JP2008039795A - Multi display system - Google Patents

Abstract

An image display apparatus that constitutes a multi-display system is appropriately dealt with.
N partial screens corresponding to n (n is an integer of 2 or more and n ≦ m) image display devices (projectors) among m (m is an integer of 3 or more) image display devices. A display screen as a set of n partial screens corresponding to the n image display devices, and a function for controlling the image display device and the image signal distribution device (scan converter). When a display abnormality occurs in an image display device among the n image display devices in a state configured on the display surface, a predetermined image display device excluding the image display device in which the display abnormality has occurred An image display control device CNT having a function of reconfiguring the display screen as a set of the n partial screens with respect to the image display device and the image signal distribution device. You .
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-display system, an image display control method in the multi-display system, an image display control apparatus in the multi-display system, and an image display control program in the multi-display system.

  A multi-display system that forms a large screen by arranging partial screens corresponding to a plurality of image display devices has been put into practical use. In particular, a multi-display system that forms a large screen as a whole by using a projector as an image display device and displaying partial images corresponding to a plurality of projectors on a screen has been put into practical use in various fields.

  However, since such a multi-display system uses a plurality of image display devices, the probability of failure increases. Simply put, when N projectors (N is 2 or more) are used as a plurality of image display devices, the probability of failure will be N times that of a single projector. Even if a failure that disables display occurs in only one of the N projectors, a part of the display image is lost. This is a great deterioration in display quality, and may be fatal in some cases. In other words, an image display method that displays a single image using a plurality of projectors has a failure probability that is N times that of an image display method that uses a single display device as a whole when viewed as a single display device. There is a problem that the display method becomes very unreliable.

  By the way, as the cause of the failure of the image display device that leads to the loss of the display image, when the image display device is a projector, there are many causes of the light source such as lamp burnout. Many current projectors use a high-pressure mercury lamp as a projection light source, but this type of lamp often suffers from a failure such as a lamp burnout when used for several hundred to several thousand hours. Furthermore, the lamp failure time varies greatly due to individual differences such as the usage time of each projector, individual differences among the lamps, and the like.

  Therefore, in a multi-display system composed of a plurality of projectors, it is fully conceivable that a certain projector will suddenly run out of lamps. In this way, when a failure such as a sudden lamp failure occurs in a projector, the partial screen corresponding to the projector in which the failure has occurred is lost among the screens displayed on the screen, and the display screen on the screen The quality will be greatly impaired.

  Various proposals have been made as techniques for solving such problems (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a projection direction switching unit in addition to the configuration of a normal projection display device (projector). This divides the entire display screen into a plurality of (M) display areas, and the projection direction switching unit converts the M display areas (M1, M2,...) Into display areas M1, M2,. .. and so on. Thereby, the entire image can be displayed in a time-sharing manner.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional multi-projection system that performs display in time division. At a certain moment, as shown in FIG. 18A, the projector PJ1 displays the area G1, the projector PJ2 displays the area G3, and the projector PJ3 displays the area G4. At another moment, as shown in FIG. 18B, the projector PJ1
Displays area G3, projector PJ2 displays area G4, and projector PJ3 displays area G2.

  According to this method, it is possible to display a large screen and high resolution by increasing the projection angle and increasing the number of screen divisions (display areas M1, M2,...). However, there is a problem that the average luminance is darker than the case where the entire screen is displayed at the same time because the display area switching time is required.

  In order to improve such a problem, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 displays a plurality of projectors having the projection direction switching unit described above, for example, N projectors (N ≦ M here). It shows how to do it.

  In other words, N of the M areas are displayed on N display devices at a certain moment, and the entire display screen is displayed in time division by switching the areas in time division. As a result, the average luminance is N times that of a single display, and a large screen, high luminance, and high resolution image can be displayed. In such a display method, even if a failure such as a lamp burnout occurs in one of the N units, the display itself is continuously performed by the remaining (N-1) units. That is, in this case, the brightness is only darkened by 1 / N, and the display is not deteriorated such that a part of the display is lost.

  On the other hand, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, as the first embodiment, a single projector having a plurality of light sources, a light source selection unit, and a light source mixing unit is configured as one projection unit. It is shown that a multi-display system is configured by using a plurality. According to this, even if one of the light sources fails, the display can be maintained by the remaining light sources.

  Further, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, as a second embodiment, a plurality of projectors having one light source are arranged in a stacked state, and one projector unit is formed by combining the plurality of projectors. It is shown that a multi-display system is configured using a plurality of projection units. According to this, even if a problem occurs in the light source of one projector in each projection unit, other projectors can make up for it, so that substantially the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. .

JP 2004-356919 A JP 2005-204165 A

  However, the techniques disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above both require special projectors, or operate a plurality of projectors of the same set like a single projector. There is a problem that a mechanism is necessary.

  Specifically, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires a projection direction switching unit. This requires that the time-division display can be performed, the operation can be performed at a high speed to some extent, and the projection direction can be switched at a large angle so that a large screen display can be performed. However, this is very difficult and very expensive.

In Embodiment 1 in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2, a plurality of light sources, a light source selection unit, a light source mixing unit, and the like are required. In addition, these must be arranged in an actual projector so as not to cause deterioration in display performance due to an optical axis shift or the like. These are very difficult to achieve or very expensive.

  Furthermore, Embodiment 2 in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2 must operate a plurality of projectors constituting one projection unit like a single projector. For this reason, it is necessary to adjust between a plurality of projectors with high accuracy, and it is very difficult to maintain this state. Further, since the number of projectors required increases, the cost increases accordingly.

  Further, the technique disclosed in Embodiment 1 of Patent Document 2 considers only a failure of a light source as a cause of failure. Therefore, there is also a problem that a failure due to a cause other than the failure of the light source cannot be dealt with.

  Although the above has described a multi-display system using a plurality of projectors, not only a projector but also a multi-display system in which a plurality of image display devices such as a direct-view flat panel display are arranged, for example, The same problem occurs when a failure occurs in the device.

  The present invention relates to a multi-display system capable of constructing a large-screen display screen using a plurality of image display devices, and does not require an image display device having a special function, and the image display constituting the multi-display system. Multi-display system capable of appropriately dealing with display abnormality of apparatus and maintaining display reliability, image display control method in multi-display system, image display control apparatus in multi-display system, and multi-display system An object of the present invention is to provide an image display control program.

  (1) A multi-display system of the present invention includes m (m is an integer of 3 or more) image display devices, and an image signal distribution device that distributes an image signal to each of the m image display devices. An image display control device that controls the m image display devices and the image signal distribution device, and displays a display screen as a set of m partial screens corresponding to the m image display devices. A multi-display system that can be configured as described above, wherein the image display control device includes n (n is an integer of 2 or more and n ≦ m) of the m image display devices. A function for performing control on the display surface as a set of n partial screens corresponding to the image display device and the image signal distribution device, and a set of the n partial screens As the display screen When a display abnormality occurs in an image display device among the n image display devices in a state configured on the display surface, a predetermined image display device other than the image display device in which the display abnormality has occurred is displayed. The image display device and the image signal distribution device have a function of reconfiguring the display screen as a set of the n partial screens with the corresponding partial screen.

By adopting such a configuration, an image display that is displaying in the display mode while displaying in a certain display mode, for example, using n of the m image display devices. Even when a failure due to a light source failure occurs in a certain image display device of the device, the display screen can be reconfigured using a partial screen corresponding to the image display device excluding the image display device in which the failure has occurred. It becomes possible, and the display by the present display mode can be continued.
As described above, in the multi-display system of the present invention, it is possible to cope with the failure of the image display device by reconfiguring the display screen, so that a special image display device is not required as the image display device used in the multi-display system. Thus, it is possible to appropriately cope with the occurrence of the failure of the image display device.

