Display device

Abstract

The present application provides a work plan making device and a work plan making method. A display device includes a display order determining section, a display section, and an image rewriting section. The display order determining section determines a display order of a plurality of images. The display section changes and displays the plurality of images in the display order determined by the display order determining section in turn. The image rewriting section changes the image displayed on the display section to an image of a next display order by rewriting at least a part of the image displayed on the display section when the image displayed on the display section is changed to the image of the next display order. The display order determining section determines the display order based on a rewriting cost required by the image rewriting section when the plurality of images are changed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a display device for displaying a screen. The display device of Patent Document 1 changes the displayed image to another image by rewriting at least a portion of the screen displaying the image. This display device, for example, reduces the time required to change the display by rewriting only the areas where the images before and after the change are different.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-047759 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical problems to be solved by the present invention

[0007] However, the display device of Patent Document 1 does not consider the rewriting cost when rewriting the screen. Here, rewriting cost is an indicator that is positively correlated with the amount of power required to rewrite the screen on the display device. Specifically, the display device of Patent Document 1 considers the power required to change the image but does not make changes to the display. Therefore, when displaying multiple images sequentially, there is a problem in that the power required to display all images increases depending on the order in which the images are displayed.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a display device that displays a plurality of images sequentially and can suppress the amount of power required to display all the images.

[0009] Technical solutions to technical problems

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, a display device includes a display order determination unit, a display unit, and an image rewriting unit. The display order determination unit determines the display order of a plurality of images. The display unit sequentially changes and displays the plurality of images in the display order determined by the display order determination unit. When changing an image displayed on the display unit to an image next in display order, the image rewriting unit rewrites at least a portion of the image displayed on the display unit, thereby changing the image displayed on the display unit to an image next in display order. The display order determination unit determines the display order based on a rewriting cost required by the image rewriting unit when changing the plurality of images.

[0011] Beneficial effects

[0012] According to the present invention, a display device can be provided that can suppress the power required to display all images to a low level by determining the display order of a plurality of images based on the rewriting cost when changing the displayed image. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 This is a diagram schematically showing a display device according to Embodiment 1.

[0014] Figure 2 1 and 2 are diagrams showing an example in which images before and after a change are not similar.

[0015] Figure 3 1 and 2 are diagrams showing examples in which images before and after a change are similar.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the processing of the display device according to the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a diagram schematically showing a display device according to Embodiment 2.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing the processing of the display device according to the second embodiment.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a diagram schematically showing a display device according to Embodiment 3.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a flowchart showing the processing of the display device according to the third embodiment.

[0021] Figure 9 This is a diagram schematically showing a display device according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated.

[0023] [Implementation Method 1]

[0024] Reference Figures 1 to 3 A display device 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 This is a plan view schematically showing the display device 100 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 1 and 2 are diagrams showing an example in which images before and after a change are not similar. Figure 3 1 and 2 are diagrams showing examples in which images before and after a change are similar.

[0025] like Figure 1As shown, the display device 100 includes a display device 1 and a server device 2. The display device 1 displays an image based on image data, etc. The server device 2 wirelessly transmits image data, etc. to the display device 1.

[0026] A display device 1 is installed, for example, in a busy street, and is used to display images such as advertisements in a size of approximately 10 to 30 inches. Such a display device 1 often displays multiple images. Therefore, the display device 1 displays multiple images in a predetermined display order. In order to change the displayed image to another image, the display device 1 requires power. On the other hand, it is often difficult to secure a power source to supply power to the display device 1 in a busy street. Therefore, if the power consumption of the display device 1 can be kept low, the display device 1 can display multiple images continuously for a long period of time.

[0027] The display device 1 includes a display unit 11, an image rewriting unit 12, a receiving unit 13, a display-side storage unit 14, a display-side control unit 15, and a power supply unit 16. The display unit 11 displays an image. The image rewriting unit 12 rewrites at least a portion of the image displayed on the display unit 11. The receiving unit 13 receives information such as image data from the server device 2. The display-side storage unit 14 stores information such as image data received from the server device 2. The display-side control unit 15 refers to the image data stored in the display-side storage unit 14. The display-side control unit 15 controls the image rewriting unit 12 so that the display unit 11 displays an image corresponding to the image data stored in the display-side storage unit 14. The power supply unit 16 supplies power to the image rewriting unit 12, the receiving unit 13, the display-side storage unit 14, and the display-side control unit 15.

[0028] The power supply unit 16 is, for example, a battery or a solar panel, etc. The display device 100 including such a power supply unit 16 has the advantage of being usable for a certain period of time even in a location where a power source capable of continuously supplying power cannot be ensured.

[0029] The display unit 11 changes and displays a plurality of images in sequence. Figure 1 , image A is shown as an example of an image displayed by the display unit 11. The display unit 11 maintains the state of displaying the image for a certain period of time without consuming power.

