Circuit arrangement and head-up display device

Abstract

This invention provides a circuit device and a head-up display device. The circuit device is used in the display device. The display device includes a display panel and a backlight having multiple light sources. The circuit device includes a distortion correction circuit, a fault information acquisition circuit, a position information acquisition circuit, and a host interface circuit. The distortion correction circuit performs distortion correction on the input image data and outputs distortion-corrected output image data. The fault information acquisition circuit acquires fault information of each light source. The position information acquisition circuit converts the panel-side light source position information of the faulty light source represented by the fault information on the display panel into input-side light source position information on the input image data. The host interface circuit outputs the input-side light source position information to the host.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to circuit devices and head-up display devices, etc. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a circuit arrangement including an image processing circuit and a comparison circuit. The image processing circuit performs a first mapping process to map an input first image into a second image for projection onto a projected object, and a second mapping process to convert the second image into a third image through a reverse mapping process of the first mapping process. The comparison circuit compares the first image and the third image, and outputs the comparison result as information for error detection of the second image. Furthermore, Patent Document 1 discloses that the error detection result is notified to an external device of the circuit arrangement, such as a SoC or CPU.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-149760

[0004] When the backlight of a display device malfunctions, the visibility of the displayed image may decrease. Therefore, there is a need to notify the host computer of backlight malfunctions. In Patent Document 1 mentioned above, image data errors are notified to the SoC or CPU, but no technique for notifying the host computer of backlight malfunctions is disclosed or implied. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One aspect of this disclosure relates to a circuit arrangement for a display device, the display device comprising a display panel and a backlight having a plurality of light sources, each of the plurality of light sources being disposed corresponding to a plurality of regions of the display panel, wherein the circuit arrangement comprises: a distortion correction circuit for performing distortion correction on input image data and outputting distortion-corrected output image data; a fault information acquisition circuit for acquiring fault information of each light source; a position information acquisition circuit for converting the panel-side light source position information of the faulty light source indicated by the fault information on the display panel into input-side light source position information on the input image data; and a host interface circuit for outputting the input-side light source position information to a host.

[0006] Furthermore, another aspect of this disclosure relates to a head-up display device, wherein the head-up display device includes: the circuitry described above; the display panel that displays an image based on the output image data; the backlight; and a projection optical system that projects the image displayed on the display panel. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a structural example of a head-up display device.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a detailed structural example of the display section.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a detailed structural example of a circuit device.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating fault information and the position information of the light source on the panel side.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the position information of the light source on the panel side and the light source on the input side.

[0012] Figure 6 This is an example of using the area illuminated by a light source in the display panel as the light source's position information.

[0013] Figure 7 This is an example of using the outer margin area on the input image data as light source position information.

[0014] Figure 8 This diagram illustrates the detection and processing of distortion correction errors.

[0015] Label Explanation

[0016] 10: Eyes; 20: Screen; 50: Head-up display; 52: Projection optical system; 100: Circuit device; 105: Input circuit; 110: Distortion correction circuit; 120: Inverse distortion correction circuit; 130: Output circuit; 140: Distortion correction error detection circuit; 150: Fault information acquisition circuit; 160: Position information acquisition circuit; 165: Storage circuit; 167: Conversion table; 170: Error handling circuit; 180: Light source control circuit; 191: Host interface circuit; 192: Light source interface circuit; 200: Processing device; 300: Display unit; 310: Processing device; 320: Light source driver; 330: Backlight; 332: Light source; 333: Area; 340: Display panel; IMA: Input image data; IMB: Output image data; IMC: Image data after inverse distortion correction; LE: Fault information. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The preferred embodiments of this disclosure are described in detail below. Furthermore, the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the technical solution described in this invention, and the structures described in these embodiments are not necessarily all necessary components.

[0018] 1. Display device

[0019] exist Figure 1Here, as an example of a display device including the circuit device 100 of this embodiment, a structural example of a head-up display device 50 is shown. The head-up display device 50 includes the circuit device 100, a display unit 300, and a projection optical system 52.

[0020] The processing device 200 sends image data to the circuitry 100 of the head-up display device 50. The processing device 200 is a so-called SoC, such as a CPU or a processor like a microcomputer. SoC is an abbreviation for System on Chip. CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit.

[0021] The circuit device 100 performs distortion correction on the image data received from the processing device 200 and sends the distortion-corrected image data to the display unit 300. Distortion correction refers to image correction that applies image distortion opposite to the image distortion when the image displayed on the display panel is projected, thereby achieving a distortion-free or reduced-distortion HUD display. HUD is an abbreviation for Head-Up Display. Image distortion caused by projection includes image distortion caused by the curvature of the screen 20, image distortion caused by the projection optical system 52, or both. The circuit device 100 is, for example, an integrated circuit device on a semiconductor substrate with multiple circuit elements integrated on it.