  As the display mode, for example, a display mode in which display is performed using the entire display surface, a display mode in which display is performed using only a predetermined portion of the entire display surface, and the entire display surface is divided into two or more. There are various display modes such as a display mode in which the above-described display screens are configured to display the same or different contents on each display screen. In any display mode, even if a failure occurs in a certain image display device among the image display devices displaying in the display mode, the display is continued with the partial screen missing. The display reliability can be maintained.

(2) In the multi-display system according to (1), the m partial screens are preferably arranged in a matrix on the display surface.
Thus, even when the partial screens corresponding to each image display device are arranged in a matrix on the display surface, the same effect as in (1) can be obtained.

  (3) In the multi-display system according to (1) or (2), when the image display control device reconfigures a display screen as a set of the n partial screens, the screen size of the display screen In the state where the display screen is maintained, it is determined whether or not reconfiguration is possible by moving the display screen on the display surface. If it is determined that the display screen is maintained, the screen size of the display screen is maintained. It is preferable to perform control to reconfigure the display screen by moving the display screen on the display surface.

  In this way, when the display screen can be reconfigured by moving it on the display screen while maintaining the screen size of the display screen, the display position on the display screen of the reconfigured display screen is re-established. Although it changes with respect to the position of the display screen before composition, the screen size of the display screen after reconstruction can maintain the screen size of the display screen before reconstruction as it is. For this reason, the display screen after reconfiguration can maintain the same display quality as the display screen before reconfiguration without any change in aspect ratio, resolution, etc. Can be continued.

  (4) In the multi-display system according to (1) or (2), when the image display control device reconfigures a display screen as a set of the n partial screens, a screen size of the display screen It is determined whether or not reconfiguration is possible by moving the display screen on the display surface in a state where the display is maintained. If it is determined that the display screen is not possible, the display as a set of the n partial screens is displayed. It is preferable to perform control to reconfigure the display screen by changing the screen size of the display screen so that the screen size is as close as possible to the screen size of the screen.

  This is a case where the screen cannot be moved while maintaining the screen size of the display screen. In this case, the display screen is reconfigured as close as possible to the screen size of the display screen before the reconfiguration. Change the screen size to match the size. In this case, the screen size is preferably changed within a range not exceeding the screen size of the display screen before reconfiguration. By reconfiguring the display screen like this, the screen size of the display screen after reconfiguration can be the maximum screen size within the range that does not exceed the screen size of the display screen before reconfiguration. The resolution can be ensured to the maximum and display quality can be prevented from greatly deteriorating.

  (5) In the multi-display system according to (4), when the image display control device performs control to reconfigure the display screen by changing a screen size of the display screen, the display screen after reconfiguration The display screen is reconfigured so that the aspect ratio is equal to or as close as possible to the aspect ratio of the display screen as a set of the n partial screens before reconstruction. preferable.

  In this way, when reconfiguring the display screen so as to change the screen size of the display screen, the aspect ratio of the display screen after the reconfiguration is set as close as possible to the aspect ratio of the display screen before the reconfiguration. By doing so, the display screen after reconfiguration has a screen configuration that is closer to the display screen before reconfiguration and the aspect ratio is kept substantially the same even if the screen sizes are different. As a result, the reconstructed display screen does not greatly change the aspect ratio, and thus can be a display screen that does not give the viewer a sense of discomfort.

  (6) In the multi-display system according to (4) or (5), when the image display control device performs control to reconfigure the display screen by changing a screen size of the display screen, reconfiguration is performed. The display screen is positioned so that the position of the subsequent display screen on the display surface is as close as possible to the position on the display surface of the display screen as a set of the n partial screens before reconstruction. It is preferable to perform reconfiguration control.

  In this way, when reconfiguring the display screen with the screen size of the display screen changed, by making the display position of the display screen after reconfiguration as close as possible to the display position of the display screen before reconfiguration, A display screen that does not give the viewer a sense of incongruity can be obtained.

(7) In the multi-display system according to any one of (1) to (6), when the image display device is a projector, the image display device is a set of partial screens corresponding to the projectors as the image display device. When the display screen is configured on the display surface, each partial screen corresponding to each projector is formed on the display screen so that an overlapping region is formed between adjacent partial screens among the partial screens corresponding to each projector. It is preferred to be arranged above.
As described above, when the image display device is a projector, it is possible to make the joint between the partial screens less noticeable by providing the overlapping area between the adjacent partial screens among the partial screens corresponding to each projector. A high quality screen image can be displayed.

(8) In the multi-display system according to (7), an edge blending unit that enables edge blending processing for making the brightness of the superimposed region appropriate for each projector is provided, and the image display control device includes: When reconstructing the display screen, it is preferable to set the edge blending process corresponding to the overlapping region formed on the reconstructed display screen.
Thereby, in the projector used for display of the display screen after reconfiguration, an appropriate edge blending process corresponding to the display screen after reconfiguration can be performed.

  (9) The image display control method in the multi-display system of the present invention distributes image signals to m (m is an integer of 3 or more) image display devices and to the image display devices of the m image display devices. An image signal distribution apparatus, the m image display apparatuses, and an image display control apparatus for controlling the image signal distribution apparatus, and a set of m partial screens corresponding to the m image display apparatuses An image display control method in a multi-display system in which a display screen can be configured on a display surface, wherein n (n is an integer of 2 or more and n ≦ m) of the m image display devices. When a display abnormality occurs in a certain image display device among the n image display devices in a state where a display screen as a set of n partial screens corresponding to the image display device is configured on the display surface. , Control for reconstructing a display screen as a set of the n partial screens by a partial screen corresponding to a predetermined image display device excluding the image display device in which the display abnormality has occurred. It is performed on the signal distribution device.

By applying the image display control by the image display control method in the multi-display system to the multi-display system described in (1), the multi-display system described in (1) can be realized. Note that the image display control method described in (9) preferably has the characteristics of the multi-display system described in (2) to (8).

  (10) The image display control device in the multi-display system of the present invention distributes image signals to m (m is an integer of 3 or more) image display devices and the image display devices of the m image display devices. An image signal distribution apparatus, the m image display apparatuses, and an image display control apparatus for controlling the image signal distribution apparatus, and a set of m partial screens corresponding to the m image display apparatuses An image display control device in a multi-display system that allows a display screen to be configured on a display surface, wherein n (n is an integer of 2 or more and n ≦ m) of the m image display devices. A function for controlling the image display device and the image signal distribution device to configure a display screen on the display surface as a set of n partial screens corresponding to the image display device; and the n portions Screen When a display abnormality occurs in an image display device among the n image display devices in a state where the display screen as a combination is configured on the display surface, the image display device in which the display abnormality has occurred is excluded. A function of reconfiguring a display screen as a set of the n partial screens with the partial screen corresponding to the predetermined image display device for the image display device and the image signal distribution device. It is characterized by that.

  By using an image display control device having such a function in a multi-display system, the multi-display system described in (1) can be realized. The image display control device in the multi-display system described in (10) preferably has the characteristics of the multi-display system described in (2) to (8).