[0030] The image rewriting unit 12 rewrites at least a portion of the image displayed on the display unit 11 by consuming electric power. As a result, the image displayed on the display unit 11 is changed to another image. In the display unit 11, the area of ​​the portion that the image rewriting unit 12 can rewrite has a positive correlation with the amount of electric power consumed by the image rewriting unit 12. That is, the larger the area of ​​the portion that needs to be rewritten when changing the image displayed on the display unit 11 to another image, the more electric power the image rewriting unit 12 consumes. Therefore, compared with a case where the images before and after the change are similar, in a case where the images before and after the change are similar, the image area or the number of pixels when the image of the display unit 11 is rewritten is smaller, and therefore, the amount of electric power consumed by the image rewriting unit 12 becomes smaller.

[0031] For details on the differences between examples where the images before and after the change are dissimilar and examples where the images before and after the change are similar, see Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 First, Figure 2 This shows an example where the images before and after the change are not similar.

[0032] exist Figure 2 In , the image before the change is set as image A, and the image after the change is set as image B. Here, image B is not similar to image A. Figure 2 In FIG, the different parts of image A and image B are surrounded by a square frame and shown as difference AB.

[0033] On the other hand, an example of similar images before and after the change is shown in Figure 3 In. Figure 3 In , the image before the change is image A, and the image after the change is image C. Here, image C is similar to image A. Figure 3 In FIG, the difference between images A and C is enclosed by square frames and shown as difference AC. Since images A and C are similar, difference AC is a portion enclosed by multiple square frames, and the area of ​​each square frame included in difference AC is smaller than the area of ​​the square frame of difference AB.

[0034] Comparing difference AB and difference AC, the area of ​​the square frame of difference AB is larger than the total area of ​​all the square frames included in difference AC. Therefore, even though image C is displayed after image A, the area of ​​the portion undergoing image rewriting is smaller than when image B is displayed after image A, and the power consumed by image rewriting unit 12 is also lower.

[0035] in addition, Figure 1 In the display unit 11 shown, the number of pixels in the area being rewritten by the image rewriting unit 12 also has a positive correlation with the amount of power consumed by the image rewriting unit 12. Here, a pixel refers to the smallest unit that constitutes an image. The more pixels the image rewriting unit 12 rewrites, the more power it consumes.

[0036] Because the display on the display unit 11 is altered by the image rewriting unit 12, the display unit 11 and the image rewriting unit 12 are often integrated. Examples of integrated structures for the display unit 11 and the image rewriting unit 12 include electrophoretic electronic paper. Hereinafter, electrophoretic electronic paper will be referred to simply as "electronic paper."

[0037] Electronic paper includes a screen that displays an image and electrodes arranged along the screen. The screen and electrodes correspond to the display unit 11 and the image rewriting unit 12, respectively. When the electrodes generate an electric field on the screen, the portion of the image displayed on the screen where the electric field is generated is rewritten, changing the image. Furthermore, after the electrodes no longer generate the electric field, the screen does not consume power and continues to display the changed image for a certain period of time.

[0038] Unlike LCD panels, e-paper displays like these can display multiple images using minimal power. This makes them suitable for use in places like streets where power is scarce. Furthermore, while e-paper displays are primarily black and white, the use of RGB color films allows for the display of colors other than black and white, enabling the display of impressive, colorful advertisements.

[0039] As described above, the receiving unit 13 receives information such as image data from the server device 2. The information received by the receiving unit 13 includes, in addition to the image data, information about the order in which the images are to be displayed. The receiving unit 13 is a wireless communication device, for example, including a network interface controller (NIC) that communicates according to a prescribed communication protocol. An example of the prescribed communication protocol is the TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) protocol suite (i.e., the Internet Protocol Suite).

[0040] The display-side storage unit 14 includes a storage device that stores information such as image data received by the receiving unit 13, as well as computer programs. Specifically, the display-side storage unit 14 includes a main storage device such as a semiconductor memory and an auxiliary storage device such as a semiconductor memory, a solid-state drive, or a hard disk drive. The display-side storage unit 14 may also include removable media.

[0041] The display-side control unit 15 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor of the display-side control unit 15 executes a computer program stored in the storage device of the display-side storage unit 14 to control the image rewriting unit 12 and the display-side storage unit 14.

[0042] After receiving the image data from receiving unit 13, display-side control unit 15 controls image rewriting unit 12 so that the image displayed on display unit 11 corresponds to the image data received by receiving unit 13. As described above, image rewriting unit 12 can change the display on display unit 11 by rewriting at least a portion of the display on display unit 11. Therefore, when changing the display on display unit 11, image rewriting unit 12 does not require all image data related to the changed image. If the changed image data contains data that differs from the data before and after the change, the display on display unit 11 can be changed to the desired changed image. Therefore, display-side control unit 15 controls image rewriting unit 12 based on the image data that differs from the data before and after the change in the changed image data.