[0022] The display unit 300 includes a display panel and a backlight, displaying the distortion-corrected image data from the circuitry 100 on the display panel. The backlight emits light towards the display panel. The projection optical system 52 includes a reflector, etc. The reflector reflects the light transmitted through the display panel toward the screen 20, and the light reflected by the screen 20 enters the user's eyes 10. As a result, a virtual image corresponding to the image displayed on the display panel is projected into the user's field of vision. The screen 20 allows light from the actual space that serves as the background for the HUD display to pass through. As a result, the virtual image formed by the HUD can be seen overlapping with the actual space from the user's eyes 10. The screen 20 is, for example, the windshield of a moving body equipped with a head-up display device 50.

[0023] 2. Circuitry and display unit

[0024] Figure 2 This is a detailed structural example of the display unit 300. The display unit 300 includes a processing device 310, a light source driver 320, a backlight 330, and a display panel 340.

[0025] The processing unit 310 performs the conversion between the communication format used by the light source interface circuit 192 of the circuit device 100 and the communication format used by the light source driver 320. The processing unit 310 is, for example, a processor such as a CPU or a microcomputer. Alternatively, the processing unit 310 may be omitted, and the light source interface circuit 192 and the light source driver 320 may communicate directly.

[0026] The backlight 330 comprises multiple light sources arranged in a two-dimensional pattern when viewed from above. Each light source is, for example, a light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The backlight 330 is arranged overlapping the display panel 340 such that the side with the multiple light sources faces the display panel 340 when viewed from above. Thus, the emitted light from the multiple light sources arranged in a two-dimensional pattern is incident on the display panel 340. The two-dimensional arrangement of the light sources is, for example, a matrix arrangement, but is not limited to this; for example, it can also be an interleaved arrangement. An interleaved arrangement is, for example, arranging light sources in odd-numbered columns in odd-numbered rows and even-numbered columns in even-numbered rows.

[0027] The light source driver 320 drives each light source of the backlight 330 according to light source control data from the light source interface circuit 192. Furthermore, the light source driver 320 detects faults in each light source of the backlight 330 and sends the fault information to the light source interface circuit 192. The light source driver 320 includes a first driver DR1 to an nth driver DRn, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Each driver is, for example, constructed from an integrated circuit device.

[0028] Specifically, the first driver DR1 drives a portion of the multiple light sources in the backlight 330. The first driver DR1 independently turns each of its assigned light sources on or off. Furthermore, the first driver DR1 causes each of its assigned light sources to emit light at a quantity set by the circuit device 100. This light quantity can be set independently for each light source. The second drivers DR2 through the nth driver DRn operate similarly.

[0029] The first driver DR1 detects malfunctions in each of its assigned light sources. A light source malfunction refers to a state where the driver cannot control the light source's illumination, extinguishing, or light intensity. Examples of light source malfunctions include open circuits and short circuits in the light-emitting element. An open circuit in the light-emitting element occurs when the element is extinguished due to a broken wire or when the light intensity is too low, making it uncontrollable. The first driver DR1 detects open circuits, for example, by comparing the anode voltage of the light-emitting element with a threshold voltage for open circuit detection. A short circuit in the light-emitting element occurs when the element is illuminated due to a short circuit in the power supply or other components, or when the light intensity is too high, making it uncontrollable. The first driver DR1 detects short circuits, for example, by comparing the anode voltage of the light-emitting element with a threshold voltage for short circuit detection.

[0030] The first driver DR1 to the nth driver DRn are cascaded in a communication connection. Specifically, the first driver DR1 receives input data SDI, such as light source control data, from the processing device 310 and sends this input data SDI to the second driver DR2. This process is repeated until the nth driver DRn, at which point the input data SDI is transmitted to the first driver DR1 to the nth driver DRn. Furthermore, the first driver DR1 sends output data, such as light source fault information, to the second driver DR2. The second driver DR2 adds the data sent from the second driver DR2 to the data sent from the first driver DR1 and sends this data to the third driver DR3. This process is repeated until the nth driver DRn. The nth driver DRn sends output data SDO, containing the output data of the first driver DR1 to the nth driver DRn, to the processing device 310. Moreover, the communication connection method between the processing device 310 and the first driver DR1 to the nth driver DRn is not limited to the above method; various communication connection methods can be used.

