JP2000284769A - Image display device and image display method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To prevent the same image from being displayed for a predetermined time or more, prevent a screen burn-in phenomenon, and protect the screen. SOLUTION: A display unit 4 for displaying a still image obtained based on an image signal, and detecting whether or not the same still image has been displayed for a first predetermined time, and based on the detection result, A control microcomputer 22 for controlling the state of the still image displayed on the display unit 4;
Then, when it is detected that the same still image has been continuously displayed for the first predetermined time, the display unit 4 is controlled to stop displaying the same still image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image display apparatus and an image display method for displaying a digital image taken by, for example, an electronic still camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image photographed by an electronic still camera or the like is displayed on, for example, a display device connected to a personal computer, or when the camera has a display device for reproducing images. It was displayed on the display device. And such a display device,
For example, it is controlled by a control unit or the like that supplies an image signal or the like to the display device, and when no key operation or the like is performed for a predetermined time, power supply is cut off by control of the control unit to the power supply unit. I was

[0003] This is mainly performed to reduce power consumption, but when displaying an image, the same image is displayed continuously for a long time regardless of whether the display unit is a liquid crystal screen or a CRT. This causes a so-called burn-in phenomenon, which is also useful for protecting the screen.

[0004]

However, since the displayed image is not always changed by a key operation or the like, it is not a true measure against burn-in. This is not a practical problem in the case of moving images, but it is a problem in still images. In particular, a problem occurs in a device supplied with power from an AC outlet, but also in a battery-driven device used for a long time.

[0005] In many cases, automatic power-off by a timer or transition to a sleep state is not preferable, such as at the time of display at a store.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an image display for preventing a screen burn-in phenomenon and protecting a screen by preventing the same image from being displayed for a predetermined time or more. It is an object to provide a device and an image display method.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an image display device according to the present invention comprises a display means for displaying a still image obtained based on an image signal, and a display means for displaying a still image for a first predetermined time. Detecting means for detecting whether or not the same still image is continuously displayed for a while, and control means for controlling a state of the still image displayed on the display means based on a detection result obtained from the detecting means. And the control means comprises:
When the detecting means detects that the same still image has been continuously displayed for the first predetermined time, the displaying of the same still image on the display means is stopped.

In this image display device, it is detected whether or not the same still image has been continuously displayed for a first predetermined time, and it is detected that the same still image has been continuously displayed for a first predetermined time. In this case, displaying the same still image on the display means is stopped.

Further, the image display method according to the present invention displays a still image obtained based on an image signal, and detects whether or not the same still image has been displayed for a first predetermined time. When it is detected that the same still image has been continuously displayed for the first predetermined time, the display means for displaying the still image is stopped from displaying the same still image. .

In this image display method, a still image obtained based on an image signal is displayed, and it is detected whether or not the same still image has been displayed for a first predetermined time.
When it is detected that the same still image has been continuously displayed for the first predetermined time, the display means for displaying the still image stops displaying the same still image.

[0011]

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

An image display apparatus according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied displays, for example, image data recorded on a memory card as an external recording medium on a display unit. 1 and 2 show an image display device according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, the image display device 1 visually recognizes a transparent cover plate 2 made of acrylic and a display unit 4 described later in order from the outermost side, that is, from the viewer's side. The decorative panel 3 has an opening to be cut and an opening for an object recognition sensor 5 to be described later cut out, a display unit 4 for displaying an image based on image data supplied from an image processing block 23 to be described later, an object, and the like. An object recognition sensor 5 for recognizing the approach, a display unit 4 and an object recognition sensor 5
Fixing fixture 6 for joining with a main body 7 described later provided with
And a body 11 provided with various devices to be described later, and a leg 11 fixed to a housing of the body 7 with screws.

The image display device 1 is supported by the leg 11 fixed to the housing of the main body 7 with screws and the transparent cover plate 2 as described above, and is installed on a desk, for example.

The display unit 4 is a thin and lightweight display such as a liquid crystal display or a plasma display, and displays an image based on image data supplied from an image processing block 23 described later, that is, a display image signal. .

