D image display unit of the present invention. In the case that the cumulative intensity is less than TH, the current 3-D image display is continued. In a case where the cumulative intensity exceeds TH, any one of the processes of (1) to (3) is performed.

In other words, the display mode of the 3-D image display unit can be switched according to the magnitude relationship between the threshold value and the cumulative intensity. For example, assume that the threshold value input to the 3-D image display unit is changed from TH0 to TH1 at time t1. On the assumption that TH1=0, the display mode of the 3-D image display unit is switched to any one of the above-mentioned (1) to (3) processes at t1 regardless of the value of the accumulated intensity.

As shown in FIG. 8, the 3-D image format data of the 3-D image content is composed of the 3-D image control information part including the 3-D image identification information I1 and the control information I2, and the coded data D composed of image data. The control information I2 includes information of 3-D_intensity, 3-D__threshold, display_mode and 2-D__picture_select. The display mode mentioned here means information indicating a display mode in which the 3-D image display unit displays image data when the accumulated intensity exceeds a threshold value. For example, there are modes described in (1) to (3) above.

For example, in the case that the cumulative intensity is below the threshold value (TH>0), the current display mode is maintained. In case the cumulative intensity exceeds the threshold value (TH≥0), the current display mode is switched to another one. When TH>0, the 3-D image data creator, image data provider, etc. cannot control the time when the accumulated intensity exceeds the threshold value. However, in the case of a threshold value of 0, when the display unit gets a threshold value of 0, the cumulative intensity always exceeds the threshold value. Therefore, any one of the 3-D image data creator, image data supplier, etc. can control the display mode of the 3-D image display unit in such a case. In other words, an appropriate display mode can be selected from the following modes.

(1) Switch the current display mode from 3-D display mode to 2-D display mode.

(2) Maintain the current 3-D image display and reduce parallax to reduce user's eyestrain.

(3) A warning message such as "quickly stop 3-D image display to protect you from eyestrain" is displayed on the screen.

A 3-D image data creator, an image data provider, or the like can designate any one of modes (1) to (3) in the 3-D image control information section for a 3-D image display unit. For example, in the case of pre-designated mode (1), when the display unit receives the threshold value TH=0, the mode is switched to the 2-D image display mode.

In a case where no designated display mode is input to the unit in the 3-D image control information part or a user's request, the display unit displays the target image data using a preset display mode or a display mode designated by the user.

In the case where the 2-D display mode is selected and the 2-D display image selection information indicates right-eye image data, the right-eye image data is used to display the target 2-D image. In a case where the selection information indicates left-eye image data, the left-eye image data is used to display a 2-D image.

As described in the first embodiment of the present invention, the 3-D image control information part can be repeatedly inserted in any position of the 3-D image format data so that the 3-D image data creator, image data provider or the like One can reset the threshold value TH to 0 (to switch the display mode) at any position of the 3-D image format data.

For example, FIG. 9 shows an example of receiving broadcast waves of 3-D image content. In the broadcast content composed of a plurality of pieces of program arrangement information and a plurality of 3-D image contents, the program arrangement information includes the 3-D image control information part (control information I2), and the threshold value TH can be inserted into the program every time. Inserted in the format data when arranging information. Thus the threshold value TH can be reset to 0 at this time. For example, in a case where the display mode is (1), the 3-D image display unit can switch the display mode to the 2-D display mode.

Also, as described in the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8, the 3-D image control information portion may be inserted in the image data portion. In this case, the display mode of the 3-D image display unit can be switched for each frame.

3-D image control information can also be inserted not only in broadcast air waves, but also in 3-D image content exchanged through cables, networks such as the Internet, etc., and can also be inserted in files recorded on hard disks, optical discs, etc. 3-D image content.

FIG. 21 shows another example of the relationship between 3-D intensity, cumulative intensity, and time allowed for 3-D visualization. In this example, it is assumed that the rate of increase of the cumulative intensity is the same between when the 3-D intensity I is 1 and when it is 2, and that the threshold value TH is different between them. In other words, TH=1 is used for I=1 and TH2 (half of TH1) is used for I=2. Therefore, in the case of I=1, the cumulative intensity I reaches the threshold value TH at t1. In the case of I=2, the cumulative intensity reaches the threshold value TH at t2, which is half of t1. When the cumulative intensity reaches the threshold value TH, the 3-D image display unit performs any one of the processes in (1) to (3).

Thus, the present invention achieves the object of this embodiment even when different threshold values are used for different 3-D intensity values.

Next, how to restrict 3-D display in the case where a plurality of 3-D images having different 3-D intensity values are continuously displayed will be described.

Fig. 22 shows the relationship between display time and cumulative intensity. In this example, 3-D images with 3-D intensity I=1 are displayed between time 0 and time a, respectively. Then, a 3-D image with 3-D intensity I=3 is displayed between time a and time b, respectively, and a 3-D image with 3-D intensity I=3 after time b and time b, respectively be shown. At this point, the cumulative intensity grows between time 0 and time a with slope k=2α, between time a and time b with slope k=α, and between time b and after time b with slope k=3α increase. THm represents a threshold value, and at the time c at which the cumulative intensity reaches THm, any one of the above-mentioned processes (1) to (3) may be performed.

In the case of selecting process (1), the 3-D image display unit switches the display mode to 2-D display at time c. Thereafter, although not described in detail, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22 , the display unit reduces the accumulated intensity at a certain rate at time c and after time c and restores the original 3-D display when the accumulated intensity reaches 0 .

Fig. 23 shows a block diagram of the 3-D image display unit in this embodiment.

The 3-D image control information generating means 2301 generates the 3-D image control information part as shown in FIG. 8 from the 3-D intensity and the threshold value. For example, the 3-D intensity takes an integer between 1 and 4, which is represented by a 2-bit variable "3-D_intensity". The threshold value takes a variable between 0 and 65535, which is represented by a 16-bit variable "3-D_threshold". These information items are assumed to be coded as fixed or variable length. And, in the case where they are coded as variables, it is assumed that a Huffman coding method, an arithmetic coding method, or the like, etc. can be used.

The 3-D image encoding means 2302 encodes raw image data using a still image encoding method such as JPEG or the like, or a video encoding method such as MPEG or the like. It is assumed that original image data is composed of right-eye image data and left-eye image data. Right-eye image data and left-eye image data are respectively narrowed and then merged to obtain right and left target image data. These processes are performed here as preprocessing. In addition to image compression using JPEG, MPEG, etc., the encoding process mentioned here also includes the representation of bitmaps and computer graphics.

The multiplexing means 2303 obtains the 3-D image format data by multiplexing the coded object data and the 3-D image control information part. At this point, 3-D image control information is also inserted in the 3-D image format data. This insertion method has already been explained with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, so its details are omitted here. The composite 3-D image format data is stored in a recording medium, or sent to a transmission medium.

In this way, information representing the 3-D intensity and the threshold value of each 3-D image is stored or transmitted together with the encoded data of the 3-D image.

Fig. 24 shows a block diagram of the 3-D image display unit in this embodiment.

The demultiplexing means 2401 inputs 3-D image format data stored in a recording medium or transmitted to a transmission medium, and separates the data into coded data and 3-D image control information parts.

The 3-D image decoding means 2403 decodes the encoded data to obtain target decoded image data. Assume that image data to be decoded is composed of right-eye image data and left-eye image data. As described above, the 3-D image decoding device also separates it here into right-eye image data and left-eye image data.

The 3-D image control information analyzing means 2402 analyzes the 3-D image control information part to decode the 3-D intensity and threshold value. For example, the display unit obtains a 2-bit variable "3-D_intensity" as a 3-D intensity value and a 16-bit variable "3-D_threshold" as a threshold value.

Then, the means 2402 decodes the above-mentioned information representing the 3-D intensity and the threshold value stored or received together with the encoded data of each 3-D image.

