Video display device, program, and video display method

Abstract

To provide a video display device, a program, and a video display method that can contribute to enhanced persuasiveness and appeal of advertising contents, and display contents in an easy-to-view manner.SOLUTION: A video display device 100 comprises a flexible display, a deformation unit for deforming a shape of the flexible display, and a control unit for causing the deformation unit to deform the shape of the flexible display in response to at least one of a surrounding state of the flexible display and a display content of the flexible display. A program executed by the video display device causes the deformation unit to execute control gradations that deform the shape of the flexible display in response to at least one of the surrounding state of the flexible display and the display content of the flexible display.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image display device, a program, and an image display method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a flexible display device that provides a GUI guide showing a deformation gesture related to a function to be executed when a deformation gesture is performed. Patent Document 2 describes a display device that can perform various control instructions by finely responding to bending positions and bending methods. Patent Document 3 describes an image display device that includes a bendable image display panel, a bending degree sensor that detects the local bending degree of each part of the image display panel, and an image display control unit that controls to change the image display range of the image display panel according to the result obtained by the bending degree sensor. [Prior art document] [Patent documents] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-218695 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2013-196623 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2015-075688 A Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an image display device. The image display device may include a flexible display. The image display device may include a deformation unit that deforms a shape of the flexible display. The image display device may include a control unit that causes the deformation unit to deform the shape of the flexible display in response to at least one of a surrounding situation of the flexible display and a display content of the flexible display.

[0004] The image display device may include a recognition unit that recognizes a situation around the flexible display, and the control unit may cause the shape changing unit to change the shape of the flexible display according to the situation around the flexible display recognized by the recognition unit. The recognition unit may recognize a person viewing the flexible display, and the control unit may cause the shape changing unit to change the shape of the flexible display according to the recognition result of the person viewing the flexible display by the recognition unit. When the number of people viewing the flexible display recognized by the recognition unit is smaller than a predetermined first number, the control unit may cause the shape changing unit to change the shape of the flexible display so that the shape of the flexible display becomes a horizontally convex shape in which a cross section of the flexible display protrudes toward a display surface side. When the number of people viewing the flexible display recognized by the recognition unit is larger than a predetermined second number, the control unit may cause the deformation unit to change the shape of the flexible display so that the shape of the flexible display becomes a horizontally concave shape in which a cross section of the flexible display recedes toward a display surface side.

[0005] In any of the display devices, the control unit may cause the deformation unit to deform a shape of the flexible display in accordance with display content displayed on the flexible display and attributes of a person viewing the flexible display recognized by the recognition unit. The control unit may cause the deformation unit to deform the shape of the flexible display such that a position of the flexible display corresponding to a person viewing the flexible display whose attribute corresponds to the display content protrudes into a horizontally convex shape.

[0006] In any of the display devices, when the recognition unit recognizes a person whose eye height is higher than the height of the flexible display and a person whose eye height is lower than the height of the flexible display, the control unit may cause the deformation unit to deform the shape of the flexible display so that the shape of the flexible display becomes a vertical convex shape in which the vertical cross section of the flexible display protrudes toward the display surface side, or a vertical concave shape in which the vertical cross section of the flexible display recedes toward the display surface side.

[0007] In any of the display devices described above, the recognition unit may recognize wind around the flexible display, and the control unit may cause the deformation unit to deform a shape of the flexible display according to a result of the recognition of the wind around the flexible display by the recognition unit. The control unit may cause the deformation unit to dynamically deform a shape of the flexible display so that the flexible display flutters according to a strength of the wind around the flexible display.

[0008] In any of the display devices, the recognition unit may recognize light incident on the flexible display, and the control unit may cause the deformation unit to deform the shape of the flexible display in accordance with the recognition result of the light incident on the flexible display by the recognition unit.

[0009] In any of the display devices, the control unit may cause the deformation unit to deform a shape of the flexible display in accordance with display content of the flexible display. When the display content of the flexible display is a 3D image, the control unit may cause the deformation unit to deform a shape of the flexible display such that a cross section of the flexible display has an L-shape.

[0010] In any of the display devices, when displaying content that flutters in the wind on the flexible display, the control unit may cause the deformation unit to dynamically deform the shape of the flexible display so that the flexible display flutters.

[0011] In any of the display devices, the flexible display may be a touch-sensitive display, and the control unit may cause the deformation unit to deform a shape of the flexible display so that, when touch operation content that accepts touch operations by a user is displayed on the flexible display, a display position of the touch operation content on the flexible display protrudes toward a display surface side.