When the image display device 1 is installed horizontally long, an operation button group 8 and a power switch 9 of an operation unit 12, which will be described later, are provided above the main unit 7, as shown in FIG.
Also, as viewed from the back side of the main body 7,
A sleep changeover switch 10 for setting a sleep time described later is provided. Further, an operation unit 12 described later is housed inside the left side of the main body 7.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the image display device 1 in a state where the operation unit 12 described later is fully rotated.

The operation unit 12 is supported by a fulcrum 18 with respect to the main body 7.
And rotate 90 degrees. The operation unit 12 shown in FIG.
It is rotated 90 degrees in the direction of the arrow R with respect to the main body 7, and from this state, is rotated 90 degrees in the direction of the arrow L to be stored in the main body 7. The operation unit 12 is provided with a memory card insertion unit 13 into which a memory card 14 described later is inserted. The operation unit 12 includes a fast-forward search button 15, a play / stop button 1
6, a fast-return search button 17 and the like are provided.

A memory card 14, which will be described later, is inserted into the memory card insertion section 13 from outside. A memory card slot for connecting a memory card 14 is provided inside the memory card insertion unit 13. Since the memory card insertion section 13 is attached to the operation section 12, the memory card insertion section 13 is configured not to be exposed when the operation section 12 is stored.

The memory card 14 is, for example, a flash EEPROM (Electically Erasable a) that is abbreviated as a so-called SSFDC (Solid-State Floppy Disk Card).
It is a recording medium that can store at least digital image data, such as a memory card using an ND (Programmable ROM) or a so-called miniature card.

The fast-forward search button 15 is
A button for fast-forwarding and searching the image information recorded in No. 4. The play / stop button 16 is
Button for playing and stopping the image information recorded in the. The fast reverse search button 17 is a button for performing a fast reverse search of the image information recorded on the memory card 14.

Subsequently, the operation unit 1 in the image display device 1
FIG. 4 shows a rear view in a state where the shutter 2 is fully rotated. That is, a state in which the operation unit 12 is rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the main body unit 7 is shown.

On the upper part of the main body 7, a power switch 9 is provided. Further, a sleep changeover switch 10 for setting the time for sleep by the operator is provided at the center of the right end when viewed from the back side of the main body 7. Further, a DC power supply D
A connection section 19 to which C is connected is provided.

Next, the information processing section 20 included in the image display device 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

The information processing unit 20 includes, for example, an object recognition sensor 5, a sleep changeover switch 10, an operation unit 12,
Memory card 14, memory card controller 21, control microcomputer 22, image processing block 23
, A display image storage unit 24, and the display unit 4.

The object recognition sensor 5 senses, for example, that a person or an object has approached within a certain range, and supplies a sensed signal, which is a sensed signal, to a control microcomputer 22 described later. Specifically, the object recognition sensor 5 is, for example, an infrared sensor that detects infrared rays generated from a human body, an ultrasonic sensor that generates ultrasonic waves and detects approach of a person or an object by a reflected wave thereof, a laser beam, It is composed of various recognition sensors such as an optical sensor that generates an LED (emitting diode) light and the like and detects the approach of a person or an object by the reflected light, and supplies a sensing signal sensed by these sensors to the control microcomputer 22. .

The sleep changeover switch 10 is, for example, a so-called second time which is a time until the display unit 4 enters a sleep state.
Is a switch that can be selected from three types of sleep OFF, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes.

It is assumed that the memory card 14 has already recorded, as compressed image data, image information taken by an electronic still camera or the like.

The memory card controller 21 serves to supply the compressed image data recorded on the memory card 14 to a control microcomputer 22, which will be described later.

The control microcomputer 22 receives, for example, information about the processing designated by the operator from the operation unit 12, supplies information about the three types of time settings switched by the operator from the sleep switch 10, or receives an object. When a sensing signal is supplied from the recognition sensor 5, the screen display state of the display unit 4 is controlled.