[0043] Specifically, when Figure 1 When the image A is displayed on the display unit 11, if the image rewriting unit 12 rewrites the image A corresponding to the difference AC (refer to Figure 3 ) portion of display unit 11, image C is displayed on display unit 11. Therefore, display-side control unit 15 controls image rewriting unit 12 so that only the different portions of the display on display unit 11 are rewritten before and after the change. As a result, compared to rewriting the entire display unit 11, the power consumed by image rewriting unit 12 can be kept low. After the image is changed, receiving unit 13 sequentially changes the display on display unit 11 at the time of receiving new image data.

[0044] In the above description, the display device 1 is capable of receiving all image data displayed on the display unit 11, including the display periods of the images corresponding to the image data, and the display order of the images corresponding to the image data, provided that the storage capacity of the display-side storage unit 14 is sufficiently large. In this case, for example, the receiving unit 13 receives all the image display data. The display-side storage unit 14 stores all the image display data received by the receiving unit 13. The display-side control unit 15 refers to all the image data stored in the display-side storage unit 14 and controls the image rewriting unit 12 to cause the display unit 11 to display the image corresponding to the image data with the first display order. The display-side control unit 15 controls the image rewriting unit 12 so that, after the display period of the image data with the first display order has elapsed, the image corresponding to the image data with the second display order has elapsed. The display-side control unit 15 controls the image rewriting unit 12 so that, for the image data with the second and subsequent display orders, after the display periods have elapsed, an image with a display order lower than the image displayed on the display unit 11 is displayed.

[0045] Server device 2 is, for example, a computer located in a room in a house, remote from display device 1, and wirelessly transmits information such as image data to display device 1. This provides the advantage of enabling users to select images displayed on display device 1 from a location remote from display device 1. Furthermore, unlike on the street, securing a power source is easier in a room indoors, allowing server device 2 to perform computations that consume significant amounts of power. Here, computation refers to calculations typically performed by a computer, including generating an image display order, calculating rewrite costs, temporarily storing these, and comparing rewrite costs.

[0046] The server device 2 includes an input unit 21, a server-side storage unit 22, a transmission unit 24, and a server-side control unit 23. Data such as images to be displayed on the display unit 11 of the display device 1 is input by a user of the display device 100. The server-side control unit 23 controls the server-side storage unit 22 and the transmission unit 24 so that the image data input to the input unit 21 is transmitted to the display device 1.

[0047] The input unit 21 is, for example, an input device such as a mouse or a keyboard attached to an information communication terminal.

[0048] The server-side storage unit 22 includes a storage device that stores information such as image data input to the input unit 21 and computer programs. Figure 1 The server-side storage unit 22 stores image data for images A, B, C, D, E, and F. The server-side storage unit 22 includes a primary storage device such as a semiconductor memory and a secondary storage device such as a semiconductor memory, a solid-state drive, and / or a hard disk drive. The server-side storage unit 22 may also include removable media.

[0049] The server-side control unit 23 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor of the server-side control unit 23 executes a computer program stored in the storage device of the server-side storage unit 22 to determine the display order of the multiple images stored in the server-side storage unit 22. Furthermore, the server-side control unit 23 controls the server-side storage unit 22 and the transmission unit 24. The server-side control unit 23 is an example of the "display order determination unit" of the present invention.

[0050] To determine the display order of multiple images, the server-side control unit 23 creates a display order for the images to be displayed on the display unit 11. The server-side control unit 23 calculates the rewriting cost for the generated display order of the images. The rewriting cost is an indicator that is positively correlated with the amount of power required to rewrite the images displayed on the display unit 11 and is calculated based on two adjacent image data items in the display order.

[0051] The server-side control unit 23 determines the display order of the multiple images based on the rewriting cost required by the image rewriting unit 12 when changing the multiple images. Therefore, the server-side control unit 23 can determine the display order of the images displayed on the display unit 11 so that the power consumption of the image rewriting unit 12 to display all the images is suppressed to a low level.

[0052] For example, the rewrite cost is the area or number of pixels of the image rewritten by the image rewrite unit 12. Specifically, the rewrite cost is the area or number of pixels that differ between two images that are displayed adjacently. Therefore, the lower the rewrite cost, the smaller the area or number of pixels that differ between two images that are displayed adjacently. As a result, by determining the display order of images in a manner that minimizes the rewrite cost, the server-side control unit 23 can minimize the power consumption of the image rewrite unit 12.

[0053] Another example of the rewriting cost is the power consumed by the image rewriting unit 12. With such a rewriting cost, the server-side control unit 23 can determine the display order of images so as to suppress the power consumed by the image rewriting unit 12.