  (11) The image display control program in the multi-display system of the present invention distributes an image signal to m (m is an integer of 3 or more) image display devices and the image display devices of the m image display devices. An image signal distribution device, the m image display devices, and an image display control device for controlling the image signal distribution device, and display m partial screens corresponding to the m image display devices on a display surface An image display control program in a multi-display system that enables a display screen as a set of m partial screens to be configured on the display surface by displaying on the image display control device. A display screen as a set of n partial screens corresponding to n (n is an integer of 2 or more and n ≦ m) image display devices of the image display devices is configured on the display surface. When a display abnormality occurs in an image display device among the n image display devices, a partial screen corresponding to a predetermined image display device excluding the image display device in which the display abnormality has occurred is displayed. , An image display control program in a multi-display system for executing control for reconfiguring a display screen as a set of the n partial screens.

  By causing the image display control apparatus to execute the image display control program in such a multi-display system, the multi-display system described in (1) can be realized. Note that the image display control method according to (11) preferably has the characteristics of the multi-display system of (2) to (8).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a multi-display system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the multi-display system according to the embodiment of the present invention, a projector is used as an image display device, and a plurality of partial screens corresponding to the plurality of projectors are displayed on the display surface. It is assumed that the display screen can be configured on a display surface (screen). The multi-display system according to the embodiment of the present invention is a rear-projection multi-display system in which each projector performs projection from the back side of the screen.

As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-display system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a screen SCR as a display surface, a total of seven horizontal units and three vertical units installed in the rack 1, as shown in FIG. There are 21 projectors PJ11 to PJ73. Corresponding to each of the projectors PJ11 to PJ73, the brightness of the overlapping area formed between the partial image displayed by each projector and the partial image displayed by the adjacent projector is made appropriate. An edge blending device (not shown in FIG. 1) is provided.

The projectors PJ11 to PJ73 installed in the rack 1 are arranged in the vertical direction as columns, and the columns are the first column, the second column,... From the left side in FIG. There are three projectors in each column, the projectors in the first column are given the symbols PJ11, PJ12, PJ13, and the projectors in the second column are given the symbols PJ21, PJ22, PJ23. In addition, the projectors in the seventh column are given the symbols PJ11 to PJ73 to the 21 projectors, such as the symbols PJ71, PJ72, and PJ73. In FIG. 1, only some projectors out of the 21 projectors are denoted by reference numerals in order to prevent the drawing from becoming complicated.
Each of the projectors PJ11 to PJ73 has a resolution of XGA (1024 pixels × 768 pixels).

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of distribution of image signals and control signals to the projectors PJ11 to PJ73. As shown in FIG. 2, the multi-display system according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with scan converters SC11 to SC73 corresponding to the projectors PJ11 to PJ73, and a portion corresponding to a partial image to be displayed by each projector. Assume that the image data is generated by a scan converter connected to the projector.
Each of the scan converters SC11 to SC73 receives a matrix of video signals from the image source unit VS (which may have a plurality of image source units such as the first image source unit VS1 and the second image source unit VS2). Delivered by the switcher MSW.

  Control signals for controlling the projectors PJ11 to PJ73, the scan converters SC11 to SC73, and the matrix switcher MSW are sent from the image display control device CNT (a personal computer or the like can be used) to the hub HUB (HUB1, HUB2). Given through. Here, a control signal for controlling the projectors PJ11 to PJ73 and a control signal for controlling the matrix switcher MSW are given via the hub HUB1, and a control signal for controlling the scan converters SC11 to SC73 is given by the hub HUB2. .

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration necessary for reconfiguring the display screen in the multi-display system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3 shows only one projector (referred to as projector PJ11) and scan converter (referred to as scan converter SC11) among projectors PJ11 to PJ73 and scan converters SC11 to SC73 shown in FIG. ing.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image display control device CNT includes a bidirectional communication unit 11 capable of bidirectional communication with the projectors PJ11 to PJ73 and the scan converters SC11 to SC73 via the system control communication path 100. And a display abnormality detection unit 12 for detecting which projector has a display abnormality by a signal (display abnormality signal) informing the display abnormality from the projectors PJ11 to PJ73, and a display abnormality detection unit 12 for displaying on a projector When it is detected that an abnormality has occurred, the display abnormality detection signal from the display abnormality detection unit 12 is searched for what kind of display screen can be reconfigured (described later), and the display abnormality is determined. Display screen reconfiguration setting control unit 13 for setting optimal display screen reconfiguration, and control by display screen reconfiguration setting control unit 13 Based on the volume, the projector PJ11~PJ73 to be controlled, a scan converter SC11～SC73, and a reconfiguration control signal generator 14 for generating a control signal for the display screen reconstructed for such matrix switcher MSW.

  The projectors PJ11 to PJ73 each include a bidirectional communication unit 21 capable of bidirectional communication with the image display control device CNT and the scan converter connected to the projector PJ11 through the system control communication path 100. Based on a projector component 22 that can perform a function as a projector, a state information generation unit 23 that generates information indicating its own state (for example, lamp out), and a control signal sent from the image display control device CNT. And a function setting unit 24 for setting various functions.

  The projector component 22 includes an input unit that inputs image data, a light source, a light source driving unit that drives the light source, and a liquid crystal modulation device as an electro-optic modulation device that modulates light from the light source according to the image data. And an optical system for guiding light from the light source to the liquid crystal modulation device, and a projection optical system for projecting image light from the liquid crystal modulation device on the screen.

It should be noted that the occurrence of a display abnormality due to lamp breakage or the like in each projector can be detected by a self-monitoring function or the like possessed by each projector. When such a display abnormality occurs, the state information generation unit 23 Generates display abnormality information indicating a display abnormality, and transmits the generated display abnormality information to the image display control device CNT by the bidirectional communication unit 21.
The function setting unit 24 performs various controls for displaying an image on the component 22 of the projector.

  On the other hand, the scan converters SC11 to SC73 include a bidirectional communication unit 31 capable of bidirectional communication with the image display control device CNT and the projector connected thereto via the system control communication path 100, and a normal scan. Various functions are set based on a scan converter component 32 capable of performing a function as a converter, a state information generating unit 33 that generates information indicating its own state, and a control signal sent from the image display control device CNT. And a function setting unit 34.

  The scan converter component 32 corresponds to a signal input unit that inputs a video signal distributed from the image source unit VS and a partial image that is to be projected by a projector to which the input video signal is connected. A signal converter that converts the video signal into a video signal; and a signal output unit that outputs the converted video signal to the projector.

  Further, the edge blending device 70 is connected to the image display control device CNT via the system control communication path 100 so that bidirectional communication is possible. The edge blending device 70 will be described later.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an arrangement of partial screens corresponding to the projectors PJ11 to PJ73 on the screen SCR. As shown in FIG. 4, in the multi-display system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the partial screens G11 to G73 corresponding to the projectors PJ11 to PJ73 are screened so as to have an overlapping area between the adjacent partial screens. It shall be arranged on the SCR.

As shown in FIG. 4, the horizontal overlapping area of the partial screen corresponding to the adjacent projector has 256 pixels and the vertical overlapping area has 192 pixels, and a total of 21 projectors PJ11 of 7 × 3. The screen size of the display screen as a set of partial screens corresponding to PJ73 has 5632 pixels in the horizontal direction and 1920 pixels in the vertical direction.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing examples of display modes that can be displayed in the multi-display system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the multi-display system according to the embodiment of the present invention, display in various display modes is possible. Here, five display modes (first to fifth displays) shown in FIGS. Mode).

  FIG. 5A shows a first display mode, and this first display mode is a display mode in which display is performed by the central three columns of partial screens G31 to G53. That is, partial screens G31 to G33 (see FIG. 4) corresponding to the third column projectors PJ31 to PJ33, partial screens G41 to G43 (see FIG. 4) corresponding to the fourth column projectors PJ41 to PJ43, and five columns. This is a display mode in which display is performed with partial screens G51 to G53 (see FIG. 4) corresponding to the eye projectors PJ51 to PJ53.