More specifically, when reproducing an image recorded on the memory card 14, the control microcomputer 22 reads compressed image data from the memory card 14 via the memory card controller 21 and reads the compressed image data. Is recorded in a built-in DRAM (not shown).
The control microcomputer 22 acquires the recorded compressed image data from the DRAM and supplies it to the image processing block 23. The image processing block 23 decompresses the compressed image data supplied from the DRAM and writes it back to the DRAM. The image processing block 23 acquires the decompressed image data from the DRAM, converts the image data into a video signal, and supplies the converted video signal to the display unit 4 to cause the display unit 4 to display it as a video.

The control microcomputer 22 controls, for example, a sleep function using a timer, and when a predetermined time has elapsed since the last operation by the operator, the display currently displayed on the display unit 4 at that time. Image data relating to the image is recorded in a display image storage unit 24 described later, and a power supply unit (not shown) is controlled to put the display unit 4 into a sleep state.

Specifically, when the timer is set to 30 minutes, the control microcomputer 22 operates the operation unit 1 by the operator.
2 is monitored, and 30 times after the last operation by the operator.
After a minute, image data relating to the display image currently displayed on the display unit 4 is recorded in a display image storage unit 24 described later, and a power supply unit (not shown) is controlled to put the display unit 4 into a sleep state. Alternatively, the control microcomputer 22 determines that the timer is O
When set to FF, the input state of the operator to the operation unit 12 and the display state of the display image that automatically changes the display image based on the input information input to the operation unit 12 by the operator are displayed. When monitoring is performed and it is detected that the same image has been displayed for a predetermined time, the display unit 4
Is stored in a display image storage unit 24, which will be described later, and a power supply unit (not shown) is controlled to put the display unit 4 into a sleep state.

While the display unit 4 is in the sleep state, the object recognition sensor 5 always performs control to detect whether a person or an object has approached a certain range. When the operator recognizes that a person or an object has approached within a certain range, for example, by holding the hand in front of the sensor, the object recognition sensor 5 supplies a detection signal to the control microcomputer 22. The control microcomputer 22 receives the sensing signal from the object recognition sensor 5 to acquire image data on the display image immediately before entering the sleep state from the display image storage unit, and display the acquired image data immediately before entering the sleep state. The image data relating to the image is supplied to the image processing block 23. The image processing block 23 converts the image data relating to the display image immediately before entering the sleep state supplied from the control microcomputer 22 into a video signal, and supplies the converted video signal to the display unit 4 to display the video on the display unit 4. To be displayed.

Further, when, for example, a sensing signal is supplied from the object recognition sensor 5, the control microcomputer 22 controls a power supply (not shown) to turn on or off the supply of power to the display 4.

More specifically, the object recognition sensor 5 supplies a sensing signal to the control microcomputer 22 when, for example, sensing that a person has held his hand. When a control signal is supplied from the object recognition sensor 5, the control microcomputer 22 controls a power supply unit (not shown) to turn off power supply to the display unit 4. Alternatively, for example, when the display time is set to 60 minutes by the sleep changeover switch 10 provided on the back part of the main body 7, the object recognition sensor 5 detects that a person has put his hand, for example. Microcomputer 22
To supply. When the control signal is supplied from the object recognition sensor 5, the control microcomputer 22 controls a power supply unit (not shown) to supply power to the display unit 4 60 minutes after the supply of the detection signal. Turn on the supply.

The display image storage unit 24 includes, for example, the display unit 4
Is where image data relating to the display image displayed on the display unit 4 immediately before entering the sleep state is recorded.

In the image display device 1 configured as described above, the control microcomputer 22 obtains the image data recorded on the memory card 14 via the memory card controller 21 so that the display unit 4 displays a plurality of images. Can be displayed.

Next, a series of processing until the display unit 4 of the image display device 1 shifts to the sleep state will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The processing shown in FIG. 6 is a part of a main processing loop that is performed by the control microcomputer 22 at a constant cycle, and represents a steady state when the apparatus is not in the sleep state. Further, the initialization processing is performed outside the processing shown in FIG. Further, apart from the processing shown in FIG. 6, the control microcomputer 22 uses the timer interrupt function to
The countdown is constantly performed until the sleep timer reaches zero.