[0054] The server-side control unit 23 generates a plurality of display sequence patterns P, selects the display sequence pattern P with the smallest total rewrite cost from the plurality of display sequence patterns P as the display order, and thereby determines the display order of the images. Specifically, the server-side control unit 23 calculates the rewrite costs of all images that are adjacent in display order in each of the plurality of display sequence patterns P generated, and calculates the sum of the calculated rewrite costs. The server-side control unit 23 selects the display sequence pattern P with the smallest total rewrite cost from the generated display sequence patterns P, and determines it as the display order of the images. As a result, the amount of power consumed by the image rewriting unit 12 that rewrites the display of the display unit 11 according to the display order of the images determined by the server-side control unit 23 is the smallest among the display sequence patterns P of all images generated by the server-side control unit 23.

[0055] The server-side control unit 23 generates all display order patterns P assuming the order in which multiple images are displayed on the display unit 11. Therefore, the server-side control unit 23 can select a display order with the lowest rewriting cost from among all display order patterns P assuming the order in which multiple images are displayed.

[0056] Specifically, in Figure 1 In the example, the server-side storage unit 22 stores six image data items, namely, image A to image F. The total number of display order patterns P assumed when randomly arranging the six images, namely, image A to image F, is 720. The server-side control unit 23 generates all 720 display order patterns P.

[0057] The display order pattern P generated by the server-side control unit 23 includes, for example, a display order pattern PA and a display order pattern PB. When the display order pattern PA is compared with the display order pattern PB, the difference between two adjacent images in the entire image data included in the display order pattern PB is smaller than that in the display order pattern PA. In other words, the total rewrite cost of the display order pattern PB is less than the total rewrite cost of the display order pattern PA.

[0058] The server-side control unit 23 compares the sum of the rewrite costs for each of the 718 display order patterns P, other than the display order pattern PA and the display order pattern PB, with the sum of the rewrite costs for the display order pattern PB. If the server-side control unit 23 determines that the rewrite cost for the display order pattern PB is the lowest among all 720 display order patterns P, it selects the display order pattern PB and determines the display order of the images to be displayed on the display unit 11. As a result, the power consumed by the image rewrite unit 12, which rewrites the display on the display unit 11 according to the display order of the images determined by the server-side control unit 23, is the lowest among all the assumed display order patterns P.

[0059] Furthermore, the server-side control unit 23 can also generate a display order pattern that represents a portion of all display order patterns P, which are assumed to represent the order in which multiple images are displayed on the display unit 11. Specifically, when displaying six images, there are 720 display order patterns P. The server-side control unit 23 generates display order patterns P, for example, with 10 being the upper limit of the 720 display order patterns P. As a result, the amount of calculation required by the server-side control unit 23 is reduced, and the time required for the server-side control unit 23 to determine the display order can be kept low.

[0060] As described above, the server-side control unit 23 selects either the assumed entire display order pattern P or the assumed partial display order pattern P. This selection is determined, for example, based on the number of images displayed on the display unit 11. Specifically, when the number of images displayed on the display unit 11 is greater than or equal to a threshold, the partial display order pattern P is generated. On the other hand, when the number of images displayed on the display unit 11 is less than the threshold, the entire display order pattern P is generated. The threshold for the number of images displayed on the display unit 11 is determined based on the processing capacity of the server-side control unit 23, such as the processing speed.

[0061] The server-side control section 23 controls the transmission section 24 so that the image data is transmitted to the display device 1 at the timing when the display section 11 of the display device 1 displays each image in the decided display order. Here, as described above, it is sufficient for the display of the display section 11 to change only the image data of the portion that is different before and after the change, if the image data has a portion that is different before and after the change. Therefore, the server-side control section 23 controls the transmission section 24 so that only the image data of the portion that is different before and after the change is transmitted in the changed image data. Further, the display order of the images is decided based on the rewrite cost. Therefore, if the display order is suppressed to be lower in the rewrite cost, the portion that is different before and after the change of the image is also suppressed to be smaller. As a result, it is possible to suppress the capacity of the image data transmitted by the transmission section 24 to be lower.

[0062] The transmission section 24 transmits the image data of the portion that is different before and after the change to the display device 1 in the changed image data. The display device 1 displays the changed image at the timing when the image data is received from the transmission section 24. In addition, since the transmission section 24 is the same communication machine as the reception section 13, a specific description is omitted.

[0063] In addition, the above describes that the server device 2 transmits the image data corresponding to the image displayed on the display device 1 to the display device 1 at the timing when the image is displayed on the display device 1. However, if the storage capacity of the display-side storage section 14 of the display device 1 is sufficient to store all the image display data, the server-side control section 23 can control the transmission section 24 differently.