  FIG. 5B shows a second display mode, which has two display screens (referred to as a left display screen and a right display screen) on the screen, and includes a left display screen and a right display screen. Thus, the display modes (display modes using one system and two display screens) for displaying the same contents are provided.

  The left display screen is composed of partial screens G11 to G33 from the first column to the third column. That is, partial screens G11 to G13 (see FIG. 4) corresponding to the first row of projectors PJ11 to PJ13, partial screens G21 to G23 (see FIG. 4) corresponding to the second row of projectors PJ21 to PJ23, and three rows. It consists of partial screens G31 to G33 (see FIG. 4) corresponding to the eye projectors PJ31 to PJ33.

  The right display screen includes partial screens G51 to G73 from the fifth column to the seventh column. That is, partial screens G51 to G53 (see FIG. 4) corresponding to the fifth row of projectors PJ51 to PJ53, partial screens G61 to G63 (see FIG. 4) corresponding to the sixth row of projectors PJ61 to PJ63, and seven rows. It consists of partial screens G71 to G73 (see FIG. 4) corresponding to the eye projectors PJ71 to PJ73.

  FIG. 5C shows a third display mode, and the third display mode has two display screens (a left display screen and a right display screen) on the screen as in the second display mode. This is a display mode (display mode with two systems and two display screens) that performs different display on the left display screen and the right display screen. The partial screens constituting the left display screen and the right display screen are the same as in the second display mode.

  FIG. 5D shows a fourth display mode. This fourth display mode is a projector excluding the projectors at the left and right ends (first and seventh columns), that is, the projectors PJ21 to PJ21 in the second to sixth columns. This is a display mode in which display is performed using partial screens G21 to G63 (see FIG. 4) corresponding to PJ63.

FIG. 5 (e) shows the fifth display mode. This fifth display mode includes 21 projectors P.
This is a display mode in which display is performed using all of the partial screens G11 to G73 (see FIG. 4) corresponding to J11 to PJ73.

The multi-display system according to the embodiment of the present invention performs display during display in any one of the first to fifth display modes shown in FIGS. When a display abnormality occurs in one of the projectors that are in use, the display in each display mode can be continued by reconfiguring the display screen without leaving a partial screen missing. It is what.

  In the multi-display system according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the display abnormality of the projector is in a state where display is impossible due to the lamp of the light source being burned out. Hereinafter, specific examples of display screen reconstruction in the first to fifth display modes will be described.

[Example of screen reconfiguration in the first display mode]
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the reconfiguration (part 1) of the display screen in the first display mode. As described with reference to FIG. 5A, the first display mode is a display mode in which display is performed using partial screens G51 to G53 corresponding to the projectors PJ31 to PJ53 in the third to fifth columns.

  Among the projectors PJ31 to PJ53 in the third to fifth columns that display when the first display mode is performed, the projector PJ52 has run out of lamp (hereinafter referred to as a failure), and the partial screen G52 corresponding to the projector PJ52 is missing. (See FIG. 6A).

  In this case, reconfiguration is possible by moving the display screen while maintaining the screen size. That is, the partial screens G51, G52, and G53 corresponding to the projectors PJ51, PJ52, and PJ53 in the fifth row where the failed projector PJ52 exists are not used, and the projectors PJ21 to PJ43 in the second to fourth rows are used. It is possible to reconstruct the display screen using the corresponding partial screens G21 to G43. Display in the first display mode can be continued by reconfiguring such a display screen (see FIG. 6B).

  Thus, for example, even when a projector (designated as projector PJ52) suddenly breaks down and cannot be displayed during display in the first display mode as shown in FIG. The display in the first display mode as shown in (a) can be continued. At this time, the display screen after reconfiguration is a position where the position of the display screen is slightly shifted to the left on the screen SCR with respect to the position of the display screen before reconfiguration, but the size, resolution, and aspect ratio of the display screen are There is no change.

  The display screen is reconfigured by the image display control device CNT controlling devices such as a projector and a scan converter. In other words, for projectors, lighting control of a projector that is newly used for display of the display screen after reconfiguration, between adjacent partial screens of each partial screen corresponding to the projector used for display of the display screen after reconfiguration Control the edge blending process of the overlapping area formed on the projector, turn off the projector to stop using it, and use it for the display screen after reconfiguration when reconfiguring the display screen for the scan converter Each projector is controlled to generate a video signal corresponding to a partial image to be displayed.

For example, when the display screen is reconfigured as shown in FIG. 6A to FIG. 6B, the image display control device CNT supplies lamps to the projectors PJ21 to PJ23 in the second row that perform new display. A control signal for lighting is transmitted, and these are provided corresponding to the second-row projectors PJ21 to PJ23 that newly perform display and the third- and fourth-row projectors PJ31 to PJ43 that have already been displayed. Control signals for generating video signals of partial images to be displayed by the projectors PJ21 to PJ43 are transmitted to the scan converters SC21 to SC43. Further, control for performing an edge blending process (this process will be described later) for making the overlapping region formed between adjacent partial screens inconspicuous with respect to the edge blending device 70 corresponding to each projector PJ21 to PJ43. Send a signal. Further, a control signal for turning off the lamp is transmitted to projectors PJ51 to PJ53 that are no longer used.
The projectors PJ21 to PJ53 that have received the respective control signals control the turning off / on of the light source, and the scan converters SC21 to SC43 generate video signals of partial images to be displayed by the projectors corresponding to the projectors. The operation of the edge blending device 70 that has received the control signal will be described later.

  7 to 10 are diagrams for explaining the edge blending process when the display screen is reconfigured. In the multi-display system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the edge blending process is performed by the light shielding plate 20, and the image display control device CNT sends a control signal to the edge blending device 70 so as to set a desired edge blending pattern. It is assumed that the edge blending device 70 transmits and switches the edge blending pattern based on the received control signal.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an edge blending device installed corresponding to each of a plurality of projectors PJ11 to PJ73 constituting the multi-projection system. In FIG. 7, an edge blending apparatus corresponding to one projector (referred to as projector PJ11) will be described. However, edge blending apparatuses corresponding to other projectors also have the same configuration.

  The edge blending apparatus 70 includes a light shielding unit holding unit 71 formed of a disk-like member having a plurality of edge blending pattern forming units (described later), and an edge for switching and controlling the edge blending pattern EBP by rotating the light shielding unit holding unit 71. A blending pattern switching control unit 72 (having a motor 73 and a motor control unit 74), an initial position detecting sensor 75 for accurately detecting the initial position of the light shielding means holding unit 71, and these edge blending pattern switching control units 72, an initial position detection sensor 75 and the like are mounted, and a component mounting base 76 is installed so as to straddle a part of the side surface and the upper end surface of the housing of the projector PJ11. As the motor 73, a stepping motor is used.

  The light shielding means holding portion 71 has a central portion 71 a fixed to the rotating shaft 73 a of the motor 73 with a screw 71 b or the like. Further, in the light shielding means holding portion 71, edge blending pattern forming portions P0 to P4 each having a plurality of (five) circular or rectangular (circular in FIG. 7) opening portions are concentric with equal intervals. It is provided above. These edge blending pattern forming portions P0 to P4 form a desired edge blending pattern EBP by attaching the light shielding plate 20.

  The edge blending pattern forming portions P0 to P4 are arranged at the same distance from the central portion 71a on each line segment at an angle of 72 degrees passing through the central portion 71a of the light shielding means holding portion 71. It is formed so that the center of is located. Further, each edge blending pattern forming portion P0 to P4 has a diameter that allows the projection light from the projector PJ11 to completely pass through (when there is no “vignetting” of the projection light) when the light shielding plate 20 is not attached. Have.