Fig. 25A shows a block diagram of the 3-D image display unit in this embodiment. The display unit restricts 3-D display with the 3-D intensity and the threshold value using the method in the above-mentioned processes (1) to (3).

The display control means 2501 calculates the cumulative intensity in accordance with the 3-D intensity, and controls the 3-D image forming means 2502, the 2-D image forming means 2503, the switch 2504 in accordance with the comparison result between the accumulated intensity and the threshold value as described below. , and display device 2505 .

When the cumulative intensity value is below the threshold, the display unit operates the 3-D image forming device 2502 to form a displayed 3-D image, and stops the 2-D image forming device 2503 from working. The switch 2504 is connected to the 3-D image forming device 2502 so that the 3-D display image is sent to the display device 2502 . Then, the display unit sets the display device 2505 to a 3-D display mode to display a 3-D display image.

In the case where the cumulative intensity exceeds the threshold value, and 3-D display is restricted as in (1), the display unit operates the 2-D image forming means 2503 to form a 2-D display image and exits 3-D image formation Device 2502 works. A switch 2504 is connected to a 2-D image forming device 2503 so that a 2-D display image is sent to a display device 2505 . The display unit then sets the display device 2505 to display a 2-D display image in the 2-D display mode.

In the case where the 3-D intensity exceeds the threshold value, and the 3-D display is limited as in the process (2), the 3-D image forming means 2502 operates the same as when the accumulated intensity is below the threshold value. Same. The display device 2501 switches the operation mode of the 3-D image forming device 2502, and the 3-D image forming device 2502 forms a 3-D image with lower parallax using the method described above.

When the same display mode is used for the two thresholds TH>0 and TH=0 as described above, the display mode can be flexible as described below in accordance with the degree of eye fatigue of the user caused by the 3-D image data ground control.

When the 3-D image data creator or image data provider judges that the user's eyes are not greatly affected by the 3-D image data, the threshold TH>0 can be used, and the display mode can be in (1) to (3) any of the . When the 3-D image data creator or image data provider judges that the user's eyes may be greatly affected by the 3-D image data, a threshold value TH=0 can be used, and the display mode is limited to (1), And immediately switch to 2-D display mode. Incorporating threshold and display modes also allows such a control method.

In the above example, the image data used in the 2-D image forming device 2503 is switched between right-eye image data and left-eye image data in accordance with the 2-D display image selection information. However, in the case where right-eye image data is used or left-eye image data is previously set in the display unit, the set image data is used. Image data used in the 2-D image display mode is also used here.

When changing the 3-D image display mode currently set in the 3-D image display unit, the image data creator, image data supplier, or the like can pass the control information I2 in the 3-D image control information section. Setting the threshold value TH to 0 changes the mode at any time regardless of the state of the 3-D image display unit.

In the case where the 3-D intensity exceeds the threshold value, and the 3-D display is limited as in the above process (3), the display means 2505 displays substantially as when the accumulated intensity is below the threshold value warning message.

How to form the 3-D display image and the 2-D display image is the same as that described in the first to third embodiments of the present invention, so the description is omitted here.

In the above example, when any one of processing (1) to (3) is performed when the cumulative strength reaches the threshold value, a plurality of processing content sets may be prepared in advance, and any one of them may be appropriately adopted. For example, the following processing sets can be predefined.

A: Processing (1) is performed.

B: Processing (2) is performed.

C: Processing (3) is performed.

D: The processes (1) and (3) are performed.

E: The processes (2) and (3) are performed.

And, information for specifying any one of sets A to E is included in the 3-D image control information section. Therefore, the information S representing the above processing set is stored or transmitted together with the coded data of each 3-D image in the 3-D image display unit, and then the 3-D image display unit when the cumulative intensity reaches the gate The information S is decoded at the limit value, and the processing to be performed is selected according to the information S.

Next, a method for correcting the cumulative intensity and the threshold value in the 3-D image display unit will be explained. The above method uses the same 3-D intensity and threshold regardless of the characteristics of the display device even when displaying the same 3-D image on display devices with different characteristics (display size, viewing distance, etc.). In fact, however, it is considered natural for the user's eyestrain to increase in proportion to, for example, the display screen size or viewing distance. Both 3-D intensity and threshold should be corrected according to the characteristics of the display device. For example, in order to provide a display device with such standard characteristics as standard display screen size, viewing distance, etc., the 3-D intensity and gate values that are stored or transmitted with the 3-D encoded image data should be optimally determined. Limits, (standard 3-D intensity and standard threshold). Each display unit thus corrects the standard display intensity and the standard threshold value according to the characteristics of the display device.

In order to realize such a correction method, the correction means 2506 shown in FIG. 25B is connected to the input section of the display control means 2501 in the 3-D image display unit shown in FIG. 25A. The correction means 2506 corrects the standard 3-D intensity (In) and the standard threshold (THn) and outputs the corrected standard 3-D intensity (I) and the corrected standard threshold (TH) respectively. I and TH are generally given by the following correction functions G and H according to the characteristics of the display device.

I=G(In)

TH=H(THn)

The correction function can be expressed by a linear function as follows, for example.

G(In)＝N1.In+N2

H(THn)=N3.THn+N3

N1 through N3 are the values found by the test, and so on. More simply, in the following it is possible to find I and THn only by correcting THn.

I=In

TH=N.THn

It is also possible to correct In only.

In the above expression, the viewing distance of the display device of the display unit is the same as the standard viewing distance. In the case where the display screen is larger than the standard display screen, N takes a value smaller than 1. In the case where the display screen is smaller than the standard display screen, N takes a value larger than 1.

As described above, although in the fourth embodiment, 2-viewpoint image data composed of left-eye image data and right-eye image data is used, obviously, like in the first embodiment, this fourth embodiment For example, multi-viewpoint image data composed of image data of three or more viewpoints can also be used.

Next, the processing performed when the cumulative intensity (AI) reaches the threshold value THm will be described in detail. Processes (1) to (3) are also object processes to be executed here. First, the process (1) of how to convert the 3-D display mode to the 2-D display mode will be described.

In the case of switching from the 3-D image display mode to the 2-D display mode, eye fatigue of the user is reduced. The 3-D display is thereby resumed when the user has sufficiently recovered from eye fatigue.

Switching to 2-D image display can be done automatically or method (3) (described later) can be used together with method (1) to switch to the new display mode automatically or manually by the user after a warning message is displayed . In the following description, it is assumed that the display mode is automatically switched to the 2-D image display mode.

The 3-D image display unit of the present invention can restart 3-D image display as follows.

(a) Restart the subject 3-D image display after reaching a preset time (Tm).

(b) When a 2-D image is displayed, the cumulative intensity (AI) is reduced at each fixed time interval. When the cumulative intensity (AI) drops to a preset value, the 3-D image display is restarted.

(c) When the user manually switches between the 2-D image display and the 3-D image display, the 3-D image display is restarted.

In any of the above cases, the initial value of the integrated intensity (AI) when the 3-D image display starts may be the same as (f0: f0=(f1, 0)) when the above 3-D image display starts. Otherwise, the initial value should be a preset threshold value (THs: f0<THs) and can limit the restarted 3-D display time, so as to shorten the 3-D display time after the display is restarted. THs values are determined by testing. In a case where switching between 3-D image display and 2-D image display is repeated, the THs value may be modified in accordance with the number of repetitions.

In the case of method (a), the Tm value is also determined by testing. In the case where switching between 3-D image display and 2-D image display is repeated, the Tm value may be modified in accordance with the number of repetitions. In the case where Tm takes a large value, 3-D image display for a long time is prohibited although the eye fatigue of the user has sufficiently recovered. In the case where Tm takes a small value to speed up restarting display of the original 3-D image, user's eyestrain cannot be recovered sufficiently. THs must therefore take a larger value to make the 3-D image display shorter after the restart of the 3-D image display. This is why the combination of Tm and THs values can be modified according to the user's taste.