[0064] As an example when the storage capacity of the display-side storage section 14 is sufficient, the server-side control section 23 can control the transmission section 24 so that the above-described all image display data is transmitted. Thereby, the display device 1 that receives the all image display stores the all image display data in the display-side storage section 14. The all image display data includes the image data, the display period of the image data, and the information of the display order of the image data. Therefore, the display-side control section 15 can control the image rewrite section 12 so that all the images displayed on the display section 11 are displayed on the display section 11 based on the all image display data stored in the display-side storage section 14. By the control of the server-side control section 23, the image rewrite section 12 sequentially rewrites the display of the display section 11, and thereby, sequentially changes the display of the display section 11. As a result, the server device 2 does not need to transmit the image data and the like to the display device 1 each time the display of the display section 11 is changed, and the number of times of transmitting information from the server device 2 to the display device 1 is reduced. Therefore, even in a place of the environment where the communication between the server device 2 and the display device 1 is cut off, it is possible to use the display device 100 without any obstacle.

[0065] As another example, when the display-side storage unit 14 has sufficient storage capacity, the display-side storage unit 14 may pre-store all image data corresponding to the images displayed on the display unit 11, minus information on the display order of these image data. In this example, the server-side control unit 23 controls the transmission unit 24 to transmit only the information on the display order of the images. Based on the information on the display order of the images received by the reception unit 13, the display-side control unit 15 controls the image rewriting unit 12 to display the images corresponding to the image data stored in the display-side storage unit 14. The image rewriting unit 12 sequentially rewrites the display on the display unit 11 based on the received display order. Thus, the display on the display unit 11 is sequentially changed. As a result, the information transmitted from the server device 2 to the display device 1 only needs to be the display order of the images, and the amount of information transmitted is reduced compared to the case of transmitting image data. As a result, the display device 100 can be used smoothly even in a communication environment where large amounts of information cannot be transmitted.

[0066] Next, refer to Figure 1 Figure 4 A display device 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the display device 100 according to Embodiment 1. The process of the display device 100 includes steps S1 to S12.

[0067] In step S1 , the server-side control unit 23 determines whether the number of images stored in the server-side storage unit 22 is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

[0068] Next, when an affirmative determination (YES) is made in step S1 , the process proceeds to step S2 .

[0069] Next, in step S2 , the server-side control unit 23 generates a partial display order pattern P among all the display order patterns P for the plurality of images stored in the server-side storage unit 22 . Then, the process proceeds to step S3 .

[0070] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1 is negative (No), the process proceeds to step S9. Next, in step S9, the server-side control unit 23 generates all display order patterns P for the plurality of images stored in the server-side storage unit 22. Next, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0071] Next, in step S3 , the server-side control unit 23 calculates the total sum of the rewriting costs for each of the created display order patterns P.

[0072] Next, in step S4, the server-side control unit 23 selects the display order pattern P with the lowest total rewrite cost from the created display order patterns P, and determines the display order of the images. Furthermore, the server-side control unit 23 does not necessarily need to select the display order pattern P with the lowest rewrite cost; it may also refer to various conditions and select a display order pattern P with a rewrite cost that matches those conditions. In this way, the server-side control unit 23 can flexibly select a display order pattern P in accordance with the referenced conditions. For example, the server-side control unit 23 can refer to the server-side storage unit 22 by pre-entering the input unit 21 by the user and storing it in the server-side storage unit 22.

[0073] Next, in step S5, the server-side control unit 23 determines a display period for each of the plurality of images. The image display period is determined by the server-side control unit 23 according to a computer program executed by the server-side control unit 23, for example.

[0074] Next, in step S6, the server-side control unit 23 determines whether the display-side storage unit 14 is able to store all the image display data. The determination of whether the display-side storage unit 14 is able to store the image data can be performed in various ways. For example, information indicating that the display-side storage unit 14 is able to store all the image display data can be pre-stored, and the server-side control unit 23 can refer to this information to make the determination. If the determination in step S6 is negative (No), that is, if the server-side control unit 23 determines that the display-side storage unit 14 is unable to store all the image display data, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0075] Next, in step S7, the server-side control unit 23 transmits the image data in the determined display order. Here, when a predetermined display period has elapsed for the transmitted image data, the server-side control unit 23 transmits the image data with a lower display order.

[0076] Next, in step S8, when the receiving unit 13 receives the image data sequentially transmitted from the transmitting unit 24 of the server device 2, the display-side control unit 15 controls the image rewriting unit 12 to display an image corresponding to the received image data. The image rewriting unit 12 rewrites at least a portion of the display on the display unit 11, changing the image displayed on the display unit 11 to the image corresponding to the image data received by the receiving unit 13. The process then ends when all images to be displayed on the display unit 11 are displayed.

[0077] When an affirmative determination (YES) is made in step S6 , that is, when the server-side control unit 23 determines that the display-side storage unit 14 can store all the image display data, the process proceeds to step S10 .