  As the light shielding means holding unit 71 rotates, the edge blending pattern forming units P0 to P4 sequentially correspond to the projection light from the projector PJ11, that is, the position facing the projection lens L of the projector PJ11. It is provided to become. At this time, the edge blending pattern forming unit facing the projection lens L of the projector PJ11 faces the projection lens L so that the projection light from the projector PJ11 can be completely passed in a state where the light shielding plate 20 is not attached. Position.

  Then, the motor 73 is rotated at an angle of 72 degrees from the initial position of the light shielding means holding unit 71 (here, the position where the edge blending pattern forming unit P0 faces the projection lens L of the projector PJ11 is the initial position). As a result, the other edge blending pattern forming portions P1 to P3 can be sequentially positioned to face the projection lens L of the projector PJ11.

  The initial position of the light shielding unit holding unit 71 is detected by detecting a notch or a convex portion (not shown) provided in the light shielding unit holding unit 71 by an initial position detection sensor (such as a photo interrupter) 75. Can be done by. The initial position detecting means is constituted by the initial position detecting sensor 75 and the notch or convex part (not shown) provided in the light shielding means holding part 71.

  Further, the motor control unit 74 of the edge blending pattern switching control unit 72 is provided with communication means for enabling the projector PJ11 to control switching of the edge blending pattern EBP and the like. As the communication means, for example, so-called LAN communication means such as TCP / IP or serial communication means such as EIA232 (RS232C) or USB can be used.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the light shielding plate 20 attached to the edge blending pattern forming portions P0 to P4. The light shielding plate 20 is formed of a rectangular plate-like member, and those having various edge shapes can be used. 8A is a light shielding plate 20 having a straight edge shape, FIG. 8B is a light shielding plate 20 having a sawtooth edge shape, FIG. 8C is a light shielding plate 20 having a rectangular edge shape, and FIG. d) is a light shielding plate 20 having a wavy edge shape. In the embodiment of the present invention, the light shielding plate 20 shown in FIG. The light shielding plate 20 may be a member that reduces light, such as a neutral density filter.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which the light shielding plate 20 shown in FIG. 8A is attached to the edge blending pattern forming portion P0. In the example of FIG. 9, an example is shown in which one light shielding plate 20 (shown by a broken line) is attached so as to correspond to an overlapping region generated in the vertical direction of the projection light from the projector PJ11.

  Although FIG. 9 shows a case where one light shielding plate 20 is attached to the edge blending pattern forming portion P0 in the vertical direction, the present invention is not limited to the vertical direction, and the horizontal direction and a plurality of light shielding plates 20 are combined. Thus, a desired edge blending pattern EBP such as an L shape or a U shape can be formed. As described above, various edge blending patterns EBP can be formed by changing the attachment position of the light shielding plate 20 to the edge blending pattern forming portions P0 to P4 or combining a plurality of light shielding plates 20. .

  Further, the light shielding plate 20 is attached to the edge blending pattern forming portions P0 to P4 by attaching the both ends in the longitudinal direction of the light shielding plate 20 to the disk surface of the light shielding means holding portion 11 outside the edge blending pattern forming portions P0 to P4. It is done by fixing by means. As this attachment means, for example, various attachment means such as a magnet, Velcro (registered trademark), and screwing can be used. However, the light shielding plate 20 can be easily attached and detached and positioned on the light shielding plate 20 after the attachment. It is preferable that the mounting means does not cause a deviation.

According to the edge blending apparatus 70 according to the embodiment of the present invention as described above, different edge blending patterns EBP are formed in the five edge blending pattern forming portions P0 to P4 provided in the light shielding means holding portion 11. By attaching the light shielding plate 20 as described above, five types of edge blending patterns EBP can be switched and used. Since the five types of edge blending patterns EBP are switched only by rotating the light shielding means holding unit 71 by 72 degrees by a motor (stepping motor) 73, the mechanism and control for switching the edge blending patterns EBP are very simple. It will be something.

  In addition, various edge blending patterns EBP can be formed by changing the mounting position of the light shielding plate 20 to the edge blending pattern forming portions P0 to P4 or by combining a plurality of light shielding plates 20. It is possible to easily cope with a change in the pattern (including a change in the width of the overlapping region).

  The image display control device CNT performs edge blending processing using the edge blending device 70 described above. For example, the image display control device CNT stores the edge blending patterns formed in the edge blending pattern forming units P0 to P4 of each edge blending device 70. Then, an edge blending pattern forming unit to be used (facing the projection lens L) in the edge blending apparatus 70 corresponding to the projector used to display the reconstructed display screen is determined. This determination is made based on the stored edge blending pattern. Next, when the determined edge blending pattern forming unit is not used in the current display mode, a control signal for rotating the light shielding unit holding unit 71 of the edge blending device to a desired position is transmitted to the corresponding projector. To do. The edge blending device 70 that has received this control signal rotates the light shielding means holding unit 71 to the determined position of the edge blending pattern forming unit. In this way, the edge blending process for making the overlapping region formed between adjacent partial screens inconspicuous can be performed.

  FIG. 10A shows the edge blending pattern EBP set for each projector PJ31 to PJ53 used for displaying the display screen before reconfiguration, and FIG. 10B is used for displaying the display screen after reconfiguration. An edge blending pattern EBP set for each projector PJ21 to PJ43 is shown. As can be seen from FIGS. 10A and 10B, the edge blending pattern EBP is newly set for the projectors PJ21 to PJ22 newly used by the reconfiguration by reconfiguring the display screen. Thus, the edge blending pattern EBP is changed for the projectors PJ31 to PJ43 used to display the display screen before reconfiguration. For example, in the projector PJ32, the edge blending pattern, which was the “U” shape before the reconstruction, is changed to the “B” shape after the reconstruction.

  By setting the edge blending pattern EBP of each projector PJ21 to PJ43 used for display of the reconstructed display screen as shown in FIG. 10B, adjacent portions of the partial screens corresponding to the projectors PJ21 to PJ43 The brightness of the overlapping area formed between the screens can be adjusted appropriately, and the overlapping area can be made inconspicuous.

  By reconfiguring the display screen as described above, if a certain partial screen (here, the partial screen G52 corresponding to the projector PJ52) of the display screen in the first display mode is missing, it is normally missing. The partial screen G52 remains missing until repair work such as lamp replacement (or projector body replacement work, etc.) is completed. On the other hand, in the multi-display system according to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, the display in the first display mode can be continued by reconfiguring the display screen as shown in FIG.

When the display screen is reconfigured as shown in FIG. 6, the display screen after the reconfiguration is slightly shifted from the display screen on the screen SCR with respect to the display screen before the reconfiguration. The same display quality as the display screen before reconfiguration can be maintained without changing the size, aspect ratio, resolution, etc. of the display screen.

  In addition, when a lamp burnout occurs, the corresponding partial screen of the projector is lost when the lamp burnout occurs, but the display screen reconstruction process can be performed in a short time, so the partial screen is missing. Since the time is very short, it does not give viewers a sense of incongruity. The same applies to the case where the display screen is reconfigured in another display mode described later.

