Image processing method and display device

Abstract

The present application provides an image processing method and a display device. The image processing method is suitable for the display device, the display device comprises a scaling controller and a panel module, and the image processing method comprises the following steps: when the scaling controller receives a notification signal from a source end for switching a display format, storing a current image frame in a storage; the scaling controller provides the current image frame to the panel module, so that the panel module displays the current image frame; the scaling controller re-handles with the source end and the panel module, receives a new image frame provided by the source end and transmits the new image frame to the panel module, so that the panel module displays the new image frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This case relates to an image processing method and a display device, and more particularly to an image processing method and a display device for performing the image processing method that can avoid producing a black screen when switching display formats. Background Technology

[0002] In the application of display devices, users will switch display formats, such as switching parameters such as resolution, frame rate, and color depth, to make the display device suitable for the user's current usage scenario.

[0003] In existing technology, when a user switches between different display formats via an application or on-screen display (OSD) options, the scaling controller needs to first interrupt image communication with the source device and the panel module, and then re-establish communication with them based on the new display format to provide the new image to the panel module. However, when switching display formats, the scaling controller interrupts and restarts image communication with the source device and the panel module. During this time, the display device must enter a completely black screen before returning to normal display. Furthermore, restarting communication takes approximately 4 to 5 seconds or more, resulting in a black screen state for 4 to 5 seconds or more. The user must wait for the restart process to complete before seeing the image on the display device again. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides an image processing method applicable to a display device. The display device includes a scaling controller and a panel module. The image processing method includes: when the scaling controller receives a notification signal from a source indicating a desired change in display format, it stores the current image in a memory. The scaling controller provides the current image to the panel module, causing the panel module to display the current image. The scaling controller re-engages with the source and the panel module to receive a new image provided by the source and transmit it to the panel module, causing the panel module to display the new image.

[0005] In some embodiments, the switching of display format includes switching display timing, switching the version of DP interface, switching the version of HDMI interface, switching HDMI 2.1TMDS mode to HDMI 2.1FRL mode, switching DP HBR2 to HBR3, switching Freesync on / off or switching HDR on / off, etc.

[0006] In some embodiments, the panel module further includes a timing controller, through which the panel module interacts with the scaling controller.

[0007] In some embodiments, the panel module further includes a backlight module, and the panel module does not turn off the backlight module when the panel module sequentially displays the current image and the new image.

[0008] In some embodiments, the display format is switched via an application in the operating system at the source or via on-screen display (OSD) options on the display device.

[0009] In some embodiments, after the panel module displays a new image, the method further includes confirming, through the operating system or display device, that the switching of the display format has been completed.

[0010] This application also provides a display device whose signal is connected to a source end. The display device includes a scaling controller and a panel module. When the scaling controller receives a notification signal from the source end indicating a desire to switch display formats, it stores the current image in its memory. The panel module is electrically connected to the scaling controller. The scaling controller provides the current image to the panel module, causing the panel module to display the current image. The scaling controller re-engages with the source end and the panel module to receive a new image provided by the source end and transmit it to the panel module, causing the panel module to display the new image.

[0011] In some embodiments, the memory described above is built into the scaling controller.

[0012] In summary, in order to improve the problem of long black screens caused by the prior art when switching display formats, this application proposes an image processing method and display device that allows users to switch display formats instantly without any black screen during the switching process, completely eliminating the waiting time required by users when switching display formats and the black screen problem that occurs during the switching, thereby achieving a smoother switching effect. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a schematic flowchart of an image processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figures 3A-3C This is a schematic diagram of the continuous states of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention when switching display formats.

[0016] Figures 4A to 4C This is a schematic diagram illustrating the continuous states of an existing display device when switching display formats. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The following provides a detailed description of preferred embodiments; however, these embodiments are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of protection of this invention. Furthermore, some components are omitted from the drawings in the embodiments to clearly show the technical features of this invention. The same reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar components in all drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 For a block diagram of a display device according to an embodiment of this invention, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1 As shown, the display device 10 includes a scaling controller (Scaler IC) 12 and a panel module 14. The scaling controller 12 is electrically connected to the panel module 14 for transmitting image signals. The scaling controller 12 has a built-in memory 16 for storing image frames. The panel module 14 contains a timing controller 18 and a backlight module 20. The panel module 14 transmits signals to the scaling controller 12 through the timing controller 18, enabling the timing controller 18 to receive image frames from the scaling controller 12. In the display device 10, the scaling controller 12 is connected to the source end 24 via an image transmission interface 22. In one embodiment, the image transmission interface 22 is a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) or a DisplayPort (DP) interface, and the source end 24 is a computer host or a laptop computer.