[0078] In step S10 , the server-side control unit 23 controls the transmission unit 24 to transmit all image display data to the display device 1 .

[0079] Next, in step S11 , the display-side control unit 15 controls the display-side storage unit 14 to store all the image display data received by the reception unit 13 . The display-side storage unit 14 stores all the image display data received by the reception unit 13 .

[0080] Next, in step S12, the display-side control unit 15 controls the image rewriting unit 12 to change the display on the display unit 11 according to the display order of the images and the display duration of each image. Thus, the display on the display unit 11 changes according to the display order and display duration of each image. The process then ends.

[0081] [Implementation Method 2]

[0082] Reference Figure 5 A display device 200 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. Figure 5 This diagram schematically shows a display device 200 according to Embodiment 2. In the display device 200 according to Embodiment 2, the generation of the display order pattern P by the server-side control unit 23 mainly differs from that in Embodiment 1. The following mainly describes the differences between Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 1.

[0083] Figure 5 The server-side control unit 23 shown selects a first image V1 to be displayed first in the display order on the display unit 11 from among the plurality of images stored in the server-side storage unit 22. The server-side control unit 23 repeatedly performs the following process to determine the display order: using the first image V1 as the first image, when changing the plurality of images to the image next in the display order and displaying them on the display unit 11, the server-side control unit 23 selects the image with the lowest rewriting cost required by the image rewriting unit 12 as the image next in the display order.

[0084] Specifically, the server-side control unit 23 randomly selects a first image V1 from among the multiple image data stored in the server-side storage unit 22, to be displayed first in the display order on the display unit 11. The server-side control unit 23 then selects images from among the multiple images stored in the server-side storage unit 22, other than the first image V1, to be displayed second or later in the display order. As the second image V2 to be displayed second in the display order, the server-side control unit 23 selects the image data with the lowest rewrite cost relative to the first image V1 from among the image data stored in the server-side storage unit 22, other than the first image V1. Similarly, the server-side control unit 23 selects the image data selected third or later with the lowest rewrite cost relative to the image data immediately preceding it in the display order. By performing this selection for all image data displayed on the display unit 11, the server-side control unit 23 generates a display order pattern P1. The server-side control unit 23 determines the display order of the images using the generated display order pattern P, namely, display order pattern P1. As a result, the server-side control unit 23 does not need to generate all the display order patterns P that can be used to randomly generate the image data, thereby reducing the time required for the server-side control unit 23 to determine the display order.

[0085] Furthermore, although the server-side control unit 23 has been described as generating a single display order pattern P1, it is also possible to generate multiple display order patterns P1. Consequently, when the server-side control unit 23 generates a portion of the display order pattern P that can generate image data in a random arrangement, the generated multiple display order patterns P1 are more likely to include a display order pattern P1 having the lowest rewrite cost, or having the same or equivalent rewrite cost, among all the display order patterns P that can generate image data in a random arrangement.

[0086] Furthermore, the server-side control unit 23 has been described as arbitrarily selecting the first image V1 from the plurality of image data stored in the server-side storage unit 22. However, a rule for selecting the first image V1 may be pre-written in a computer program executed by the server-side control unit 23, and the server-side control unit 23 may select the first image V1 according to the rule for selecting the first image V1 contained in the computer program.

[0087] Next, refer to Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 A display device 200 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing the operation of the display device 200 according to Embodiment 2. The processing of the display device 200 includes steps S100 to S111.

[0088] First, in step S100, the server-side control unit 23 and the Figure 4Similarly to step S1 described in the process of the illustrated embodiment 1, it is determined whether the number of images stored in the server-side storage unit 22 is equal to or greater than the threshold value. If an affirmative determination (YES) is made in step S100, the process proceeds to step S101.

[0089] In step S101 , the server-side control unit 23 arbitrarily selects a first image V1 from a plurality of images stored in the server-side storage unit 22 .

[0090] Next, in step S102, the server-side control unit 23 sets the first image V1 as the first image, and selects an image whose display order is set to the second or later position from multiple images other than the first image V1 stored in the server-side storage unit 22 based on the rewrite cost, thereby generating a display order pattern P1.

[0091] Next, in step S103 , the server-side control unit 23 determines the generated display order pattern P1 as the display order of the images.

[0092] Next, the process proceeds to step S104. The process after step S104 is the same as Figure 4 The processing after step S5 described in the processing of the embodiment 1 shown is the same, so the description is omitted. Here, each processing from step S104 to step S111 corresponds to each processing from step S5 to step S12.

[0093] [Implementation Method 3]

[0094] Reference Figure 7 A display device 300 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. Figure 7 This diagram schematically shows a display device 300 according to Embodiment 3. In the display device 300 according to Embodiment 3, the generation of the display order pattern P by the server-side control unit 23 mainly differs from that in Embodiment 1. The following mainly describes the differences between Embodiment 3 and Embodiment 1.