  In the example of FIG. 6, the projector PJ52 has a failure during display in the first display mode, but the same applies to the case where a failure has occurred in another projector that performs display in the first display mode. The display screen can be reconfigured.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the reconfiguration (part 2) of the display screen in the first display mode. As shown in FIG. 11A, when a failure occurs in the projector PJ43 among the projectors that perform display when the first display mode is performed, the partial screen G43 corresponding to the projector PJ43 is lost. Also in this case, it is possible to move the display screen while maintaining the screen size. That is, the partial screens G41, G42, and G43 corresponding to the fourth-row projectors PJ41, PJ42, and PJ43 where the failed projector PJ43 exists are not used, and the projectors PJ11 to PJ33 in the first to third rows are not used. The display screen can be reconstructed using the corresponding partial screens G11 to G33. Display in the first display mode can be continued by reconfiguring the display screen as described above (see FIG. 11B).

  Further, also in the case of performing the display screen reconstruction as shown in FIG. 11, the image display control device CNT transmits a control signal to the corresponding projector or scan converter. In addition, an edge blending pattern is set in order to make an overlapping region formed between adjacent partial screens corresponding to each projector PJ11 to PJ33 inconspicuous, and an edge blending device corresponding to each projector PJ11 to PJ33. A control signal is transmitted to 70.

  In the example of FIG. 11, the display screen is reconfigured using the partial screens G11 to G33 corresponding to the projectors PJ11 to PJ33 in the first to third columns. You may make it reconfigure | reconstruct a display screen using the partial screens G51-G73 corresponding to the projectors PJ51-PJ73 of the row | line | column.

[Example of screen reconfiguration in the second display mode]
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a reconfiguration example of the display screen in the display in the second display mode. In the second display mode, as described with reference to FIG. 5B, the left display screen is configured by the partial screens G11 to G33 corresponding to the left three rows of projectors PJ11 to PJ33, and the right three rows of projectors PJ51 to PJ73. This is a display mode in which the right display screen is configured by the partial screens G51 to G73 corresponding to, and the same contents are displayed on the left and right display screens, that is, the display mode with one system two display screens

  In such a second display mode, as shown in FIG. 12A, among the projectors PJ51 to PJ73 constituting the right display screen, the projector PJ51 has failed, and the partial screen G51 corresponding to the projector PJ51 is missing. Consider the situation.

Since the second display mode is a display mode based on the one-system two-display screen (see FIG. 5B), the entire display screen (in this case, the right-side display screen) including the partial screen G51 corresponding to the failed projector PJ51. It is also possible to stop the display and switch to the display only on the left display screen to continue the display, but here, the right display screen is reconfigured as shown in FIG. Therefore, the display by the 1 system 2 display screen shall be maintained.

  However, in this case, unlike the case of FIGS. 6 and 11, reconfiguration by moving the display screen while maintaining the screen size is not possible. Therefore, in order to maintain the display on the one-system two-display screen, the screen size of the right-side display screen is changed as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 12B, the display screen is reconfigured by a projector other than the failed projector PJ51, the projectors PJ52 and PJ53 that exist in the same column as the projector PJ51, and the projectors PJ61 and PJ71 that exist in the same row. Do.

  FIG. 12B shows an example in which the display screen is reconfigured by changing the screen size in order to maintain the display of the one-system two-display screen. As shown in FIG. 12B, the display screen is reconfigured by partial screens G62, G63, G72, and G73 corresponding to the projectors PJ62, PJ63, PJ72, and PJ73. By reconstructing such a display screen, it is possible to obtain a display screen having a screen size as close as possible to the display screen before reconfiguration while maintaining the aspect ratio of the display screen before reconfiguration. In this case, the screen size as close as possible to the display screen before reconstruction is set to be the maximum screen size within a range not exceeding the screen size of the display screen before reconstruction.

  By reconstructing the display screen as shown in FIG. 12B, even if a projector malfunctions during display in the second display mode, the display before reconstruction is maintained while maintaining the aspect ratio. Since the display can be performed with the maximum screen size within a range not exceeding the screen size of the screen, the maximum resolution can be ensured and the display quality can be maintained to some extent.

  Even when the display screen is reconfigured as shown in FIG. 12, the image display control device CNT transmits a control signal to the corresponding projector or the corresponding scan converter, and each of the partial screens G62, G63, G72, Edge blending processing is performed to make the overlapping region formed between adjacent partial screens of G73 inconspicuous. Since these processings have been described in the reconfiguration of the display screen in the first display mode, here Description is omitted.

[Example of screen reconfiguration in the third display mode]
In the third display mode, as described with reference to FIG. 5C, the left display screen is configured by the partial screens G11 to G33 corresponding to the left three columns of projectors PJ11 to PJ33, and the right three columns of projectors PJ51 to PJ73. This is a display mode (display mode with two systems and two display screens) in which the right side display screen is constituted by the partial screens G51 to G73 corresponding to, and different contents are displayed on the left and right display screens. Such reconstruction of the display screen when a projector out of the projectors performing display in the third display mode fails can be performed in the same manner as the reconstruction of the display screen in the second display mode.

[Example of screen reconfiguration in 4th display mode]
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining reconfiguration (part 1) of the display screen in the fourth display mode. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the reconfiguration (part 2) of the display screen in the fourth display mode.

  As described with reference to FIG. 5D, the fourth display mode corresponds to projectors other than the left and right projectors (first and seventh row projectors), that is, the second to sixth row projectors PJ21 to PJ63. This is a display mode for displaying using the partial screens G21 to G63. In such a fourth display mode, when a failure occurs in a certain projector (for example, projector PJ62) among the projectors performing display, the partial screen G62 corresponding to the projector PJ62 is lost. Consider (see FIG. 13A).

  In this case, reconfiguration is possible by moving the display screen while maintaining the screen size. That is, the partial screens G61, G62, and G63 corresponding to the sixth-row projectors PJ61, PJ62, and PJ63 where the failed projector PJ62 exists are not used, and the projectors PJ11 to PJ53 in the first to fifth rows are not used. The display screen can be reconfigured using the corresponding partial screens G11 to G53. Display in the fourth display mode can be continued by reconfiguring the display screen like this (see FIG. 13B).

  When the display screen is reconfigured as shown in FIG. 13, the display screen after the reconfiguration is slightly shifted from the display screen on the screen SCR with respect to the display screen before the reconfiguration. The screen size of the screen does not change. Therefore, the display screen after the reconstruction can maintain the same display quality as the display screen before the reconstruction without changing the aspect ratio, the resolution, or the like.

  On the other hand, among the projectors that perform the display operation in the fourth display mode, as shown in FIG. 14A, when the projector PJ52 near the center of the display screen fails and the partial screen G52 is missing, the screen size is reduced. Reconfiguration is not possible by moving the display screen while maintaining Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14B, the display screen is reconfigured by changing the screen size.

  FIG. 14B shows partial screens G12, G13, G22, and G23 corresponding to projectors PJ12, PJ13, PJ22, PJ23, PJ32, PJ33, PJ42, and PJ43 from the bottom to the second stage in the first to fourth rows, respectively. , G32, G33, G42, and G43 are examples in which the display screen is reconfigured.

  Note that the display screen after reconfiguration shown in FIG. 14B is configured by a 4 × 2 partial screen, and the display screen before reconfiguration is configured by a 5 × 3 partial screen. The display screen after reconfiguration (display screen shown in FIG. 14B) has an aspect ratio as close as possible to the display screen before reconfiguration (display screen shown in FIG. 14A). The display screen after reconfiguration is a little longer than the display screen before reconfiguration.

  Here, in order to maintain the same aspect ratio, for example, it is conceivable to devise such a technique that a black image is displayed on the edge portion in the reconstructed display screen. Thereby, the aspect ratio of the image displayed in the display screen after the reconstruction can be maintained equal to the aspect ratio before the reconstruction. The process of displaying a black image is enabled by the function of the scan converter connected to each projector.