[0012] Any of the display devices may be provided with a plurality of directional speakers that output sound in different directions based on the position of the flexible display, and the control unit may control the sound output from the plurality of directional speakers in accordance with the shape of the flexible display.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a program is provided for an image display device having a flexible display and a deformation unit that changes the shape of the flexible display, to cause the deformation unit to execute a control step of deforming the shape of the flexible display in accordance with at least one of the surrounding conditions of the flexible display and the display content of the flexible display.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an image display method executed by an image display device having a flexible display and a deformation unit that deforms the shape of the flexible display, the image display method including a control step of causing the deformation unit to deform the shape of the flexible display depending on at least one of the surrounding situation of the flexible display and the display content of the flexible display.

[0015] The above summary of the invention does not list all of the necessary features of the present invention. Also, subcombinations of these features may also be inventions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an example of a video display device 100. [Diagram 2] 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining deformation of the shape of the flexible display 110. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 shows a schematic example of a use of the image display device 100. [Figure 4] 1 shows a schematic example of a use of the image display device 100. [Diagram 5] 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining deformation of the shape of the flexible display 110. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 shows an example of a processing flow by the image display device 100. [Figure 7] An example of the hardware configuration of a computer 1200 functioning as the image display device 100 or the control unit 200 is shown in schematic form. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention according to the claims. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0018] 1 illustrates an example of an image display device 100. The image display device 100 includes a flexible display 110, a deformation unit 120, and a control unit 200. The image display device 100 may include a recognition unit 130. The image display device 100 may include a directional speaker 140. The image display device 100 may include a plurality of directional speakers 140. The image display device 100 may include a communication unit 150.

[0019] The flexible display 110 may be a tough display. The flexible display 110 may be a flexible display. The flexible display 110 may be a so-called flexible organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The flexible display 110 may be a so-called flexible liquid crystal display. The flexible display 110 may be a so-called electronic paper display.

[0020] The flexible display 110 may have any size. For example, the flexible display 110 has a size that allows it to be placed on a desk or the like. For example, the flexible display 110 has a size that allows it to be used as signage in stations, stores, facilities, offices, and the like. The image display device 100 may include a plurality of flexible displays 110. The image display device 100 may divide and display an image on the plurality of flexible displays 110. This makes it possible to increase the overall display size.

[0021] The deformation unit 120 deforms the shape of the flexible display 110. The deformation unit 120 is composed of, for example, a deformable housing on which the flexible display 110 is installed and a servo motor that deforms the housing. The deformation unit 120 may have any structure as long as it can deform the flexible display 110 into a shape that protrudes from the display surface side or a shape that retracts from the display surface side. Examples of the shape of the flexible display 110 include a shape when the flexible display 110 is viewed from above, i.e., a shape in which the transverse section of the flexible display 110 is V-shaped, Λ-shaped, S-shaped, L-shaped, and wave-shaped, and a shape when the flexible display 110 is viewed from the side, i.e., a shape in which the longitudinal section of the flexible display 110 is V-shaped, Λ-shaped, S-shaped, L-shaped, and wave-shaped, but are not limited thereto.

[0022] The recognition unit 130 recognizes the situation around the flexible display 110. For example, the recognition unit 130 recognizes the situation of people around the flexible display 110. The recognition unit 130 may recognize the number of people viewing the flexible display 110, their standing positions, their relationships (parent and child, lovers, etc.), gender, age, physique (height, weight), facial expression, head direction, gaze direction, emotions, and the like. For example, the recognition unit 130 recognizes the situation of objects around the flexible display 110. For example, the recognition unit 130 recognizes the wind around the flexible display 110. For example, the recognition unit 130 recognizes light entering the flexible display 110.

[0023] The recognition unit 130 may include an imaging unit. The recognition unit 130 may include an imaging unit capable of imaging a viewable range of the display surface of the flexible display 110. For example, the recognition unit 130 includes an omnidirectional camera. The omnidirectional camera may also be called a 360-degree camera, a celestial sphere camera, or the like. The recognition unit 130 may include a sensor that recognizes the surroundings by laser. For example, the recognition unit 130 includes a LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging).

[0024] The recognition unit 130 may include a wind speed sensor. The recognition unit 130 may recognize the wind speed and wind direction around the flexible display 110 by the wind speed sensor.

[0025] The recognition unit 130 may include an optical sensor. The recognition unit 130 may recognize light incident on the flexible display 110 by the optical sensor.

[0026] The directional speaker 140 delivers sound in a specific direction or in a specific area. The image display device 100 may include a plurality of directional speakers 140 that output sound in different directions based on the position of the image display device 100. The image display device 100 includes, for example, a plurality of directional speakers 140 arranged at positions corresponding to the respective positions of the display surface of the flexible display 110. As a specific example, the image display device 100 includes a directional speaker 140 arranged at a position corresponding to the center of the display surface of the flexible display 110 and outputting sound in a direction facing the display surface of the flexible display 110, a directional speaker 140 arranged on the right side of the display surface of the flexible display 110, outputting sound in a direction facing the display surface of the flexible display 110 and having directivity in the right direction, and a directional speaker 140 arranged on the left side of the display surface of the flexible display 110, outputting sound in a direction facing the display surface of the flexible display 110 and having directivity in the left direction. This allows different sounds to be conveyed to a person located directly in front of the flexible display 110, a person located to the right of the flexible display 110, and a person located to the left of the flexible display 110.