[0031] Display panel 340 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel. The liquid crystal display panel can be either transmissive or reflective. Display unit 300 includes a display controller and a display driver (not shown). The display driver outputs a timing control signal for controlling display timing along with output image data IMB from output circuit 130 to the display driver. The display driver drives display panel 340 according to the output image data IMB and the timing control signal, causing display panel 340 to display an image based on the output image data IMB. Alternatively, the function of the display controller can also be built into circuit device 100.

[0032] Figure 3 This is a detailed structural example of the circuit device 100. The circuit device 100 includes an input circuit 105, a distortion correction circuit 110, an inverse distortion correction circuit 120, an output circuit 130, a distortion correction error detection circuit 140, a fault information acquisition circuit 150, a position information acquisition circuit 160, a storage circuit 165, an error handling circuit 170, a light source control circuit 180, a host interface circuit 191, and a light source interface circuit 192.

[0033] The input circuit 105 receives display input image data (IMA) from the processing device 200. The input circuit 105 can be a receiver circuit for various communication interfaces, such as LVDS, DVI, display port, GMSL, or GVIF. LVDS stands for Low Voltage Differential Signaling, DVI for Digital Visual Interface, GMSL for Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link, and GVIF for Gigabit Video Interface.

[0034] Distortion correction circuit 110 uses coordinate transformation between pixel coordinates in input image data IMA and pixel coordinates in output image data IMB to perform distortion correction on input image data IMA, and outputs the result as output image data IMB. Distortion correction circuit 110 is equivalent to a reverse warp engine or a forward warp engine. Reverse warp refers to the following warp process: converting the pixel coordinates on the output image data IMB to their corresponding reference coordinates, and calculating the pixel data of the output image data IMB based on the pixel data of the input image data IMA in the reference coordinates. Forward warp refers to the following warp process: converting the pixel coordinates on the input image data IMA to their corresponding destination coordinates, and calculating the pixel data of the output image data IMB in the destination coordinates based on the pixel data of the input image data IMA in the pixel coordinates. The coordinate transformations in reverse and forward warps are defined by warp parameters. The distortion parameters are tables that map the coordinates on the input image data IMA to the coordinates on the output image data IMB, tables that represent the amount of shift between the coordinates on the input image data IMA and the coordinates on the output image data IMB, or coefficients of polynomials that map the coordinates on the input image data IMA to the coordinates on the output image data IMB.

[0035] The output circuit 130 sends the output image data IMB to the display unit 300. The output circuit 130 can be a transmitting circuit of various communication interfaces, such as LVDS, DVI, display port, GMSL or GVIF, etc.

[0036] The light source interface circuit 192 communicates with the light source driver 320 via the processing device 310 of the display unit 300. The light source interface circuit 192 can be any communication interface used for communication between circuit devices, such as SPI or I2C. SPI is an abbreviation for Serial Peripheral Interface. I2C is an abbreviation for InterIntegrated Circuit. Furthermore, the light source interface circuit 192 and the host interface circuit 191 are not limited to being separate interface circuits; they can also be a single, shared interface circuit.

[0037] The light source control circuit 180 sends light source control data to the light source driver 320 via the light source interface circuit 192 and the processing device 310. The light source control data controls the lighting, extinguishing, or light intensity of each light source in the backlight 330. For example, the light source control circuit 180 can also perform local dimming control by dimming each light source based on the results of image analysis of the input image data IMA or the output image data IMB.

[0038] The fault information acquisition circuit 150 acquires fault information LE of each light source of the backlight 330 from the light source driver 320 via the processing device 310 and the light source interface circuit 192. The fault information includes information indicating the position of each light source in the backlight 330 and information indicating whether each light source is in a normal, open-circuit, or short-circuit state. The information indicating the position of each light source in the backlight 330 is not limited to information indicating the position itself, but may also include information such as an index that can identify which light source it is.

[0039] The position information acquisition circuit 160 acquires the input-side light source position information on the input image data IMA based on the fault information LE from the fault information acquisition circuit 150. The input-side light source position information indicates which position on the input image data IMA corresponds to the location of the faulty light source. Specifically, the position information acquisition circuit 160 refers to the conversion table 167 stored in the storage circuit 165 to convert the panel-side light source position information of the faulty light source on the display panel 340, as shown in the fault information, into input-side light source position information on the input image data IMA. The position information can be, for example, coordinates on the image corresponding to the light source, but is not limited to this; it can also be information about the region containing those coordinates. The region can be represented by coordinates such as the vertices of a rectangle, or by the coordinates of each pixel contained within the region.

[0040] The conversion table 167 can also be stored in the storage circuit 165 during the manufacture of the head-up display device 50, or written from the processing device 200 to the storage circuit 165 via the host interface circuit 191. The storage circuit 165 is a non-volatile memory such as EEPROM or OTP memory, or a volatile memory such as SRAM. EEPROM is an abbreviation for Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory. OTP is an abbreviation for One Time Programmable. SRAM is an abbreviation for Static Random Access Memory.