First, in step S1 of FIG. 6, the control microcomputer 22 determines whether or not the sleep switch 10 is set to sleep OFF.
If it is determined that the FF has not been set, the processing is:
Proceed to step S4.

On the other hand, when the control microcomputer 22 determines that the sleep switch 10 is set to the sleep OFF, the process proceeds to step S2.

Subsequently, in step S2, the control microcomputer 22 determines whether the current display image No., which is the number of the display image currently displayed on the display unit 4, and the old display number, which is the previously updated display image number, which will be described later. If it is determined whether or not the image No. is different, and if it is determined that there is no difference, that is, if it is determined that the display image has not changed, the process proceeds to step S4.

On the other hand, when the control microcomputer 22 determines that the current display image No. and the old display image No. are different,
That is, if it is determined that the display image has changed, the process proceeds to step S3.

The current display image No. refers to a number updated by the control microcomputer 22 outside the processing shown in FIG.

Subsequently, in step S3, the control microcomputer 22 sets the screen protection time to the value of the microcomputer timer. The screen protection time is a so-called first predetermined time, for example, a time as long as possible within a range in which the display unit 4 such as a liquid crystal display does not cause burn-in, and is, for example, about 10 hours.

Subsequently, in step S4, the control microcomputer 22 updates the old display image No. to reset the current display image No. to the old display image No. for the next collation. That is, the control microcomputer 22 records the current display image No. in the display screen storage unit 24 as the old display image No.

Subsequently, in step S5, the control microcomputer 22 determines, for example, whether a switch operation has been performed by the operator on the operation unit 12, or whether the object recognition sensor 5 has sensed a hand or the like by the operator. If it is determined that no switch operation has been performed by the operator on the operation unit 12 or that the object recognition sensor 5 has not sensed a hand or the like by the operator, the process proceeds to step S10. move on.

On the other hand, when the control microcomputer 22 determines that a switch operation has been performed by the operator on the operation unit 12 or that the object recognition sensor 5 has sensed a hand or the like by the operator, the processing is as follows. Proceed to step S6.

Subsequently, in step S6, if the control microcomputer 22 determines that the sleep switch 10 has not been set to 30 minutes, the process proceeds to step S6.
Proceed to 8.

On the other hand, if the control microcomputer 22 determines that the sleep switch 10 is set to 30 minutes, the process proceeds to step S7.

Subsequently, when the control microcomputer 22 sets the value of the sleep timer to 30 minutes in step S7, the process proceeds to step S10.

In step S8, the control microcomputer 22
However, if it is determined that the sleep switch 10 has not been set to 60 minutes, the process proceeds to step S10.

On the other hand, if the control microcomputer 22 determines that the sleep switch 10 is set to 60 minutes, the process proceeds to step S9.

Subsequently, when the control microcomputer 22 sets the value of the sleep timer to 60 minutes in step S9, the process proceeds to step S10.

Subsequently, in step S10, the control microcomputer 22 detects the microcomputer timer value or the sleep timer value that has been counted down, and the microcomputer timer value or the sleep timer value has not become zero. If it is determined, the process returns to step S1.

On the other hand, when the control microcomputer 22 determines that the value of the microcomputer timer or the value of the sleep timer that has been counted down is 0, the process proceeds to step S11.

Subsequently, in step S11, the control microcomputer 22 performs a process of controlling the power supply unit (not shown) to shift the display unit 4 to the sleep state.

By performing the above processing, the display unit 4 of the image display device 1 can be protected from the burn-in phenomenon even when there is no switch operation or the like by the operator.

Further, even if a switch operation or the like is performed by the operator, but the display image displayed on the display unit 4 does not change, the display unit 4 of the image display device 1 can be protected from the burn-in phenomenon. Further, even when the image display device 1 is left unattended for a long time, such as at a store display, the display unit 4 of the image display device 1 can be protected from the burn-in phenomenon.

The above-mentioned control microcomputer 22 performs the process of shifting the display unit 4 to the sleep state.
The power supply to the display unit 4 may be stopped, and the display unit 4 may be turned off. Further, the above-described control microcomputer 22 performs the process of shifting the display unit 4 to the sleep state, but may perform the process of shifting the entire image display device 1 to the sleep state.