Next, a case where the method (b) is employed will be explained. When a 2-D image is displayed, the cumulative intensity (AI) is expressed using the following expression and the 2-D image display time T.

AI=THm.g(t, THm)

THm is a function representing the cumulative intensity when 2-D image display starts, and g is a function representing the cumulative intensity decrease value.

As mentioned above, the function g represents the reduction value of the cumulative intensity, in other words, the value represents how much the user recovers from eyestrain. The function g is also determined experimentally. In the following description, it is assumed that a monotonically increasing function of time t is displayed using a 2-D image as follows.

g(t, THm)=γ.t(γ: normal number)

In the case of T>THm/γ, it is assumed as follows.

g(t, THm) = THm

In the case of the example shown in FIG. 22, the cumulative intensity (AI) reaches the threshold value THm indicating the allowable limit of 3-D display, so that the display mode is switched to the 2-D image display mode. In 2-D display mode, the cumulative intensity (AI) decreases at a fixed rate, and the 2-D image display continues until the cumulative intensity (AI) reaches 0, which is the same as the first 3-D image display (at time 0 to c) have the same initial value. After that, the 3-D image display is restarted at time d when the cumulative intensity AI reaches 0. Similar to the example shown in FIG. 26, at time "e", the cumulative intensity (AI) reaches the threshold value THs, the 3-D image display is restarted, and after the restart, the 3-D image display allowable time is shortened, And the time required until the 3-D image display is restarted can be shortened by the time of the section between e and d.

The function g used to represent the cumulative intensity reduction value above, not only when the cumulative intensity (AI) reaches the allowable limit for 3-D image display, but also when the user significantly switches from 3-D image display to 2-D image display and displays When the content is switched from 3-D image display to 2-D image, it can be used to calculate the cumulative intensity (AI) during the 2-D image display.

Next, a case where the above method (c) is adopted will be described. In this case, the user apparently switches the display mode from 2-D display to 3-D display using a remote controller or the like. This method has the advantage of flexibly protecting the user from eye fatigue because the user judges his/her eyestrain by himself. This is because how much eye fatigue and how much recovery is different from person to person. However, in the case where this method is adopted in a wrong manner, this method may seriously affect the user's eyes. In order to prevent such problems, the display mode is only displayed when the 2-D display time exceeds the preset value, or the cumulative intensity (AI) calculated by the same method as (b) in 2-D display decreases to the preset threshold value It can be switched to 3-D display only in the following cases. Also, in case the elapsed time is still below the preset time, or the cumulative intensity (AI) is above the preset threshold value, a warning message may be displayed on the screen to inform the user that switching to 3-D is not allowed show.

Next, when the accumulation (AI) reaches the threshold value THm, how to perform the above process (2), reduce its parallax and continue 3-D display in detail. In this case, the parallax is reduced to lessen the strain on the user's eyes, allowing the 3-D display to continue. The method (2) above is used to adjust the parallax. Parallax adjustment can be done automatically or using method (3) above together with method (2) to display a warning message once and then adjust automatically or manually by the user. The parallax adjustment can be performed only once when the cumulative intensity (AI) reaches the threshold value THm, or a new threshold value THm1, THm2, ..., THmn can be set for the cumulative intensity (AI), and the parallax adjustment is performed according to each gradually decrease with the new threshold value. As shown in the example in FIG. 27, after this disparity adjustment method, the 3-D intensity values can be reduced according to the adjusted disparity values and then used to calculate the cumulative intensity (AI). For example, in FIG. 27, the display content with 3-D intensity I=4 adjusts the parallax step by step every time the accumulated intensity (AI) reaches THm, THm1, THm2, . . . , and THmn. And, the 3-D intensity (I) is also changed continuously like I=3, I=2, and I=1. Because the parallax adjustment is done gradually in this way, the uncomfortable feeling that the user may have is suppressed.

Next, how to display the warning message of (3) when the cumulative intensity (AI) reaches the threshold value THm will be described in detail. In this case, a warning is issued not only by a message indicating that the limit allowed for 3-D display has been exceeded, but also by turning on a warning LED light equipped on the display unit or the like. Such a warning situation can also be notified to the user with a warning sound. The warning can be issued only when the accumulated intensity (AI) reaches the threshold THm, or it can be issued continuously or intermittently until the 3-D display stops, for example when the user switches the display mode from 3-D to 2-D significantly, or when When the display mode of the displayed content is switched to 2-D image display after the channel is switched to another channel. It is also possible to show how much the 3-D display is allowed to limit THm before the cumulative intensity (AI) reaches the threshold value THm (for example, 100.AI/THm). Additionally, a warning can be issued when the current 3-D display is stopped once and then restarted before a preset time has elapsed. Until the preset time is reached, the user's apparent switching operation to the 3-D display mode is invalid, and thereafter, the remaining time until the 3-D display is resumed may be displayed. Similarly, a warning is issued even when the initial 3-D display is restarted in a state where the accumulated intensity (AI) calculated in the previous 2-D display mode exceeds a preset threshold value. In case the cumulative intensity (AI) exceeds a preset threshold, the user's apparent switch to the 3-D display mode is invalidated, and the remaining time until 3-D display is allowed is displayed.

As has been described in detail above, when the cumulative intensity (AI) reaches the threshold value THm, the processes (1) to (3) are executed, and only one of the processes (1) to (3) can be executed, or the processes (1) to (3) can be executed. ) to get the same effect. In the case that treatments (1) to (3) are combined, the threshold value THm of the cumulative intensity (AI) can be a common value between all treatments (1) to (3), or a value in each treatment independent value.

As described above, 2-viewpoint image data composed of right-eye and left-eye image data is used to explain the fourth embodiment. However, it is obvious that the fourth embodiment can also be applied to multi-viewpoint image data composed of three or more viewpoints of image data as in the first embodiment.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

The 3-D image display unit in the fourth embodiment uses the threshold value of the 3-D intensity and the cumulative intensity value as 3-D image control information associated with the reproduced 3-D image. The 3-D image format data F1 used in the first embodiment includes continuous viewing and listening times TIME1 and TIME2. This fifth embodiment deals with the recording unit of recording 3-D video images and 3-D image control information on a digital video tape as one of the recording methods of recording 3-D image control information including these times TIME1 and TIME2.

First, how the tracks of the digital video tape for recording data are formatted in this fifth embodiment will be explained. In general, each of the currently popular digital VTRs employs a so-called helical scan method. This method records data on discrete tracks on magnetic tape. Fig. 28 shows how data is recorded on such discontinuous tracks. The magnetic tape has a plurality of tracks 2801, and one 3-D image is divided and recorded on the plurality of tracks.

Fig. 29 shows an expanded view of one of the tracks 2801 in the fifth embodiment and an example of the track format of a digital VTR for recording data. Each track 2801 includes an ITI (Insert and Track Information, insert and track information) area 2901, an audio recording area 2902 for recording audio data, an image recording area 2903 for recording image data, and for recording such as time Subcode recording area 2904 for related information such as codes. The image recording area 2903 can record not only 3-D images but also information associated with these 3-D images. Similarly, the audio recording area 2902 can record not only audio data but also information associated with the audio data. In addition to these two areas, the subcode recording area 2904 can record the above-mentioned associated information. Also, white space is provided between these areas so that each area allows appending records.

FIG. 30 shows an expanded view of the image recording area 2903 . The image recording area 2903 includes a pre-amble (pre-amble) signal 3001 for recording a synchronization pattern, etc., VAUX (Video Auxiliary data, image auxiliary data) α 3002 and VAUX β 3004 for recording information associated with an image, and VAUX β 3004 for recording information associated with an image. An encoded image data recording area 3003 of encoded image data, an error correction code 3005, and a post-amble signal 3006 having a function of acquiring a margin. Although an area for recording information associated with an image is divided into VAUXα 3002 and VAUXβ 3004 in this fifth embodiment, these two areas are merged into one VAUX area, and the merged area is hereinafter referred to as a VAUX area.