[0041] The inverse distortion correction circuit 120 generates inverse distortion corrected image data IMC by performing inverse distortion correction on the output image data IMB. Inverse distortion correction is the inverse correction of the distortion correction performed by the distortion correction circuit 110. The inverse distortion correction circuit 120 can be a reverse warp engine or a forward warp engine. In addition, the inverse distortion correction circuit 120 can use warp processing using tables or warp processing using polynomials.

[0042] The distortion correction error detection circuit 140 detects distortion correction errors by comparing the input image data IMA with the inverse distortion-corrected image data IMC. Distortion correction errors are processing errors that occur during image processing performed by the distortion correction circuit 110 or the inverse distortion correction circuit 120. The distortion correction error detection circuit 140 detects regions where the input image data IMA and the inverse distortion-corrected image data IMC are inconsistent, and outputs information identifying these regions as distortion correction error location information YE. For example, the distortion correction error detection circuit 140 detects regions with a consistency score below a specified value based on the SSD or SAD of the input image data IMA and the inverse distortion-corrected image data IMC. SSD is an abbreviation for Sum of Squared Difference. SAD is an abbreviation for Sum of Absolute Difference.

[0043] The host interface circuit 191 enables communication with the processing device 200, which is the host device 100. The host interface circuit 191 can be any communication interface used in communication between circuit devices, such as SPI or I2C. As described above, the light source interface circuit 192 and the host interface circuit 191 can also be a single interface circuit that is shared.

[0044] Error handling circuit 170 performs error processing based on the input-side light source position information and distortion correction error position information YE obtained by position information acquisition circuit 160 based on light source fault information LE. Specifically, the input-side light source position information and distortion correction error position information YE are stored in storage circuit 165 or a register (not shown). When a light source fault, distortion correction error, or both occur, error handling circuit 170 sends an interrupt signal to processing device 200 via host interface circuit 191. Upon receiving the interrupt signal, processing device 200 reads the input-side light source position information and distortion correction error position information YE from storage circuit 165 or a register (not shown) via host interface circuit 191.

[0045] The processing device 200 responds to errors based on the input-side light source position information and the distortion correction error position information YE. For example, it moves the display object in the area where a light source malfunction or distortion correction error has occurred to an area where no light source malfunction or distortion correction error has occurred, and outputs the moved input image data IMA to the circuit device 100. Alternatively, in the event of a light source malfunction or distortion correction error, the processing device 200 may also stop the output of the input image data IMA. Alternatively, in the event of a light source malfunction or distortion correction error, the error processing circuit 170 of the circuit device 100 may also stop the output of the output image data IMB from the output circuit 130.

[0046] Furthermore, the distortion correction circuit 110, the inverse distortion correction circuit 120, the distortion correction error detection circuit 140, the fault information acquisition circuit 150, the position information acquisition circuit 160, the error handling circuit 170, and the light source control circuit 180 are logic circuits. These circuits can be configured as separate logic circuits, or they can be integrated into a single logic circuit through automatic configuration wiring, etc. In addition, some or all of these circuits can be implemented by a processor such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). In this case, the program and instruction set describing the function of each circuit are stored in memory, and the processor implements the function of each circuit by executing the program and instruction set.

[0047] 3. Detailed examples of processing

[0048] The following is a detailed example of the processing performed by the circuit device 100. The following explanation will take the case of a matrix configuration of multiple light sources 332 in the backlight as an example.

[0049] Figure 4This diagram illustrates fault information and the position information of the light sources on the panel side. As shown in the left figure, the column number of the light source matrix is ​​set to i, and the row number to j. (i, j) represents the position of the light source on the backlight. i and j are integers greater than or equal to 1. Figure 4 The light source shown at (3, 2) is an example of a faulty light source. The fault information acquired by the fault information acquisition circuit 150 includes the location of the faulty light source (3, 2) and a flag indicating whether the faulty light source is in an open-circuit or short-circuit state. In addition, there can be more than two faulty light sources.

[0050] like Figure 4 As shown in the right figure, when viewed from above, the backlight is positioned overlapping the back of the display panel. The light source 332 illuminates area 333 on the display panel. The size of area 333 can be fixed or vary depending on the amount of light emitted by the light source 332. Figure 4 The right figure only shows one region 333, but there are regions corresponding to each light source 332.