[0095] Figure 7 The server-side control unit 23 shown divides the plurality of images stored in the server-side storage unit 22 into a plurality of groups G. The server-side control unit 23 determines the display order of the plurality of images included in each of the divided groups G based on the overwrite cost. This determines the display order of the plurality of images as a whole.

[0096] Specifically, the server-side control section 22 arbitrarily assigns the plurality of image data stored in the server-side storage section 22 to the plurality of groups G for each image data. The server-side control section 23 arranges the image data assigned to each group G within the plurality of groups G based on the rewrite cost. For example, the image data assigned within the plurality of groups G is arranged so that the sum of the rewrite cost within each group G is the minimum. The server-side control section 23 arranges the plurality of groups G in an arbitrary order in addition to arranging the image data within all of the groups G, thereby generating one display order pattern P. As a result, in a case where the server-side control section 23 generates a part of the display order patterns P capable of generating the image data in a random arrangement, the possibility of the generated plurality of display order patterns P including the display order pattern P having the minimum rewrite cost, the same or equivalent degree of rewrite cost, among all of the display order patterns P capable of generating the image data in a random arrangement becomes higher.

[0097] In addition, it is explained that the server-side control section 23 creates one display order pattern P by arranging the plurality of groups G in an arbitrary order. However, the arrangement of the plurality of groups G can be determined based on the rewrite cost. For example, the group G to be arranged after one group G can be selected based on the rewrite cost between the image at the last display order in the one group G and the image at the first display order in another group G. As a result, in a case where the server-side control section 23 generates a part of the display order patterns P capable of generating the image data in a random arrangement, the possibility of the generated plurality of display order patterns P including the display order pattern P having the minimum rewrite cost, the same or equivalent degree of rewrite cost, among all of the display order patterns P capable of generating the image data in a random arrangement becomes further higher.

[0098] Next, the display device 300 according to Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to Figure 7 and Figure 8 The display device 300 according to Embodiment 3 will be described. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the display device 300 according to Embodiment 3. The process of the display device 300 includes steps S200 to S212.

[0099] First, in step S200, the server-side control section 23 determines whether or not the number of images stored in the server-side storage section 22 is equal to or more than a threshold value, as in step S1 in the process of Embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1. In a case where the affirmative determination (Yes) is made in step S200, the process proceeds to step S201. Figure 4

[0100] Next, in step S201, the server-side control section 23 divides the plurality of images stored in the server-side storage section 22 into the plurality of groups G.

[0101] ​Next, in step S202, the server-side control section 23 generates a display order pattern P based on the rewriting cost within the divided group G and between the groups G.

[0102] Next, the process proceeds to step S203. The process after step S203 is the same as the process after step S3 in the process of Embodiment 1, so the explanation is omitted. Here, each of the processes of steps S203 to S212 corresponds to each of the processes of steps S3 to S12. Figure 4

[0103] [Embodiment 4]

[0104] Referring to Figure 9 The display device 400 according to Embodiment 4 of the present application will be described. Figure 9 is a diagram schematically showing the display device 400 according to Embodiment 4. In Figure 1 the display device 100 according to Embodiment 1, Figure 5 the display device 200 according to Embodiment 2, and Figure 7 the display device 300 according to Embodiment 3, the display device 1 and the server device 2 are separated and respectively exert different functions, but in Figure 9 the display device 400 according to Embodiment 4, the functions of the display device 1 Figure 1 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 and the functions of the server device 2 Figure 1 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 are integrated. Hereinafter, Embodiment 4 mainly describes points different from Embodiments 1 to 3.

[0105] As shown in Figure 9 , the display device 400 according to Embodiment 4 includes the display section 11, the image rewriting section 12, the power supply section 16, the storage section 31, and the control section 32. The display device 400 according to Embodiment 4, like the display device 100 according to Embodiment 1 (see Figure 1 ), the display device 200 according to Embodiment 2 (see Figure 5 ), and the display device 300 according to Embodiment 3 (see Figure 7 ), includes the display section 11 and the image rewriting section 12. On the other hand, in the display device 400 according to Embodiment 4, the object to which the power supply section 16 supplies power is different from Embodiments 1 to 3. In addition, the display device 400 according to Embodiment 4 is different from Embodiments 1 to 3 in that the display device 400 includes the storage section 31 and the control section 32, wherein the storage section 31 has Figure 1 , Figure 5 and​Figure 7 The functions of the display side storage unit 14 and the server side storage unit 22 of the embodiments 1 to 3 shown in FIG are combined, and the control unit 32 has both the functions of the display side control unit 15 and the server side control unit 23 of the display device 100 according to the embodiment 1. Figure 1 and Figure 7 Since the functions of the display device 1 and the server device 2 are integrated, the display device 400 of the fourth embodiment does not need to send and receive image data, and therefore differs from the first to third embodiments in that it does not include the receiving unit 13 and the sending unit 24.