Although not shown here, the audio recording area 2902 also has an AAUX (Audio Auxiliary data, audio auxiliary data) area for recording information associated with audio data.

Next, the recording unit in this fifth embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 31. FIG. Fig. 31 shows a block diagram of the recording unit in this fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 31 , the recording unit includes a 3-D image encoding section 3101 , an audio encoding section 3102 , an associated information encoding section 3103 , a composite section 3104 , and a tape recording section 3105 .

The 3-D image encoding section 3101 inputs 3-D image data. Although the 3-D image data is composed of image data of a plurality of channels, in this fifth embodiment, the 3-D image coding section 3101 is only left-eye image data (left image) and right-eye image data (right image) Input image data for two channels. The 3-D image encoding section 3101 combines the left-eye image and the right-eye image and encodes the combined image by a preset method, and then outputs the encoded 3-D image data.

Audio encoding section 3102 inputs audio data and encodes the data, and then outputs the encoded audio data.

The associated information coding section 3103 puts information such as the combining method for combining left and right images in the 3-D image coding section 3101, 3-D intensity information, cumulative intensity threshold value, allowed time for continuous viewing and listening, etc. The associated information is encoded, and then the encoded data of the associated information is output. The above encoding method is used here to convert the data into fixed-length values corresponding to each of the above-mentioned pieces of information.

Composite section 3104 inputs 3-D coded image data, information of a merging method selected for a merging job, coded audio data, and data of coded associated information, and then composites the data so that it is stored on a magnetic tape, and then Outputs the post-composite data to be recorded on the magnetic tape.

The tape recording section 3105 records tape recording data on a tape of a recording medium conforming to the above format.

Next, the composite part 3104 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 32 . As shown in Figure 32, composite section 3104 includes associated information encoding data distribution section 3201, image recording area data merging section 3202, audio recording area data merging section 3203, subcode recording area data merging section 3204, and track merging section 3205 .

Associated information encoded data distribution section 3201 inputs encoded data of associated information and determines a target area among the VAUX area, AAUX area and subcode area, and then distributes the data into the determined areas. In this fifth embodiment, the encoded data of the information associated with the method of merging of the left and right images is distributed to the VAUX area, while the 3-D intensity, cumulative intensity threshold value, continuous viewing and listening allowable time The associated information is distributed to the subcode area.

The image recording area data merging section 3202 inputs the 3-D encoded image data output from the 3-D image encoding section 3101 and the VAUX area associated information encoded data output from the associated information encoded data distribution section 3201 . The image recording area data merging section 3202 combines these data into data pieces formatted as shown in FIG. 30 . The association information includes information of combining methods selected for right and left images output from the 3-D image encoding section 3101, for example. Then, a preamble 3001, an error correction code 3005, and a postamble 3006 are added to the association information to output the image recording area data.

The audio recording area data merging section 3203 inputs the encoded audio data output from the audio encoding section 3102, and the encoded data of the AAUX area associated information output from the associated information encoded data distribution section 3201, and integrates these data into a Preset formatted data to the audio recording area.

The subcode recording area data merging section 3204 inputs the encoded data of the subcode area associated information output from the associated information encoding data distribution section 3201, and integrates the data into preset formatted data to be output to the subcode recording area .

The track merging section 3205 inputs data from the image recording area, the audio recording area and the subcode recording area, and these data are merged into formatted data as shown in FIG. In the merged data that will be exported and logged.

As described above, in this embodiment, data is simultaneously recorded in all of the audio recording area, image recording area, and subcode recording area. However, data may not necessarily be recorded in all these areas at the same time. Data may be recorded only in some areas, for example, only an audio recording area and an image recording area at first, and then data may be recorded in a subcode recording area by additional recording. Even after data is recorded in all these areas, other data can be independently overwritten in each area by additional recording.

3-D intensity information, cumulative intensity thresholds, and sustained viewing and listening allowable times may be determined during the editing process after capture as a result of the final content, usually finalized at capture time. For example, image data may be recorded with 3-D intensity = 1 as a default value at the time of shooting, and then in the event that the 3-D intensity is determined to be higher than the default value in an objective evaluation during editing, the image Data is additionally recorded at I=2. In the recording unit of this fifth embodiment, 3-D intensity information, cumulative intensity threshold value, and continuous viewing and listening allowable time are recorded in the subcode area, and additional recording can be accomplished more easily on it, so that These items of information can be easily modified even during the editing process.

Although as described above, in the fifth embodiment, 3-D intensity information, cumulative intensity threshold value, and continuous viewing and listening allowable time are recorded in the subcode area, these information items can be combined into one and are recorded in the VAUX area, since all these information items are considered to be associated with the image.

In order to realize such a method, the operation of the associated information encoded data distribution section 3201 shown in FIG. 32 is modified so that the encoded data of all the above information items are output to the VAUX area. At this point, the information associated with the image is collected in one place so that these items of information can be handled more easily, although it is no longer easy to append records at this point. For example, when copying image data to a medium having a different recording format, all information items associated with the image are obtained if only the content in the image recording area is copied, so that the subcode area can be omitted. Also, in order to prevent the image data from being overwritten by additional recording, the image data may be stored in the subcode area and the VAUX area.

The respective storage capacities of the subcode area and the VAUX area are limited. Therefore, in a case where image data cannot be stored entirely in any of these areas, 3-D image-associated information can be stored in the AAUX area.

Some digital VTR machines respectively provide a cassette memory for recording related information. The above-mentioned association information can thus be stored in the memory.

Associated information may also be recorded in the unit's memory. At this point, like in the above description, the recording area may include an image recording area, an audio recording area, and a subcode recording area, and 3-D image display control information or shooting condition information can also be recorded in these areas .

The configuration of the recording unit of this fifth embodiment is also adapted to the digital VTR method adopted for home video recorders, except for the portion specified for 3-D images. Therefore, the associated information items recorded in this fifth embodiment have associated information recorded in the digital VTR format for home use exclusively for 3-D images, for example, information items related to how to merge right and left images, 3-D intensity values , cumulative intensity threshold, continuous viewing and listening time allowed, etc. can be. Thus both 2-D and 3-D images can be recorded on the same tape.

However, in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, a data sender, such as a 3-D image creator, a broadcasting station, or a content provider (hereinafter simply referred to as a provider, etc.) compulsorily specifies the The time to start 2-D display in the -D image data. Hereinafter, such a specifying method is explained.

As shown in FIG. 8, the 3-D image format data F1 of the 3-D image content consists of the 3-D image control information part including the 3-D information identification information I1 and the control information I2, and the coded data D constitutes the image data part. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 33 , the control information I2 includes a forced 2-D display flag (force_2-D_display_flag) and 2-D display image selection information (2-D_picture_select). The forced 2-D display flag indicates whether to command the 3-D image display unit to forcibly switch to the 2-D display mode while 3-D image data is being displayed. The 2-D display image selection information indicates whether right-eye image data or left-eye image data is displayed when the display mode is forcibly switched to a 2-D image according to the value set in the forced 2-D display flag. While 3-D image data is being displayed, 2-D display image selection information does not function.

For example, in the case where the forced 2-D display flag is set to 1, the display mode is forcibly switched to 2-D image display. In the case where the 2-D display image selection information indicates right-eye image data at this time, the object 2-D image is displayed using the right-eye image data. In the case where the 2-D display image selection information indicates left-eye image data, the target 2-D image is displayed using the left-eye image data.