[0051] Let (x, y) represent the pixel coordinates of the display panel. x is the coordinate in the horizontal scanning direction, and y is the coordinate in the vertical scanning direction. The horizontal scanning direction is parallel to the rows of the light source matrix. At this time, when viewed from above, the position (i, j) of the backlight corresponds to the pixel coordinates (x, y) on the display panel. Based on this correspondence, the position information acquisition circuit 160 converts the position (3, 2) of the faulty light source into panel-side light source position information. The panel-side light source position information may be, for example, the pixel coordinates corresponding to the center point of the light source, the pixel coordinates corresponding to the vertices of the rectangular area illuminated by the light source, or the coordinates of each pixel contained in the area illuminated by the light source.

[0052] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates the position information of the panel-side light source and the input-side light source. As shown in the left diagram, (u, v) represents the pixel coordinates on the input image data IMA. u is the coordinate in the horizontal scanning direction, and v is the coordinate in the vertical scanning direction. As shown in the right diagram, (x, y) represents the pixel coordinates on the output image data IMB. The distortion correction circuit 110 performs coordinate transformation between the coordinates (u, v) on the input image data IMA and the coordinates (x, y) on the output image data IMB, mapping the input image data IMA to the output image data IMB based on the result.

[0053] The position information acquisition circuit 160 converts the panel-side light source position information of the faulty light source into the input-side light source position information based on the correspondence between the coordinates (u, v) on the input image data IMA and the coordinates (x, y) on the output image data IMB during distortion correction. For example, based on the distortion parameters of distortion correction, a conversion table 167 representing the correspondence between (x, y) and (u, v) is pre-generated and stored in the storage circuit 165. The position information acquisition circuit 160 uses the conversion table 167 to map the coordinates (x, y) of the faulty light source on the display panel to the coordinates (u, v) on the input image data IMA.

[0054] Figure 5 This example illustrates how the center coordinates of a light source are used as the light source's position information. Specifically, the coordinates of the intersection point of a line passing through the center of the faulty light source and perpendicular to the display panel with the display panel are set as the center coordinates (x, y) of the faulty light source on the display panel. The position information acquisition circuit 160 converts the center coordinates (x, y) of the faulty light source on the display panel into coordinates (u, v) on the input image data IMA. These coordinates (u, v) become the input-side light source position information.

[0055] In this embodiment described above, the circuit device 100 is used in a display device. The display device includes a display panel 340 and a backlight 330 having multiple light sources. Each of the multiple light sources has a light source 332 corresponding to each of the multiple regions 333 of the display panel 340. The circuit device 100 includes a distortion correction circuit 110, a fault information acquisition circuit 150, a position information acquisition circuit 160, and a host interface circuit 191. The distortion correction circuit 110 performs distortion correction on the input image data IMA and outputs the distortion-corrected output image data IMB. The fault information acquisition circuit 150 acquires fault information LE for each light source 332. The position information acquisition circuit 160 converts the panel-side light source position information of the faulty light source indicated by the fault information LE on the display panel 340 into input-side light source position information on the input image data IMA. The host interface circuit 191 outputs the input-side light source position information to the host.

[0056] According to this embodiment, a malfunction of the backlight 330 can be notified to the host computer. When performing distortion correction, it is necessary to consider mapping and notify the host computer of the location information of the faulty light source on the input image data IMA. According to this embodiment, the panel-side light source location information of the faulty light source on the display panel 340 is converted into input-side light source location information on the input image data IMA. Therefore, the location information of the faulty light source, taking into account mapping during distortion correction, can be notified to the host computer, allowing the host computer to perform malfunction handling on the input image data IMA based on this location information.

[0057] In addition, Figure 1and Figure 3 In this example, the host corresponds to the processing device 200. In Figure 5 In the example, the input-side light source position information is the center coordinates of the faulty light source. However, as in... Figure 6 or Figure 7 As will be described later, the position information of the input-side light source is not limited to the center coordinates of the faulty light source.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the circuit device 100 includes a light source interface circuit 192. The light source interface circuit 192 performs interface processing with the light source driver 320 that drives multiple light sources. The fault information acquisition circuit 150 acquires fault information LE via the light source interface circuit 192.

[0059] According to this embodiment, the fault information acquisition circuit 150 can acquire fault information LE of each light source detected by the light source driver 320 via the light source interface circuit 192. Furthermore, the position information acquisition circuit 160 can acquire the input-side light source position information of the faulty light source based on the fault information LE.

[0060] In this embodiment, the position coordinates (x, y) of the faulty light source on the display panel 340 are input to the position information acquisition circuit 160 as the panel-side light source position information. The position information acquisition circuit 160 performs inverse distortion correction on the position coordinates (x, y) to obtain the input-side light source position information.