[0106] The power supply unit 16 of the fourth embodiment supplies power to the image rewriting unit 12 , the storage unit 31 , and the control unit 32 .

[0107] The storage unit 31 stores all image display data. Figure 1 、 Figure 5 and Figure 7 ) or the server-side storage unit 22 ( Figure 1 、 Figure 5 and Figure 7 ) are the same, so the description is omitted.

[0108] The control unit 32 and the server side control unit 23 ( Figure 1 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 7 ) Similarly, a display order pattern P of a plurality of images displayed on the display unit 11 is created, and the display order of the plurality of images displayed on the display unit 11 is selected and determined from the created display order pattern P. The generation of the display order pattern P and the determination of the display order are similar to those of the server-side control unit 23 ( Figure 1 、 Figure 5 ,as well as Figure 7 ) are the same as those described in , so the description is omitted. In addition, the control unit 32 and the display side control unit 15 ( Figure 1 、 Figure 5 ,as well as Figure 7 ) Similarly controls the image rewriting unit 12.

[0109] The display device 400 of the fourth embodiment is provided by the display device 1 ( Figure 1 、 Figure 5 as well as Figure 7 ) and the server device 2 ( Figure 1 、 Figure 5 as well as Figure 7 Figure 1 Figure 5 Figure 7 Figure 1 Figure 5 Figure 7 Figure 1 Figure 5 Figure 7 Figure 1 Figure 5 Figure 7 Figure 1 Figure 5 Figure 7 Figure 1 Figure 5 Figure 7 Figure 1 Figure 5 Figure 7 Figure 1 Figure 5 Figure 7 Figure 1 Figure 5 Figure 7 Figure 1 Figure 5 Figure 7 Figure 1 Figure 5 Figure 7 Figure 1 Figure 5 Figure 7 Figure 1 Figure 5 Figure 7 Figure 1 Figure 5 Figure 7 Figure 1 Figure 5 Figure 7 Figure) functions are integrated, reducing the number of devices required. This has the advantage of being centralized in one location. Furthermore, as in embodiments 1 to 3, the order in which images are displayed is determined based on the rewrite cost, thereby also having the advantage of being able to minimize power consumption when displaying images sequentially.

[0110] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and can be implemented in various ways without departing from the main purpose thereof. In the accompanying drawings, each component is schematically shown as a main body for easy understanding, and for the convenience of drawing, the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may be different from the actual ones. In addition, the material, shape, size, etc. of each component shown in the above-mentioned embodiment is only an example and is not particularly limited. Various changes can be made within the scope of the effect of the present invention.

[0111] Industrial applicability

[0112] The display device provided by the present invention has industrial applicability.

[0113] Description of Reference Numerals

[0114] 1: Display device

[0115] 2: Server device

[0116] 11: Display

[0117] 12: Image rewriting department

[0118] 23: Server-side control unit

[0119] 32: Control Department

[0120] 100: Display device

[0121] 200: Display device

[0122] 300: Display device

[0123] 400: Display device

Claims

1. A display device, characterized in that: include: A display order determination unit that determines the display order of a plurality of images; A display unit that sequentially changes and displays the plurality of images in the display order determined by the display order determination unit; and an image rewriting unit that, when changing the image displayed on the display unit to an image in the next display order, rewrites at least a portion of the image displayed on the display unit to change the image displayed on the display unit to an image in the next display order; The display order determination unit generates a plurality of display order patterns, selects a display order pattern that minimizes the total sum of rewriting costs required by the image rewriting unit when changing the plurality of images from the plurality of display order patterns, and determines the display order.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The rewriting cost is the amount of power consumed by the image rewriting unit.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The rewriting cost is the image area or the number of pixels to be rewritten by the image rewriting unit.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The display order determination unit generates all display order patterns assuming an order in which a plurality of images are displayed on the display unit.

5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The display order determination unit generates a partial display order pattern among all display order patterns assuming an order in which a plurality of images are displayed on the display unit.

6. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The display order determination unit determines the display order by repeatedly performing the following processing: selecting a first image to be displayed on the display unit as the first in the display order from the multiple images, using the first image as the initial image, and when changing an image to be displayed on the display unit from the multiple images to an image of the next display order, selecting an image with the smallest rewriting cost required by the image rewriting unit as the image of the next display order.

7. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The display order determination unit divides the plurality of images as a whole into a plurality of groups, and determines the display order of the plurality of images contained in the group according to the rewriting cost required by the image rewriting unit when changing and displaying the plurality of images in each of the plurality of groups, thereby determining the display order of the plurality of images as a whole.

Images