In the case where the forced 2-D display flag is set to 0, the display mode is not forcibly switched to 2-D image display. There are many ways to do this. The first method is to continue the current display mode. For example, in a case where the 3-D image display mode is currently set, the mode is left unchanged. In the case where the 2-D image display mode is currently set, this mode is left unchanged. The second method is to designate the 3-D image display mode regardless of the current display mode. The third method is used to select 3-D or 2-D image display mode among other conditions. For example, in a case where the 3-D image display allowable time has not yet been reached, the 3-D image display mode is set. In a case where the 3-D image display allowable time has reached, the 2-D image display mode is set. In case the user presses a button to switch to another display mode, the selected display mode is set. Which method to adopt can be determined in advance between the 3-D image encoding device and the decoding device.

As described in the first embodiment, the 3-D image control information portion can be repeatedly inserted into any position in the 3-D format data F1. 3-D image data creators, image data suppliers, or the like can set 1 (switch to 2-D image display) in the mandatory 2-D display flag at any position in the 3-D image format data F1 .

For example, FIG. 9 shows an example of broadcasting 3-D image content. In the case where the broadcast content is composed of a plurality of pieces of programming information and a plurality of 3-D image contents, the 3-D image control information part is included in the program arrangement information. At this time, in the case where the mandatory 2-D display flag is set to 1 when the program schedule information is inserted into the 3-D image format data F1, the display device at the receiving end is set to the 2-D image display mode.

Also, as described in the above embodiments of the present invention, the 3-D image control information portion may be inserted into the image data portion shown in FIG. 33 . At this point, the 3-D image display unit can be forcibly set to the 2-D image display mode for each frame.

Such 3-D image control information can also be inserted into 3-D image contents exchanged through networks and cables such as the Internet, and also 3-D image contents recorded in recording media such as hard disks, optical discs, and the like.

Fig. 34 shows 3-D image encoding means 2003 for formatting 3-D image format data F1 and decoding means 2004 for decoding information.

In FIG. 34 , the 3-D image data creator or image data supplier instructs the 3-D image control information forming means 2005 to forcibly switch to the 2-D image display mode at the time specified in the input 3-D image data, and Set 1 in the Force 2-D Display flag provided in the 3-D Image Control Information section corresponding to the image data. At the same time, the 3-D image data creator or image data provider writes information of whether the right-eye image data or the left-eye image data is used for the display object 2-D image data in the 2-D display image selection information. And, independently of this writing, the 3-D image data creator or image data supplier instructs the 3-D image encoding device 2001 to encode the 3-D image data. Then, the 3-D image data creator or supplier stores the 3-D image control information portion in which 1 is set in the mandatory 2-D display flag in the image data in which the encoded 3-D image data is stored. part, or store the information part separately from the image data part, thereby forming 3-D image format data F1. Using a recording medium, the 3-D image format data F1 is transmitted to the 3-D image decoding device 2004 via a network or broadcast waves.

In the 3-D image decoding device 2004, the 3-D image decoding means 2002 decodes the received 3-D image format data F1 into 3-D image data, and then sets the Force 2-D display flag and 2-D display image selection information decoding. If the display flag is set to 1, the 3-D image decoding apparatus 2002 sets the target 2-D image display mode in the display mode information, and then outputs the mode information. The display mode information is used to instruct a 3-D image display unit (described later) to switch between 3-D image display and 2-D image display.

If the forced 2-D display flag is set to 0, as described above, the display mode information can be output as it is, and can be output in the display mode information set to 3-D image display mode, or set to 2-D image display mode or according to other Conditions in which 2-D image display mode to output.

The 3-D image data decoded by the 3-D image decoding means 2004 is displayed on the screen of the 3-D image display unit shown in FIG. 35 . The 3-D image data decoded by the 3-D image decoding means 2004 is separated into right-eye image data and left-eye image data by separation means (not shown), and then input to the 3-D image data shown in FIG. 35 , respectively. display unit. These image data are input to the 3-D image decoding device 2004 as right-eye and left-eye image data in accordance with display mode information. In a case where the display mode information is set to the 3-D image display mode, the switch 2101 is pushed up. In the case where the display mode information is set to the 2-D image display mode, the switch 2101 is pushed down at this time. The image data input to the 2-D image forming device 2105 is switched by the switch 2102 to right-eye image data or left-eye image data in accordance with 2-D display image selection information. The operations of the 3-D image decoding device 2004 and the 2-D image forming device 2105 are the same as those of the 3-D image forming device 100 and the 2-D image forming device 6 shown in FIG. omitted.

The 3-D or 2-D image data formed as described above is converted into 2-D or 3-D image data by the switch 23 in accordance with the display mode information, and then output to the frame memory 2106 . The display device 2107 displays the image data read out from the frame memory 2106 as a 3-D or 2-D image in accordance with display mode information. At this time, the operations of the frame memory 2106 and the display device 2107 are the same as those of the frame memory 2 and the display device 3 shown in FIG. 14, so their description will be omitted here.

In the above example, the image data input to the 2-D image forming device 2105 is switched between right-eye image data and left-eye image data by the switch 2102 in accordance with the 2-D display image selection information. In the case where the 3-D image display unit is set in advance whether to use the right-eye image data or the left-eye image data, the set image data may be input to the 2-D image forming device 2105 . Image data entered in the past in 2-D image display mode can also be used here.

When forcibly switching from 3-D image data display to 2-D image data display, the 3-D image data creator or provider, by setting the mandatory 2 in the control information I2 in the 3-D image control information part The -D display flag is set to 1 so that the display can be switched at his/her desired timing regardless of the state of the 3-D image display unit.

Industrial applicability

As described above, according to the present invention, the parallax of each displayed 3-D image is adjusted according to the user's eyestrain, and a warning message is displayed on the screen or stopped when the 3-D image is continuously or intermittently displayed for a long time. Displaying its own image, regardless of the user's operation to reset the display, the display of the 3-D image is still prohibited until a preset time is reached, so that the 3-D image display unit can simplify the configuration to protect the user from eyestrain.

Using the 3-D intensity value can represent the difference between a sharp 3-D image and a less sharp 3-D image, so that the 3-D image can be limited according to the 3-D intensity value. In addition, when the user is continuously viewing a plurality of 3-D images, even when the user is continuously viewing 3-D images with different 3-D intensity values, it is possible to calculate the cumulative intensity displayed by the 3-D images and follow the cumulative intensity The 3-D image display is limited by comparing the comparison result with the preset threshold value, so that the 3-D image display can be easily limited by changing the channel of digital broadcasting, for example.

According to the present invention, therefore, 3-D images can be recorded in the home digital VTR format, and recording control information formed of 3-D intensity, cumulative intensity threshold value, continuous viewing and listening allowable time, etc. can also be recorded. It is thereby possible to use the existing hardware resources of the digital VTR for the 3-D image display unit, thereby reducing the price of the display unit.

Furthermore, the information items of 3-D intensity and cumulative intensity threshold value, as well as the information of continuous viewing and listening allowed time can be easily rewritten by additional recording.

Still further, the present invention allows easy duplication of image data.

When the display of the 3-D image is forcibly prohibited, the 3-D image data creator, supplier, or the like can modify the display mode information at any time using a flag, thereby setting the 2-D image display mode to control switching, so that The 3-D image data content is taken into consideration to protect the user from eyestrain.

Considering the target 3-D image data content, 3-D image data creators, suppliers, etc. can use the threshold value TH to switch the display mode according to the level of the relationship with the cumulative intensity to protect the user's eyes, thereby switching the 3-D image data. D Display mode of the image display unit. In particular, when the display of 3-D images is forcibly prohibited, the 3-D image creator, provider or the like can set the threshold value TH to 0 at any desired time to control switching of display modes.

The 3-D image creator, supplier, or the like can also select the display mode under the threshold value of TH=0 or TH>0, so as to allow the user View image data in a display mode specified by a person, etc.

claims

(Amended in accordance with Article 19 of the Treaty)

A single segment of control information including at least a first preset time and a second preset time, and a single segment of image data.