[0061] According to this embodiment, the position coordinates (x, y) of the faulty light source on the display panel 340 are converted into position coordinates (u, v) of the input image data IMA through inverse distortion correction. Therefore, the position coordinates (u, v) of the faulty light source on the input image data IMA are output to the host as input-side light source position information.

[0062] In addition, Figure 5 In the example, the position coordinates (x, y) of the faulty light source on the display panel 340 are the center coordinates of the faulty light source. However, the position coordinates are not necessarily the center coordinates of the faulty light source; for example, if the faulty light source is not faulty, they could also be the position coordinates of the point with the highest brightness in the brightness distribution on the display panel illuminated by that light source. Figure 3 In the example, inverse distortion correction for position coordinates corresponds to the coordinate transformation using transformation table 167. However, inverse distortion correction for position coordinates can be performed by converting the position coordinates (x, y) on the display panel 340 to the position coordinates (u, v) of the input image data IMA, and any coordinate transformation method can be used.

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the circuit device 100 includes a storage circuit 165. The storage circuit 165 stores a conversion table 167 that maps the position information of each light source 332 on the display panel 340 to the position information on the input image data IMA. The position information acquisition circuit 160 converts the panel-side light source position information into the input-side light source position information based on the conversion table 167.

[0064] According to this embodiment, the position information of each light source on the display panel is mapped to the position information on the input image data and stored in the storage circuit 165 in advance as a conversion table 167. Using the conversion table 167, the position information of the faulty light source on the display panel can be converted into the position information on the input image data.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the fault information acquisition circuit 150 acquires at least one of the open-circuit information and short-circuit information of the light-emitting element of each light source 332 as fault information.

[0066] According to this embodiment, along with the light source position information on the input side of the faulty light source, information indicating whether the fault of the faulty light source is an open circuit or a short circuit in the light-emitting element is sent to the host. Thus, the host can perform a response corresponding to the type of fault.

[0067] Figure 6 This illustrates an example where the area illuminated by a light source in the display panel is used as the light source position information. The position information acquisition circuit 160 uses the area on the display panel corresponding to the faulty light source as the panel-side light source position information. In the case of a rectangular area, for example, the coordinates corresponding to the four vertices of the rectangular area, or the coordinates of each pixel contained within the rectangular area, become the panel-side light source position information. The position information acquisition circuit 160 converts these coordinates on the display panel into coordinates on the input image data IMA, and then calculates the area on the input image data IMA corresponding to the area on the display panel. This area on the input image data IMA becomes the input-side light source position information.

[0068] In this embodiment described above, the coordinate information of the region corresponding to the faulty light source among multiple designated regions is input to the position information acquisition circuit 160 as the panel-side light source position information. The position information acquisition circuit 160 performs inverse distortion correction on the coordinate information to obtain the input-side light source position information.

[0069] According to this embodiment, the area on the display panel 340 corresponding to the faulty light source is converted into an area of ​​the input image data IMA through inverse distortion correction. Therefore, the coordinate information of the area on the input image data IMA corresponding to the faulty light source is output to the host as input-side light source position information.

[0070] In addition, Figure 6 In the example, the region corresponding to the faulty light source is a rectangular region. Furthermore, the coordinate information for this region is specified as the coordinates of the four vertices of the rectangular region, or the coordinates of each pixel contained within the rectangular region. However, the region corresponding to the faulty light source is not limited to a rectangular region. Figure 3 In the example, the inverse distortion correction of the coordinate information of the specified area corresponds to the coordinate transformation using transformation table 167. However, the inverse distortion correction of the coordinate information of the specified area can be performed as long as the position coordinates (x, y) on the display panel 340 can be converted to the position coordinates (u, v) of the input image data IMA, and any coordinate transformation method can be used.

[0071] Figure 7 This example illustrates using the outer margin region on the input image data IMA as light source position information. The position information acquisition circuit 160 converts the center coordinates (x, y) of the faulty light source on the display panel into coordinates (u, v) on the input image data IMA. The position information acquisition circuit 160 sets an outer margin region of a predetermined size centered on the calculated coordinates (u, v). This outer margin region becomes the input-side light source position information. When the outer margin region is rectangular, for example, the coordinates corresponding to the four vertices of the rectangular region, or the coordinates of each pixel contained within the rectangular region, become the input-side light source position information.

[0072] Figure 8 This diagram illustrates the detection and processing of distortion correction errors. As shown in the upper right section, image errors occur in a portion of the distortion-corrected output image data IMB. An image error refers to image data that differs from the output image data IMB after normal distortion correction. As shown in the lower left section, the inverse distortion correction circuit 120 performs inverse distortion correction on the output image data IMB to obtain the inversely distorted image data IMC. The distortion correction error detection circuit 140 detects image error regions by comparing the input image data IMA with the inversely distorted image data IMC. The image error region is mapped to the input side region through inverse distortion correction, thus detecting at the input side which region the image error occurred in. The image error region detected at this input side becomes the distortion correction error location information.