  By reconstructing the display screen as shown in FIG. 14, even if a failure occurs in a projector during display in the fourth display mode, the aspect ratio is substantially maintained and the display screen before reconfiguration is maintained. Since the maximum screen size can be displayed within the range not exceeding the screen size, the maximum resolution can be ensured and the display quality can be maintained to some extent.

  Even when the display screen is reconstructed as shown in FIG. 14, the image display control device CNT transmits a control signal to the corresponding projector or the corresponding scan converter, and each of the partial screens G12, G13, G22, Edge blending processing is performed to make the overlapping region formed between adjacent partial screens in G23, G32, G33, G42, and G43 inconspicuous. For these processing, the display screen is reconfigured in the first display mode. The description thereof is omitted here.

[Example of display screen reconstruction in the fifth display mode]
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the reconfiguration of the display screen in the display in the fifth display mode. The fifth display mode is a display mode in which display is performed using all the projectors (21 projectors in the embodiment of the present invention) PJ11 to PJ73 constituting the multi-display system, as described with reference to FIG. is there.

  As described above, since all the projectors PJ11 to PJ73 are used in the fifth display mode, when one of the projectors PJ11 to PJ73 fails, the display screen is moved while maintaining the screen size. It cannot be reconfigured. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15B, the display screen is reconfigured by changing the screen size. For example, as shown in FIG. 15A, considering the case where the projector PJ73 fails, as shown in FIG. 15B, the aspect ratio is maintained as much as possible to ensure the maximum screen size. Reconfigure the display screen.

  The reconstructed display screen shown in FIG. 15B is composed of a 5 × 2 partial screen, and the display screen before reconstruction is composed of a 7 × 3 partial screen. The subsequent display screen (display screen shown in FIG. 15B) has an aspect ratio as close as possible to the display screen before reconstruction (display screen shown in FIG. 15A). The display screen after composition is slightly longer than the display screen before reconstruction.

  Here, in order to maintain the same aspect ratio, as described above, for example, it may be considered to display a black image on the edge portion in the display screen after the reconstruction. Thereby, the aspect ratio of the image displayed in the display screen after the reconstruction can be maintained equal to the aspect ratio before the reconstruction.

  By reconstructing the display screen as shown in FIG. 15, even if a failure occurs in a projector during display in the fifth display mode, the aspect ratio is substantially maintained and the display screen before reconfiguration is maintained. Since the maximum screen size can be displayed within the range not exceeding the screen size, the maximum resolution can be ensured and the display quality can be maintained to some extent.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the image display control device CNT in the multi-display system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The processing procedure illustrated in FIG. 16 is, for example, a case where a failure has occurred in a projector that is displaying in a certain display mode among the first to fifth display modes illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 16, when a display abnormality is detected in a certain projector (step S1), priority is given to maintaining the screen size of the current display screen, or maintaining the display position (screen position) of the current display screen. It is determined whether to give priority (step S2). This may be set in advance for system operation. Here, when it is determined that the screen size is prioritized, a search for a display screen configuration that can maintain the screen size by moving the current display screen in units of rows and / or columns on the screen SCR is performed (step S3). . It is determined whether or not the display screen configuration searched in step S3 can be handled by moving the display screen before reconstruction in units of rows and / or columns (step S4), and can be handled by movement. Is determined, the display screen configuration after reconfiguration is determined (step S5). At this time, if there are a plurality of display screen configurations that can be accommodated by movement, one display screen configuration is selected from them, and the selected display screen configuration is determined as a display screen after reconfiguration.

  By the way, if it is determined in step S2 that priority is given to the screen position, the display screen configuration is set so as to maintain the current screen position and display screen size as much as possible (step S6). Note that the processing of step S6 is also performed when it is determined in step S4 that the movement cannot be handled.

  Then, in order to obtain the display screen configuration determined in step S5 or step S6, display screen reconstruction processing is executed (step S7). The display screen reconstruction processing performed in step S7 is performed by controlling the projector such as lighting control of the projector that is newly used for displaying the display screen after the reconstruction, and switching off the projector that is not used. For the converter, when reconstructing the display screen, control is performed to generate partial image data corresponding to the partial image to be displayed by each projector used to display the reconstructed display screen. The edge blending device 70 is controlled for edge blending processing of overlapping regions formed between adjacent partial screens of the partial screens corresponding to the projectors used for displaying the reconstructed display screen.

  As described above, according to the multi-display system according to the embodiment of the present invention, a certain partial screen constituting the display screen is lost due to a failure of a projector among a plurality of projectors used in the multi-display system. However, it is possible to maintain the display of the entire display screen without significantly impairing its effectiveness without continuing the display in a state where the partial screen remains missing. For example, when a lamp is burned out in a certain projector, viewer dissatisfaction can be alleviated by reconstructing the display screen as described above during a period in which the lamp is replaced.

  In addition, since the multi-display system according to the embodiment of the present invention does not need to prepare a spare projector or use a double-lamp type expensive projector, the multi-display system can be configured at low cost. it can.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the multi-display system according to the above-described embodiment, each partial screen is arranged so as to have an overlapping area between adjacent partial screens. However, as illustrated in FIG. Of course, the present invention can also be applied to a multi-display system in which each partial screen is arranged so that there is no overlapping area.

  Further, although the multi-display system according to the above-described embodiment is a rear projection type multi-display system, it can be applied to a front projection type multi-display system.

  Further, in the multi-display system according to the above-described embodiment, the lamp burnout has been described as an example of the projector display abnormality (failure). However, the display is not limited to the lamp burnout. There are various causes such as an unstable state, malfunctions in the power supply circuit and other control circuits, and in any case, the display screen can be regenerated as described in the previous embodiment by detecting it as a display abnormality. Configuration is possible.

  In the multi-display system according to the above-described embodiment, the multi-display system using the projector as the image display device has been described. However, the image display device is not limited to the projector, for example, a plurality of direct-view type flat panel display devices. In a multi-display system configured side by side, the same control can be performed when a display abnormality occurs in each display device constituting the display screen.

In the multi-display system according to the above-described embodiment, the edge blending process is performed by optical means using a light shielding plate. However, the edge blending process may be performed by conventional image processing. In that case, the image display control device CNT may transmit a control signal to the projector, and the projector may convert the image data based on the received control signal. Further, image processing and optical means may be used in combination.

  Further, in the multi-display system according to the above-described embodiment, a display screen with a maximum of 7 × 3 partial screens can be configured by arranging the partial screens in a matrix in 7 horizontal directions and 3 vertical directions. Although the example of the multi-display system has been described, the configuration of the display screen that constitutes the multi-display system is not limited to this. In the case where the partial screens are arranged in a matrix, the horizontal display screen is used in the above-described embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the partial screen may be arranged so as to be a vertical display screen. Good.

  Further, when the display screen is reconfigured in the horizontally long display screen as in the above-described embodiment, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the shift direction of the display screen is in the horizontal direction as illustrated in FIG. 6 will be described. However, depending on how the display screen is configured, such as a display screen in which many partial screens are also arranged in the column direction, the display screen may be moved vertically when reconfiguring the display screen. Also good.

  Further, when configuring each display mode (first to fifth display modes in the above-described embodiment) on a display screen in which 7 × 3 partial screens are arranged in a matrix, the partial screens constituting each display mode are displayed. Although an example of arranging in a matrix has been described, each of these display modes may have a configuration in which two or more partial screens are arranged in a horizontal row or a vertical row.