Further, the above-mentioned display unit 4 is constituted by a liquid crystal display or the like, but may be constituted by a CRT or the like.

Furthermore, in the image display device 1 described above, the display unit 4 is built in, but need not be. That is, the display screen of the external display device from which the image display device 1 has output the video signal may be protected.

[0064]

As described above, according to the image display apparatus and the image display method of the present invention, the same image is prevented from being displayed on the display unit for a predetermined period of time.
This prevents screen burn-in and protects the screen.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the back side of the image display device.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the image display device in a state where the operation unit is fully rotated.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the image display device in a state where the operation unit is fully rotated.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the image display device.

FIG. 6 shows a display unit 4 according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.
6 is a flowchart showing a flow of a series of processing until the device transitions to a sleep state.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 image display device, 2 transparent cover plate, 3 decorative plate, 4
Display unit, 5 object recognition sensor, 7 main unit, 10 sleep switch, 12 operation unit

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] May 27, 1999 (1999.5.2
7)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0040

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The processing shown in FIG. 6 is a part of a main processing loop that is performed by the control microcomputer 22 at a constant cycle, and represents a steady state when the apparatus is not in the sleep state. Further, the initialization processing is performed outside the processing shown in FIG. Further, apart from the processing shown in FIG. 6, the control microcomputer 22 uses the timer interrupt function to
The microcomputer timer and the sleep timer are constantly counted down until they reach zero.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0056

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Subsequently, in step S10, the control microcomputer 22 detects the microcomputer timer value or the sleep timer value that has been counted down, and the microcomputer timer value or the sleep timer value has not become zero. When it is determined that the sleep state has been reached, the processing for determining transition to the sleep state is terminated, and another processing of a main processing loop (not shown) is executed.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 6

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 6

Claims (6)

[Claims] A display means for displaying a still image obtained based on an image signal; a detection means for detecting whether the same still image has been displayed for a first predetermined time; And control means for controlling the state of the still image displayed on the display means based on the detection result obtained from the control means. The control means uses the detection means to perform the same operation for the first predetermined time. An image display device, wherein, when it is detected that a still image is continuously displayed, the display means stops displaying the same still image. 2. A storage device for storing the same still image, and a recognizing device for recognizing the approach of an object, wherein the control device detects the same still image for the first predetermined time by the detecting device. When it is detected that the image is continuously displayed, the still image that is continuously displayed is stored in the storage unit, and then the display of the same still image on the display unit is stopped. 2. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein when the object is recognized as approaching, the display unit displays the same still image stored in the storage unit. 3. A setting means for setting a display state of the display means; a first counting means for counting time until the first predetermined time elapses; and a second counting means for estimating a second predetermined time. A second counting means for counting time, wherein the control means resets the count of the first counting means and newly counts when the inspection means detects that the still images which are not the same are displayed. Then, when there is recognition by the recognition means for recognizing the approach of the object or input from the setting means, the count of the second counting means is reset and newly counted, and the same stationary state is displayed on the display means. 2. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the display of the image is stopped. 4. A method for displaying a still image obtained based on an image signal, detecting whether the same still image has been continuously displayed for a first predetermined time, and for detecting the same for the first predetermined time. An image display method, comprising, when it is detected that the same still image is continuously displayed, stopping displaying the same still image on a display means for displaying the still image. 5. When it is detected that the same still image has been continuously displayed for the first predetermined time, the continuously displayed still image is stored in storage means for storing the same still image. Stopping displaying the same still image on the display means, and when the object is recognized as approaching, causing the display means to display the same still image stored in the storage means. 5. The image display method according to claim 4, wherein: 6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of resetting the count of the first counting means for counting the time until the first predetermined time elapses when detecting that the non-identical still image is displayed, and newly counting the object. The second counting means for counting the time until the second predetermined time elapses when there is an input from the setting means for setting the display state of the display means or recognition by the recognition means for recognizing the approach of the vehicle. 5. The image display method according to claim 4, wherein the counting is reset, a new counting is performed, and the display unit stops displaying the same still image.