[0073] In this embodiment described above, the circuit device 100 includes an inverse distortion correction circuit 120 and a distortion correction error detection circuit 140. The inverse distortion correction circuit 120 converts the output image data IMB into inversely distorted image data IMC through inverse distortion correction. The distortion correction error detection circuit 140 detects distortion correction errors by comparing the input image data IMA with the inversely distorted image data IMC. The position information acquisition circuit 160 acquires distortion correction error position information on the input image data IMA; this distortion correction error position information is the position information where a distortion correction error was detected. The host interface circuit 191 outputs the distortion correction error position information and the input-side light source position information to the host.

[0074] According to this embodiment, when an image error occurs in the distortion-corrected output image data IMB, an image error region on the input image data IMA corresponding to the image error region on the output image data IMB can be detected. By sending distortion correction error location information representing the image error region to the host, the host can handle the distortion correction error. Furthermore, by sending the input-side light source location information of the faulty light source and the distortion correction error location information to the host, the host can perform appropriate responses corresponding to various faults or image error conditions.

[0075] The circuit arrangement described above in this embodiment is used in a display device. The display device includes a display panel and a backlight having multiple light sources. Each of the multiple light sources is disposed corresponding to a region of the multiple regions of the display panel. The circuit arrangement includes a distortion correction circuit, a fault information acquisition circuit, a position information acquisition circuit, and a host interface circuit. The distortion correction circuit performs distortion correction on the input image data and outputs distortion-corrected output image data. The fault information acquisition circuit acquires fault information for each light source. The position information acquisition circuit converts the panel-side light source position information of the faulty light source indicated by the fault information on the display panel into input-side light source position information on the input image data. The host interface circuit outputs the input-side light source position information to the host computer.

[0076] According to this embodiment, a backlight malfunction can be notified to the host computer. Furthermore, by converting the panel-side light source position information on the display panel of the faulty light source into input-side light source position information on the input image data, the position information of the faulty light source, taking into account the mapping in distortion correction, can be notified to the host computer. The host computer can then perform processing to address the light source malfunction on the input image data based on this position information.

[0077] Additionally, in this embodiment, the circuit device may also include a light source interface circuit, which performs interface processing with a light source driver that drives multiple light sources. A fault information acquisition circuit may also acquire fault information via the light source interface circuit.

[0078] According to this embodiment, the fault information acquisition circuit can acquire fault information of each light source detected by the light source driver via the light source interface circuit. Furthermore, the position information acquisition circuit can acquire the input-side light source position information of the faulty light source based on this fault information.

[0079] Alternatively, in this embodiment, the position information acquisition circuit can also use the position coordinates of the input faulty light source on the display panel as the panel-side light source position information, perform inverse distortion correction on the position coordinates, and obtain the input-side light source position information.

[0080] According to this embodiment, the position coordinates of the faulty light source on the display panel are converted into position coordinates of the input image data through inverse distortion correction. Therefore, the position coordinates of the faulty light source in the input image data are output to the host as input-side light source position information.

[0081] In addition, in this embodiment, the position information acquisition circuit can also use the coordinate information of the area corresponding to the faulty light source in one of the multiple input areas as the panel-side light source position information, perform inverse distortion correction on the coordinate information, and obtain the input-side light source position information.

[0082] According to this embodiment, by performing inverse distortion correction, the area on the display panel corresponding to the faulty light source is converted into the area of ​​the input image data. Therefore, the coordinate information of the area corresponding to the faulty light source on the specified input image data is output to the host as input-side light source position information.

[0083] Alternatively, in this embodiment, the circuit device may also include a storage circuit. The storage circuit may also store a conversion table that maps the position information of each light source on the display panel to the position information on the input image data. The position information acquisition circuit may also convert the panel-side light source position information into input-side light source position information based on the conversion table.

[0084] According to this embodiment, the position information of each light source on the display panel is mapped to the position information on the input image data and stored in the storage circuit as a conversion table in advance. Using this conversion table, the position information of the faulty light source on the display panel can be converted into the position information on the input image data.

[0085] In addition, in this embodiment, the fault information acquisition circuit can also acquire at least one of the open circuit information and short circuit information of the light-emitting element of each light source as fault information.