37. The 3-D image display unit according to claim 36,

Wherein the above-mentioned 3-D image decoding means includes a 3-D image control information analyzing means for analyzing the 3-D image control information included in the above-mentioned 3-D image format data, and a means for analyzing the 3-D image control information included in the above-mentioned 3-D image format data. An image data decoding device for decoding the above-mentioned 3-D image data in D image format data.

38. A 3-D image encoding device for encoding a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images, comprising:

An encoding device, configured to encode the above-mentioned 3-D image;

generating means for generating control information necessary to control the display of the above-mentioned 3-D image; and

compounding means for compounding the encoded data obtained from said encoding means with the control information obtained from said generating means,

Wherein the above control information includes information for representing the 3-D intensity of the above 3-D image.

39. A 3-D image encoding device for encoding a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images, comprising:

An encoding device, configured to encode the above-mentioned 3-D image;

generating means for generating control information necessary to control the display of the above-mentioned 3-D image;

compounding means for compounding the encoded data obtained from said encoding means with the control information obtained from said generating means,

Wherein the above control information includes a threshold value related to an accumulation value that increases with the 3-D display time.

40. (After correction) A 3-D image decoding device for decoding a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images, comprising:

decomplexing means for separating the input data into encoded data of the above-mentioned 3-D image and control information necessary for controlling the display of the above-mentioned 3-D image;

analyzing means for analyzing the above-mentioned control information,

Wherein the above control information includes information for representing the 3-D intensity of the above 3-D image.

41. (After correction) A 3-D image decoding device for decoding a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images, comprising:

decomplexing means for separating the input data into encoded data of the above-mentioned 3-D image and control information necessary for controlling the display of the above-mentioned 3-D image;

analyzing means for analyzing the above-mentioned control information,

Wherein the above control information includes a threshold value related to an accumulation value that increases with the 3-D display time.

42. A 3-D image recording method for recording a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images, comprising:

a recording step of recording control information necessary for controlling the display of the above-mentioned 3-D image,

Wherein the control information includes information representing the 3-D intensity of the 3-D image.

43. A 3-D image recording method for recording a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images, comprising:

a recording step of recording control information necessary for controlling the display of the above-mentioned 3-D image,

Wherein the above control information includes a threshold value related to an accumulation value that increases with the 3-D display time.

44. A 3-D image transmission method for transmitting a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images, comprising:

the step of transmitting control information necessary for controlling the display of said 3-D image,

Wherein the above control information includes information for representing the 3-D intensity of the above 3-D image.

45. A 3-D image transmission method for transmitting a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images, comprising:

the step of transmitting control information necessary for controlling the display of said 3-D image,

Wherein the above control information includes a threshold value related to an accumulation value that increases with the 3-D display time.

46. A 3-D image recording method for recording a 3-D image composed of a plurality of images, comprising:

Claims (60)

1. a 3-D image-display units is used to show the 3-D image that is formed by a plurality of images, comprising:

The importation is used for input and shows the necessary control information of above-mentioned 3-D image,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises the information of the 3-D intensity of representing above-mentioned 3-D image.

2. 3-D image-display units as claimed in claim 1,

Wherein said units also comprises calculating section and display control section,

Wherein the aforementioned calculation part is calculated the integrated intensity value that together increases with the time according to above-mentioned 3-D intensity, and when above-mentioned integrated intensity surpasses first threshold value, the display operation that above-mentioned display control section is preset.

3. 3-D image-display units as claimed in claim 2,

Wherein above-mentioned display operation comprises the demonstration of warning message.

4. 3-D image-display units as claimed in claim 2,

Wherein above-mentioned display operation is included as above-mentioned 3-D image and adjusts parallax, so that parallax is reduced.

5. 3-D image-display units as claimed in claim 2,

Wherein above-mentioned display operation comprises from above-mentioned 3-D image formation 2-D image, shows that above-mentioned 2-D image is to replace above-mentioned 3-D image.

6. 3-D image-display units as claimed in claim 5,

Wherein above-mentioned display operation is included in Preset Time and recovers the demonstration of above-mentioned 3-D image to replace above-mentioned 2-D image.

7. 3-D image-display units as claimed in claim 5,

Wherein aforementioned calculation part is calculated the integrated intensity value that together reduces with the time in the 2-D image shows, and when above-mentioned integrated intensity in second threshold value following time, above-mentioned display operation comprises that the demonstration that recovers above-mentioned 3-D image is to replace above-mentioned 2-D image.

8. as any one the described 3-D image-display units in the claim 1 to 7,

Wherein said units also comprises being used to import and comprises and being used at the 3-D image shows and the 2-D image switches between showing request signal in the importation of interior external signal,

Wherein said units is selected above-mentioned 3-D image to show or forms the 2-D image from above-mentioned 3-D image to show the above-mentioned 2-D image that is formed and replace above-mentioned 3-D image according to above-mentioned request signal.

9. as any one the described 3-D image-display units in claim 6 or 7,

Wherein said units also comprises the importation that is used to import external signal, and this external signal comprises the request signal that is used for switching between demonstration of 3-D image and the demonstration of 2-D image,

Wherein above-mentioned request signal since above-mentioned display operation and above-mentioned 2-D image when being shown and ought above-mentionedly resume work invalid between being performed.

10. as any one described 3-D image-display units of claim 1 to 9,

Wherein above-mentioned first threshold value is included in the above-mentioned control information.

11. 3-D image-display units as claimed in claim 6,

Wherein above-mentioned Preset Time is included in the above-mentioned control information.

12. 3-D image-display units as claimed in claim 7,

Wherein above-mentioned second threshold value is included in the above-mentioned control information.

13. a 3-D image-display units is used to show the 3-D image that is formed by a plurality of images, comprising:

The importation is used for input and shows the necessary control information of above-mentioned 3-D image; With

Display control section is used to control the demonstration of above-mentioned 3-D image,

Wherein above-mentioned display control section forms the 2-D image according to default first condition from above-mentioned 3-D image, shows the above-mentioned 2-D image that is formed replacing above-mentioned 3-D image, and shows that according to the second condition of presetting above-mentioned 3-D image is to replace above-mentioned 2-D image.

14. a 3-D image recorder is used for the 3-D image that formed by a plurality of images at preset recording zone record,

Wherein above-mentioned posting field comprises the image-recording region that is used to write down above-mentioned 3-D image, is used for the audio recording zone of recording audio data and is used for writing down at least one of subcode posting field of related information.

15. a 3-D image recorder is used to write down the 3-D image by a plurality of image constructions,

Wherein the said equipment be included in be used for the demonstration of the above-mentioned 3-D image of preset recording zone record controls the recording section of essential control information,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises the information of the 3-D intensity that is used to represent above-mentioned 3-D image,

Wherein above-mentioned posting field comprises the image-recording region that is used to write down above-mentioned 3-D image, is used for the audio recording zone of recording audio data and is used for writing down at least one of subcode posting field of related information.

16. a 3-D image recorder is used to write down the 3-D image by a plurality of image constructions, comprising:

Recording section is used for controlling above-mentioned 3-D image at the preset recording regional record and shows necessary control information,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises the relevant threshold value of accumulated value that increases together with the 3-D demonstration time, and

Wherein above-mentioned posting field comprises the image-recording region that is used to write down above-mentioned 3-D image, is used for the audio recording zone of recording audio data and is used for writing down at least one of subcode posting field of related information.

17. a 3-D image recorder is used for comprising at the 3-D image of preset recording regional record by a plurality of image constructions:

Recording section is used for the necessary control information of demonstration of the above-mentioned 3-D image of record controls,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises the information of the binding hours of the demonstration that is used to represent to limit above-mentioned 3-D image, and

Wherein above-mentioned posting field comprises the image-recording region that is used to write down above-mentioned 3-D image, is used for the audio recording zone of recording audio data and is used for writing down at least one of subcode posting field of related information.