[0019] When the scaling controller 12 receives a notification signal from the source terminal 24 indicating a desire to switch display formats, it stores the current image in its built-in memory 16 and provides the current image from the memory 16 to the timing controller 18 of the panel module 14, causing the panel module 14 to display the current image. Simultaneously, the scaling controller 12 re-handshakes with the source terminal 24 and the timing controller 18 of the panel module 14. After the re-handshake is complete, the scaling controller 12 receives the new image provided by the source terminal 24 and transmits it to the timing controller 18, causing the panel module 14 to display the new image to replace the current image. During the process of switching from the current image to the new image, the panel module 14 does not turn off the backlight module 20 to save the restart time of the panel module 14.

[0020] In one embodiment, the switching of display format includes display timing switching, DP interface version switching, HDMI interface version switching, HDMI 2.1TMDS mode switching to HDMI 2.1FRL mode, DP HBR2 switching to HBR3, Freesync on / off switching or HDR on / off switching, etc., wherein the display timing switching further includes switching parameters such as resolution switching, frame rate switching or color depth switching.

[0021] Figure 2 The following is a flowchart illustrating an image processing method according to an embodiment of this invention. Please also refer to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the display device 10's execution of the image processing method includes at least steps S10 to S14. When a user selects to switch the display format through an application in the operating system (OS) of the source terminal 24 or through the on-screen display (OSD) option of the display device 10, the source terminal 24 generates a notification signal corresponding to the desired display format and transmits it to the scaling controller 12 via the image transmission interface 22. As shown in step S10, when the scaling controller 12 receives the notification signal from the source terminal 24, it stores the current image currently displayed on the display device 10 in the built-in memory 16. As shown in step S12, the scaling controller 12 provides the current image to the panel module 14, causing the panel module 14 to display the current image. As shown in step S14, the scaling controller 12 re-handles with the source terminal 24 and the timing controller 18 of the panel module 14. After the re-handling is completed, the scaling controller 12 receives the new image screen provided by the source terminal 24 and transmits it to the timing controller 18 of the panel module 14, causing the panel module 14 to display the new image screen. Therefore, the scaling controller 12 provides the current image screen stored in the memory 16 to the panel module 14 until the scaling controller 12 re-handles with the source terminal 24 and the panel module 14 before providing a new image screen to the panel module 14, ensuring that no black screen is generated during the switching process.

[0022] In one embodiment, the scaling controller 12 performs steps S12 and S14 simultaneously. In other words, while providing the current image to the panel module 14, the scaling controller 12 also re-engages with the source terminal 24 and the timing controller 18 of the panel module 14 until it provides a new image to the panel module 14. Because the scaling controller 12 continuously provides the current image to the panel module 14 during the re-engagement process with the source terminal 24 and the timing controller 18 of the panel module 14, the image on the display device 10 remains uninterrupted, thus avoiding the problem of black screens.

[0023] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, after the step of displaying the new image on panel module 14, as shown in step S16, the user can also confirm that the display format switching has been completed through the operating system of source terminal 24 or display device 10. In other words, if the user switches the display format through an application of the operating system, the user can still confirm the switching result through the operating system after the switching is completed; if the user switches the display format through a menu displayed on the screen of display device 10, the user can confirm the switching result through display device 10 after the switching is completed.

[0024] In one embodiment, this invention uses the resolution switching during the display sequence to illustrate the technical features of the invention. Figures 3A-3C This is a schematic diagram illustrating the continuous states of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention when switching display formats. Figures 4A to 4C This is a schematic diagram of the continuous state of an existing display device when switching display formats, in order to present the effect that this invention can achieve by comparing the differences between the present invention and the prior art.

[0025] Please also refer to Figure 1 As shown, firstly, as Figure 3A As shown, when a user selects to switch the desktop resolution via the on-screen display (OSD) options on the display device 10, the scaling controller 12 receives a notification signal from the source terminal 24. At this time, the scaling controller 12 stores the current image 26 currently displayed on the display device 10 in its built-in memory 16. Then, the scaling controller 12 provides the current image 26 to the panel module 14, causing the display device 10 to display the current image 26, as shown. Figure 3B As shown, the display screen on its display device 10 is the same as... Figure 3ASame as before, no change; at this time, the scaling controller 12 re-engages with the source end 24 and the panel module 14. After the re-engagement is completed, the scaling controller 12 receives the new image frame 28 provided by the source end 24 and transmits it to the timing controller 18 of the panel module 14, so that the panel module 14 displays the new image frame 28, as shown. Figure 3C As shown, the display device 10 has completed the resolution switch and displayed the new image screen 28. No black screen was generated during the entire switching process.