[0086] According to this embodiment, along with the light source position information on the input side of the faulty light source, information indicating whether the fault of the faulty light source is an open circuit or a short circuit in the light-emitting element is sent to the host. Thus, the host can perform a response corresponding to the type of fault.

[0087] In this embodiment, the circuit device may also include an inverse distortion correction circuit and a distortion correction error detection circuit. The inverse distortion correction circuit can also convert the output image data into inversely distorted image data through inverse distortion correction. The distortion correction error detection circuit can also detect distortion correction errors by comparing the input image data with the inversely distorted image data. The position information acquisition circuit can also acquire distortion correction error position information on the input image data, which is the position information of the detected distortion correction error. The host interface circuit can also output the distortion correction error position information and the input-side light source position information to the host.

[0088] According to this embodiment, when an image error occurs in the output image data after distortion correction, it is possible to detect the image error region on the input image data corresponding to the image error region on the output image data. By sending the input-side light source position information of the faulty light source and the distortion correction error position information to the host, the host can perform appropriate responses corresponding to various faults or image error conditions.

[0089] Furthermore, the head-up display device of this embodiment includes: the circuit device described in any one of the above; a display panel that displays an image based on output image data; a backlight; and a projection optical system that projects the image displayed on the display panel.

[0090] Furthermore, although this embodiment has been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily understand that various modifications can be made without substantially departing from the novel aspects and effects of this disclosure. Therefore, all such modifications are included within the scope of this disclosure. For example, in the specification or drawings, any term that is described at least once with a different term that is more general or synonymous can be replaced with that different term anywhere in the specification or drawings. Furthermore, all combinations of this embodiment and its modifications are also included within the scope of this disclosure. Additionally, the structure and operation of the circuit device, display unit, processing device, display apparatus, and head-up display device are not limited to those described in this embodiment, and various modifications can be implemented.

Claims

1. A circuit device for communicating with a host computer as an external device for a head-up display device, the head-up display device comprising a display panel and a backlight having a plurality of light sources, each of the plurality of light sources being disposed corresponding to a region of a plurality of regions of the display panel, the circuit device being characterized in that it comprises: The distortion correction circuit performs distortion correction on the input image data input from the host and outputs the distortion-corrected output image data. The fault information acquisition circuit acquires the fault information of each of the light sources; A position information acquisition circuit, which takes the position coordinates of the faulty light source on the display panel, represented by the input fault information, as the panel-side light source position information, performs inverse distortion correction on the position coordinates to obtain the input-side light source position information; and The host uses an interface circuit that outputs the input-side light source position information to the host, so that the host can process the input image data in response to the fault information based on the input-side light source position information.

2. The circuit device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circuit device includes a storage circuit that stores a conversion table that maps the position information of each light source on the display panel to the position information on the input image data. The position information acquisition circuit converts the panel-side light source position information into the input-side light source position information based on the conversion table.

3. A circuit device for communicating with a host computer as an external device for a head-up display device, the head-up display device comprising a display panel and a backlight having a plurality of light sources, each of the plurality of light sources being disposed corresponding to a region of a plurality of regions of the display panel, the circuit device being characterized in that it comprises: The distortion correction circuit performs distortion correction on the input image data input from the host and outputs the distortion-corrected output image data. The fault information acquisition circuit acquires the fault information of each of the light sources; The position information acquisition circuit is input with the coordinate information of the region corresponding to the fault light source represented by the fault information in the specified plurality of regions as panel-side light source position information, and performs inverse distortion correction on the coordinate information to obtain the input-side light source position information. as well as The host uses an interface circuit that outputs the input-side light source position information to the host, so that the host can process the input image data in response to the fault information based on the input-side light source position information.

4. The circuit device according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that, The circuit device includes an interface circuit for a light source, which performs interface processing with a light source driver that drives the plurality of light sources. The fault information acquisition circuit obtains the fault information via the interface circuit for the light source.

5. The circuit device according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that, The fault information acquisition circuit acquires at least one of the open-circuit information and short-circuit information of the light-emitting elements of each light source as the fault information.

6. The circuit device according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that, The circuit device includes: An inverse distortion correction circuit, which converts the output image data into inversely distorted image data through inverse distortion correction; and The distortion correction error detection circuit detects distortion correction errors by comparing the input image data with the inverse distortion corrected image data. The location information acquisition circuit acquires distortion correction error location information from the input image data. This distortion correction error location information is the location information where the distortion correction error was detected. The host uses an interface circuit to output the distortion correction error location information and the input-side light source location information to the host.

7. A head-up display device, characterized in that, The head-up display device includes: The circuit device according to any one of claims 1 to 6; The display panel displays an image based on the output image data; The backlight; as well as A projection optical system that projects the image displayed on the display panel.

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