18. a 3-D image recording process is used at the 3-D image of preset recording regional record by a plurality of image constructions,

Wherein above-mentioned posting field comprises the image-recording region that is used to write down above-mentioned 3-D image, is used for the audio recording zone of recording audio data and is used for writing down at least one of subcode posting field of related information.

19. a 3-D image recording process is used for comprising at the 3-D image of preset recording regional record by a plurality of image constructions:

Control the recording step of the necessary control information of demonstration of above-mentioned 3-D image at the preset recording regional record,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises the information of the 3-D intensity that is used to represent above-mentioned 3-D image, and

Wherein above-mentioned posting field comprises the image-recording region that is used to write down above-mentioned 3-D image, is used for the audio recording zone of recording audio data and is used for writing down at least one of subcode posting field of related information.

20. a 3-D image recording process is used for comprising at the 3-D image of preset recording regional record by a plurality of image constructions:

Control the recording step of the necessary control information of demonstration of above-mentioned 3-D image at the preset recording regional record,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises the relevant threshold value of accumulated value that increases together with the 3-D image demonstration time,

Wherein above-mentioned posting field comprises the image-recording region that is used to write down above-mentioned 3-D image, is used for the audio recording zone of recording audio data and is used for writing down at least one of subcode posting field of related information.

21. a 3-D image recording process is used for comprising at the 3-D image of preset recording regional record by a plurality of image constructions:

Control the recording step of the necessary control information of demonstration of above-mentioned 3-D image at the preset recording regional record,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises the information that is used to represent to limit the binding hours that above-mentioned 3-D image shows, and

Wherein above-mentioned posting field comprises the image-recording region that is used to write down above-mentioned 3-D image, is used for the audio recording zone of recording audio data and is used for writing down at least one of subcode posting field of related information.

22. a 3-D image-display units is used for the separately eye image and the left-eye image of explicit user, comprising:

The 3-D image processing system is used for forming the 3-D image from a plurality of images; With

The parallax adjusting device is used to above-mentioned 3-D image processing system to adjust the parallax of above-mentioned 3-D image,

Wherein when the above-mentioned 3-D image demonstration time surpassed first Preset Time, above-mentioned parallax adjusting device was the parallax that above-mentioned 3-D image processing system reduces above-mentioned 3-D image.

23. 3-D image-display units as claimed in claim 22 comprises:

Storage device is used to store the parallax of above-mentioned 3-D image,

Wherein, after reducing the parallax of above-mentioned 3-D image for above-mentioned 3-D image processing system, under the situation that arrives above-mentioned second Preset Time, above-mentioned parallax adjusting device recovers the original parallax of above-mentioned 3-D image according to the parallax that is stored in the above-mentioned storage device for above-mentioned 3-D image processing system.

24. 3-D image-display units as claimed in claim 22,

Wherein said units further comprises:

The 3-D picture decoding apparatus, the 3-D image formatted data is used to decode; With

Separator is used for the 3-D view data of being decoded by above-mentioned 3-D picture decoding apparatus is separated into eye image data and left eye image data.

25. 3-D image-display units as claimed in claim 24,

The form of wherein above-mentioned 3-D image formatted data comprises and is used for the individual chip whether the indicated object data are used to show the 3-D image mark information of 3-D image at least, at least be used for the individual chip of 3-D image display control information and be used for the individual chip of view data at least, wherein above-mentioned control information comprises at least one in first Preset Time and second Preset Time.

26. 3-D image-display units as claimed in claim 25,

Wherein above-mentioned 3-D picture decoding apparatus comprises the 3-D image control information analytical equipment that is used for analyzing the 3-D image control information that is included in above-mentioned 3-D image formatted data and is used for the image data decoder that is included in the above-mentioned 3-D image data decoding of above-mentioned 3-D image formatted data.

27. a 3-D image-display units is used for the separately eye image and the left-eye image of explicit user,

Wherein said units comprises:

The 3-D image processing system is used for forming the 3-D image from a plurality of images; With

The warning display control unit is used to above-mentioned 3-D image processing system to form warning and shows,

Wherein, surpass under the situation of first Preset Time in the demonstration time of above-mentioned 3-D image, the warning display control unit is that above-mentioned 3-D image processing system forms above-mentioned warning demonstration.

28. 3-D image-display units as claimed in claim 27,

Wherein above-mentioned warning demonstration is made as the 3-D image.

29. as claim 27 described 3-D image-display units,

Wherein above-mentioned warning shows and is made as the 3-D image and other demonstrations are made as the 2-D image.

30. as claim 27 or 28 described 3-D image-display units,

Wherein above-mentioned warning demonstration is made as and is shown as the 3-D image in finite region, and the user can identify image difficultly in this zone.

31. 3-D image-display units as claimed in claim 27,

Wherein said units also comprises:

The 3-D picture decoding apparatus is used for the 3-D image formatted data is decoded; With

Separator is used for the above-mentioned 3-D view data by above-mentioned 3-D picture decoding apparatus decoding is separated into eye image data and left eye image data.

32. 3-D image-display units as claimed in claim 31,

The form of wherein above-mentioned 3-D image formatted data comprises and is used for the individual chip whether the indicated object data are used to show the 3-D image mark information of 3-D image at least, at least be used to comprise first Preset Time control information individual chip and be used for the individual chip of view data at least.

33. 3-D image-display units as claimed in claim 32,

Wherein above-mentioned 3-D picture decoding apparatus comprises the 3-D image control information analytical equipment that is used for analyzing the 3-D image control information that is included in above-mentioned 3-D image formatted data and is used for the image data decoder that is included in the above-mentioned 3-D image data decoding of above-mentioned 3-D image formatted data.

34. a 3-D image-display units is used for the separately eye image and the left-eye image of explicit user,

Wherein said units comprises:

The 3-D image processing system is used for forming the 3-D image from a plurality of images;

The 2-D image processing system is used for forming the 2-D image from described a plurality of images; With

Display unit is used to show 3-D image that is formed by above-mentioned 3-D image processing system or the 2-D image that is formed by above-mentioned 2-D image processing system, and

When surpassing above-mentioned first Preset Time, closed automatically the 3-D image demonstration time in interior power supply supply comprising the power supply of above-mentioned at least display unit, and

Wherein, in display unit after the power supply of above-mentioned display unit is closed automatically, the 3-D image shows that the shut-in time above before above-mentioned second Preset Time, under the situation that above-mentioned pent power supply supply is resumed, shows the 2-D image that is formed by above-mentioned 2-D image processing system.

35. 3-D image-display units as claimed in claim 34,

Wherein said units also comprises the separator that is used for the 3-D picture decoding apparatus that the 3-D image formatted data is decoded and is used for the 3-D view data by above-mentioned 3-D picture decoding apparatus decoding is separated into eye image data and left eye image data.

36. 3-D image-display units as claimed in claim 35,

The form of wherein above-mentioned 3-D image formatted data comprises and is used for the individual chip whether the indicated object data are used to show the 3-D image recognition information of 3-D image at least, at least be used to comprise the individual chip of control information of at least one first Preset Time and second Preset Time and the individual chip of view data.

37. 3-D image-display units as claimed in claim 36,

Wherein above-mentioned 3-D picture decoding apparatus comprises the 3-D image control information analytical equipment that is used for analyzing the 3-D image control information that is included in above-mentioned 3-D image formatted data and is used for the image data decoder that is included in the above-mentioned 3-D image data decoding of above-mentioned 3-D image formatted data.