[0026] like Figure 4A As shown, display device 10' is displaying the current image 26'. When the user selects to switch the desktop resolution via the on-screen display (OSD) options on display device 10', after receiving a notification signal from the source end, the scaling controller will first interrupt the image communication with the source end and the panel module, such as... Figure 4B As shown, at this time, the display device 10' will display a black screen 30' until the scaling controller re-engages with the source and panel modules, and then the display device 10' will display a new image screen 28'. Figure 4C As shown, the display device 10' has completed the resolution switch and displayed the new image 28'. During the entire switching process, the display device 10' will have a time of 4 to 5 seconds or more. Figure 4B The example shown is a black screen for 30 seconds, meaning the user must wait for the restart process to complete before seeing the image again on display device 10'. This embodiment uses resolution switching as an example; some display timings are even related to changes in specifications, such as the switching from HDMI 2.1TMDS mode to HDMI 2.1FRL mode, or from DP HBR2 to HBR3, which takes longer, resulting in an even longer black screen for 30 seconds. In contrast, this solution effectively overcomes this black screen problem regardless of the display format being switched, providing users with a better display experience.

[0027] In summary, in order to improve the problem of long black screens caused by the prior art when switching display formats, this application proposes an image processing method and display device that allows users to feel that the switching of display formats is instantaneous and that no black screen is generated during the switching process, thus completely eliminating the waiting time required by users when switching display formats and the black screen problem that occurs during the switching, thereby achieving a smoother switching effect.

[0028] The embodiments described above are only for illustrating the technical ideas and features of this case. Their purpose is to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of this case and implement it accordingly. However, they cannot be used to limit the scope of the patent in this case. That is, all equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit disclosed in this case should still be covered within the scope of the patent application in this case.

[0029] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0030] 10,10': Display device

[0031] 12: Scaling Controller

[0032] 14: Panel Module

[0033] 16: Memory

[0034] 18: Timing Controller

[0035] 20: Backlight Module

[0036] 22: Image transmission interface

[0037] 24: Source

[0038] 26,26': Current video frame

[0039] 28,28': New footage

[0040] 30': Black screen

[0041] S10~S16: Steps

Claims

1. An image processing method, applicable to a display device, the display device including a scaling controller and a panel module, the image processing method comprising: When the scaling controller receives a notification signal from the source indicating that the display format needs to be switched, it stores the current image in the memory. The zoom controller provides the current image to the panel module, enabling the panel module to display the current image. as well as The zoom controller re-engages with the source and the panel module to receive the new image from the source and transmit it to the panel module, so that the panel module displays the new image.

2. The image processing method as described in claim 1, wherein the switching of the display format includes display timing switching, DP interface version switching, HDMI interface version switching, HDMI 2.1TMDS mode switching to HDMI 2.1FRL mode, DP HBR2 switching to HBR3, Freesync on / off switching, or HDR on / off switching.

3. The image processing method as described in claim 1, wherein the panel module further includes a timing controller, and the panel module interacts with the scaling controller through the timing controller.

4. The image processing method as described in claim 1, wherein the panel module further includes a backlight module, and the panel module does not turn off the backlight module when the panel module sequentially displays the current image and the new image.

5. The image processing method as described in claim 1, wherein the switching of the display format is performed by an application of the operating system in the source end or by displaying options on the screen of the display device, and the switching of the display format is confirmed by the operating system or the display device.

6. The image processing method of claim 1, wherein the memory is built into the scaling controller.

7. A display device having a signal connected to a source, the display device comprising: When the scaling controller receives a notification signal from the source indicating a desire to switch display formats, it stores the current image in its memory. as well as The panel module is electrically connected to the zoom controller. The zoom controller provides the current image to the panel module, so that the panel module displays the current image. The zoom controller re-engages with the source and the panel module to receive the new image provided by the source and transmit it to the panel module, so that the panel module displays the new image.

8. The display device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the switching of the display format includes display timing switching, DP interface version switching, HDMI interface version switching, HDMI 2.1TMDS mode switching to HDMI 2.1FRL mode, DP HBR2 switching to HBR3, Freesync on / off switching, or HDR on / off switching, etc.

9. The display device of claim 7, wherein the panel module further includes a timing controller, and the panel module interacts with the scaling controller through the timing controller.

10. The display device of claim 7, wherein the switching of the display format is performed by an application of the operating system in the source end or by displaying options on the screen of the display device, and the switching of the display format includes confirming that the switching of the display format has been completed by the operating system or the display device.

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