  Further, in the multi-display system according to the above-described embodiment, the display screen is configured by arranging the partial screens corresponding to the projector as the image display device in a matrix shape. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a multi-display system in which a display screen is configured by arranging a plurality of partial screens in one horizontal row or one vertical row. In this case, in order to make use of the feature of the present invention, a display screen is constituted by four or more partial screens corresponding to four or more image display devices, and at least two consecutive screens among the four or more partial screens are used. A multi-display system in which one display screen is configured by partial screens is preferable.

The figure explaining the structure of the multi-display system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining the delivery example of the image signal and control signal with respect to each projector PJ11-PJ73. The figure which shows the structure required in order to implement the reconfiguration | reconstruction of the display screen in the multi-display system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the partial screen corresponding to each projector PJ11-PJ73 on screen SCR shown in FIG. The figure which shows the example of the display mode which can be displayed in the multi-display system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure explaining the reconstruction (the 1) of the display screen in the display by 1st display mode. The figure which shows the structure of the edge blending apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the light-shielding plate 20 attached to edge blending pattern formation part P0-P4. The figure which shows the example which attached the light-shielding plate 20 shown to Fig.8 (a) to the edge blending pattern formation part P0. The figure explaining the edge blending process at the time of reconfiguring a display screen. The figure explaining the reconfiguration | reconstruction (the 2) of the display screen in the display by 1st display mode. The figure explaining the example of a reconstruction of the display screen in the display by a 2nd display mode. The figure explaining the reconfiguration | reconstruction (the 1) of the display screen in the display of 4th display mode. The figure explaining the reconfiguration | reconstruction (the 2) of the display screen in the display of 4th display mode. The figure explaining the reconstruction of the display screen in the display of 5th display mode. The flowchart explaining the process sequence of the image display control apparatus in the multi-display system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the partial screen corresponding to each projector on screen SCR when not having a superimposition area | region between adjacent partial screens. The figure explaining the example which is an example of the conventional multi-projection system, and displays an image by a time division.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Light-shielding plate, 70 ... Edge blending apparatus, CNT ... Image display control apparatus, PJ11-PJ73 ... Projector, G11-G73 ... Partial screen, SC11-SC73 ... Scan converter, SCR ... Screen, MSW ... Matrix switcher, EBP ... Edge blending pattern

Claims (11)

m (m is an integer greater than or equal to 3) image display devices, an image signal distribution device that distributes an image signal to each of the m image display devices, the m image display devices, and the image A multi-display system having an image display control device for controlling a signal distribution device and capable of configuring a display screen as a set of m partial screens corresponding to the m image display devices on a display surface. And
The image display control device includes:
A display screen as a set of n partial screens corresponding to n (n is an integer of 2 or more and n ≦ m) of the m image display devices is displayed on the display surface. A function of performing control for the image display device and the image signal distribution device;
When a display abnormality occurs in an image display device among the n image display devices in a state where a display screen as a set of the n partial screens is configured on the display surface, the display abnormality Control for reconstructing a display screen as a set of the n partial screens by a partial screen corresponding to a predetermined image display device excluding the generated image display device is performed on the image display device and the image signal distribution device. Functions to be performed on
A multi-display system comprising: The multi-display system according to claim 1.
The m partial screens are arranged in a matrix on the display surface. The multi-display system according to claim 1 or 2,
The image display control device includes:
When reconfiguring a display screen as a set of the n partial screens, whether or not reconfiguration is possible by moving the display screen on the display surface while maintaining the screen size of the display screen. If it is determined that it is possible, control is performed to reconfigure the display screen by moving the display screen on the display surface while maintaining the screen size of the display screen. Multi display system. The multi-display system according to claim 1 or 2,
The image display control device includes:
When reconfiguring a display screen as a set of the n partial screens, whether or not reconfiguration is possible by moving the display screen on the display surface while maintaining the screen size of the display screen. If it is determined that it is not possible, the screen size of the display screen is changed so as to be as close as possible to the screen size of the display screen as a set of the n partial screens. A multi-display system characterized by performing control for reconfiguring a display screen. The multi-display system according to claim 4.
The image display control device includes:
When performing control to reconfigure the display screen by changing the screen size of the display screen, the aspect ratio of the display screen after reconfiguration is the display screen as a set of the n partial screens before reconfiguration. A multi-display system that performs control to reconfigure the display screen so as to have an aspect ratio that is equal to or as close as possible to an aspect ratio. The multi-display system according to claim 4 or 5,
The image display control device includes:
When performing control to reconfigure the display screen by changing the screen size of the display screen, the position of the display screen after reconfiguration on the display surface is a set of the n partial screens before reconfiguration. A multi-display system that performs control to reconfigure the display screen so as to be as close as possible to a position on the display surface of the display screen. The multi-display system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
When the image display device is a projector, when a display screen as a set of partial screens corresponding to the projectors as the image display device is configured on the display surface, among the partial screens corresponding to the projectors A multi-display system, wherein each partial screen corresponding to each projector is arranged on the display screen so that an overlapping region is formed between adjacent partial screens. The multi-display system according to claim 7.
Providing an edge blending means that enables edge blending processing for each projector to make the brightness of the superimposed region appropriate;
The image display control device, when reconfiguring the display screen, sets an edge blending process corresponding to a superimposed region formed on the reconstructed display screen. m (m is an integer greater than or equal to 3) image display devices, an image signal distribution device that distributes an image signal to each of the m image display devices, the m image display devices, and the image An image in a multi-display system having an image display control device for controlling a signal distribution device, and capable of configuring a display screen as a set of m partial screens corresponding to the m image display devices on a display surface A display control method,
A display screen as a set of n partial screens corresponding to n (n is an integer of 2 or more and n ≦ m) of the m image display devices is displayed on the display surface. When a display abnormality occurs in an image display device among the n image display devices in the configured state, a partial screen corresponding to a predetermined image display device excluding the image display device in which the display abnormality has occurred The image display control method in the multi-display system, wherein control for reconstructing a display screen as a set of the n partial screens is performed on the image display device and the image signal distribution device. m (m is an integer greater than or equal to 3) image display devices, an image signal distribution device that distributes an image signal to each of the m image display devices, the m image display devices, and the image An image in a multi-display system having an image display control device for controlling a signal distribution device, and capable of configuring a display screen as a set of m partial screens corresponding to the m image display devices on a display surface A display control device,
A display screen as a set of n partial screens corresponding to n (n is an integer of 2 or more and n ≦ m) of the m image display devices is displayed on the display surface. A function of performing control for the image display device and the image signal distribution device;
When a display abnormality occurs in an image display device among the n image display devices in a state where a display screen as a set of the n partial screens is configured on the display surface, the display abnormality Control for reconstructing a display screen as a set of the n partial screens by a partial screen corresponding to a predetermined image display device excluding the generated image display device is performed on the image display device and the image signal distribution device. Functions to be performed on
An image display control device in a multi-display system, comprising: m (m is an integer greater than or equal to 3) image display devices, an image signal distribution device that distributes an image signal to each of the m image display devices, the m image display devices, and the image An image in a multi-display system having an image display control device for controlling a signal distribution device, and capable of configuring a display screen as a set of m partial screens corresponding to the m image display devices on a display surface A display control program,
In the image display control device,
A display screen as a set of n partial screens corresponding to n (n is an integer of 2 or more and n ≦ m) of the m image display devices is displayed on the display surface. When a display abnormality occurs in an image display device among the n image display devices in the configured state, a partial screen corresponding to a predetermined image display device excluding the image display device in which the display abnormality has occurred An image display control program in a multi-display system for executing control for reconstructing a display screen as a set of n partial screens.