38. a 3-D picture coding device is used for the 3-D image encoding by a plurality of image constructions is comprised:

Code device is used for above-mentioned 3-D image encoding;

Generation device, the necessary control information of demonstration that is used to produce the above-mentioned 3-D image of control; With

Set composite is used for the data that are encoded that obtain from above-mentioned code device and compound from the control information of above-mentioned generation device acquisition,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises the information of the 3-D intensity that is used to represent above-mentioned 3-D image.

39. a 3-D image encoding apparatus is used for the 3-D image encoding by a plurality of image constructions is comprised:

Code device is used for above-mentioned 3-D image encoding;

Generation device, the necessary control information of demonstration that is used to produce the above-mentioned 3-D image of control;

Set composite is used for the data that are encoded that obtain from above-mentioned code device and compound from the control information of above-mentioned generation device acquisition,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises the relevant threshold value of accumulated value that increases together with the 3-D demonstration time.

40. a 3-D image decoding apparatus is used for the 3-D picture decoding by a plurality of image constructions is comprised:

Separate set composite, be used for the necessary control information of demonstration of the be encoded data and the above-mentioned 3-D image of control of 3-D image is separated from the input data;

Decoding device is used for the data decode that is encoded above-mentioned; With

Analytical equipment is used to analyze above-mentioned control information,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises the information of the 3-D intensity that is used to represent above-mentioned 3-D image.

41. a 3-D image decoding apparatus is used for the 3-D picture decoding by a plurality of image constructions is comprised:

Separate set composite, be used for the necessary control information of demonstration of the be encoded data and the above-mentioned 3-D image of control of 3-D image is separated from the input data;

Decoding device is used for the data decode that is encoded above-mentioned; With

Analytical equipment is used to analyze above-mentioned control information,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises the relevant threshold value of accumulated value that increases together with the 3-D demonstration time.

42. a 3-D image recording process is used to write down the 3-D image by a plurality of image constructions, comprising:

Record is used to control the recording step of the necessary control information of demonstration of above-mentioned 3-D image,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises the information of the 3-D intensity of representing above-mentioned 3-D image.

43. a 3-D image recording process is used to write down the 3-D image by a plurality of image constructions, comprising:

Record is used to control the recording step of the necessary control information of demonstration of above-mentioned 3-D image,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises the relevant threshold value of accumulated value that increases together with the 3-D demonstration time.

44. a 3-D image transmission method is used to transmit the 3-D image by a plurality of image constructions, comprising:

Transmission is used to control the step of the necessary control information of demonstration of above-mentioned 3-D image,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises the information of the 3-D intensity that is used to represent above-mentioned 3-D image.

45. a 3-D image transmission method is used to transmit the 3-D image by a plurality of image constructions, comprising:

Transmission is used to control the step of the necessary control information of demonstration of above-mentioned 3-D image,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises the relevant threshold value of accumulated value that increases together with the 3-D demonstration time.

46. a 3-D image recording process is used to write down the 3-D image by a plurality of image constructions, comprising:

Record is used to control the recording step that above-mentioned 3-D image shows necessary control information,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises the display message that can be taken to few two values, and

Wherein above-mentioned display message gets in above-mentioned information that the above-mentioned 3-D image of expression is shown under the situation of first value, and gets in above-mentioned information that the above-mentioned 3-D image of expression is shown as 2-D image or 3-D image under the situation of second value.

47. 3-D image recording process as claimed in claim 46,

Wherein above-mentioned control information is included in the 3-D image and is shown as under the situation of 2-D image and is used for representing which image of above-mentioned a plurality of images is used to form the information of display image.

48. a 3-D image transmission method is used to transmit the 3-D image by a plurality of image constructions, comprising:

Record is used to control the recording step of the necessary control information of demonstration of above-mentioned 3-D image,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises the information that can be taken to few two values, and

Wherein above-mentioned display message gets in above-mentioned information that expression 3-D image is shown as the 2-D image under the situation of first value, and expression 3-D image is shown as 2-D image or 3-D image under the situation of second value and get in above-mentioned information.

49. 3-D image transmission method as claimed in claim 48,

Wherein above-mentioned control information is included in the 3-D image and is shown as under the situation of 2-D image and is used for representing which image of above-mentioned a plurality of images is used to form the information of display image.

50. a 3-D image-display units is used to show the 3-D image by a plurality of image constructions, comprising:

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises the display message that can be taken to few two values, and

Wherein above-mentioned display message gets in above-mentioned information that expression 3-D image is shown as the 2-D image under the situation of first value, and expression 3-D image is shown as 2-D image or 3-D image under the situation of second value and get in above-mentioned information.

51. 3-D image-display units as claimed in claim 50,

Wherein above-mentioned control information is included in the 3-D image and is shown as under the situation of 2-D image and is used for representing which image of above-mentioned a plurality of images is used to form the information of display image.

52. a 3-D image recording process is used to write down the 3-D image by a plurality of image constructions, comprising:

Record is used to control the recording step of the necessary control information of demonstration of above-mentioned 3-D image,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises the relevant threshold value of accumulated value that increases together with the 3-D demonstration time,

Wherein when above-mentioned threshold value was preset value, its expression 3-D image was shown as the 2-D image, and

Wherein when above-mentioned threshold value was not above-mentioned preset value, its expression 3-D image was shown as 2-D image or 3-D image.

53. a 3-D image recording process is used to write down the 3-D image by a plurality of image constructions, comprising:

Record is used to control the recording step of the necessary control information of demonstration of above-mentioned 3-D image,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises that control 3-D image shows necessary threshold value,

Wherein when above-mentioned threshold value was preset value, its expression 3-D image was shown as the 2-D image, and

Wherein when above-mentioned threshold value was not above-mentioned preset value, its expression 3-D image was shown as 2-D image or 3-D image.

54. as claim 52 or 53 described 3-D image recording process,

Wherein above-mentioned preset value is 0.

55. a 3-D image transmission method is used to transmit the 3-D image by a plurality of image constructions, comprising:

Record is used to control the recording step of the necessary control information of demonstration of above-mentioned 3-D image,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises the relevant threshold value of accumulated value that increases together with the 3-D demonstration time,

Wherein when above-mentioned threshold value was preset value, its expression 3-D image was shown as the 2-D image, and

Wherein when above-mentioned threshold value was not above-mentioned preset value, its expression 3-D image was shown as 2-D image or 3-D image.

56. a 3-D image transmission method is used to transmit the 3-D image by a plurality of image constructions, comprising:

Record is used to control the recording step of the necessary control information of demonstration of above-mentioned 3-D image,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises that control 3-D image shows necessary threshold value,

Wherein when above-mentioned threshold value was preset value, its expression 3-D image was shown as the 2-D image, and

Wherein when above-mentioned threshold value was not above-mentioned preset value, its expression 3-D image was shown as 2-D image or 3-D image.

57. as claim 55 or 56 described 3-D image transmission methods,

Wherein above-mentioned preset value is 0.

58. a 3-D image-display units is used to show the 3-D image by a plurality of image constructions, comprising:

The importation is used for input and shows the necessary control information of above-mentioned 3-D image,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises the relevant threshold value of accumulated value that increases together with the 3-D demonstration time,

Wherein when above-mentioned threshold value was preset value, its expression 3-D image was shown as the 2-D image, and

Wherein when above-mentioned threshold value was not above-mentioned preset value, its expression 3-D image was shown as 2-D image or 3-D image.

59. a 3-D image-display units is used to show the 3-D image by a plurality of image constructions, comprising:

The importation is used for input and shows the necessary control information of above-mentioned 3-D image,

Wherein above-mentioned control information comprises that control 3-D image shows necessary threshold value,

Wherein when above-mentioned threshold value was preset value, its expression 3-D image was shown as the 2-D image, and

Wherein when above-mentioned threshold value was not above-mentioned preset value, its expression 3-D image was shown as 2-D image or 3-D image.

60. as claim 58 or 59 described 3-D image-display units,

Wherein above-mentioned preset value is 0.

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