[0027] The communication unit 150 executes communication with other devices. The communication unit 150 executes communication with, for example, other video display devices 100. The communication unit 150 may communicate with other devices via a network. The network may include a mobile communication network such as a Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication system, a 4G (4th Generation) communication system, a 5G (5th Generation) communication system, a 3G (3rd Generation) communication system, and a 6G (6th Generation) communication system or later. The network may include a Local Area Network (LAN). The network may include the Internet. The network may include a so-called cloud network. The communication unit 150 may be wirelessly connected to the network via a wireless base station, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) access point, a wireless LAN router, or the like, or may be wired.

[0028] The control unit 200 executes various controls. For example, the control unit 200 controls the display of the flexible display 110. For example, the control unit 200 causes the flexible display 110 to display an image.

[0029] The control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 in accordance with at least one of the surrounding situation of the flexible display 110 and the display content of the flexible display 110 .

[0030] For example, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 according to the surrounding situation of the flexible display 110 recognized by the recognition unit 130. For example, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 according to the recognition result of the person viewing the flexible display 110 by the recognition unit 130. For example, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 according to the recognition result of the object around the flexible display 110 by the recognition unit 130. For example, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 according to the recognition result of the wind around the flexible display 110 by the recognition unit 130. For example, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 according to the recognition result of the light incident on the flexible display 110 by the recognition unit 130.

[0031] For example, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 in accordance with the display content of the flexible display 110. For example, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 in accordance with the movement of the content displayed on the flexible display 110. For example, when displaying the content on the flexible display 110, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 in accordance with shape designation data that designates the shape of the flexible display 110 and that is registered as metadata for the content.

[0032] For example, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 in accordance with an instruction from an operator received via the communication unit 150. For example, when a user using the image display device 100 is making a video call via the communication unit 150 with another user using another image display device 100, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 in accordance with an instruction received from the other image display device 100.

[0033] Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining deformation of the flexible display 110. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the flexible display 110 is installed in a housing 122 that can be deformed by a plurality of servo motors 124. The control unit 200 can deform the shape of the flexible display 110 by controlling the rotation and speed of the plurality of servo motors 124.

[0034] Figure 2 illustrates a state in which the cross section of flexible display 110 protrudes toward the display surface side (sometimes referred to as a horizontally convex shape) and a state in which the cross section of flexible display 110 recedes toward the display surface side (sometimes referred to as a horizontally concave shape) compared to the normal state in which flexible display 110 is not curved and is flat.

[0035] 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of use of the image display device 100. The control unit 200 may cause the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 according to the number of people viewing the flexible display 110 recognized by the recognition unit 130.

[0036] As a specific example, when the number of people viewing the flexible display 110 recognized by the recognition unit 130 is less than a predetermined number, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that the shape of the flexible display 110 becomes a horizontally convex shape, and when the number is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that the shape of the flexible display 110 becomes a horizontally convex shape.

[0037] 3 and 4 illustrate a case where the predetermined number is 2. As shown in FIG. 3, when the number of people viewing the flexible display 110 is one, the flexible display 110 is made to have a horizontally convex shape, thereby making it possible to enhance the sense of immersion and realism felt by the one person in the display content of the flexible display 110. As shown in FIG. 4, when the number of people viewing the flexible display 110 is two, the flexible display 110 is made to have a horizontally concave shape, thereby making it possible to make the display content easily viewable for each of the two people viewing the flexible display 110 from different positions.

[0038] When the number of people viewing the flexible display 110 recognized by the recognition unit 130 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the control unit 200 may, in causing the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that the shape of the flexible display 110 becomes laterally convex, increase the curvature of the flexible display 110 as the number of people decreases, that is, decrease the curvature of the flexible display 110 as the number of people increases. This makes it easier to view the flexible display 110 in a situation where the flexible display 110 is viewed from more positions.

[0039] The control unit 200 may cause the shape of the flexible display 110 to be in a normal state when the number of people viewing the flexible display 110 recognized by the recognition unit 130 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, and may cause the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that the shape of the flexible display 110 becomes a horizontally convex shape when the number of people viewing the flexible display 110 is less than the predetermined number.

[0040] The control unit 200 may cause the shape of the flexible display 110 to be in a normal state when the number of people viewing the flexible display 110 recognized by the recognition unit 130 is less than a predetermined number, and may cause the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that the shape of the flexible display 110 becomes horizontally concave when the number of people viewing the flexible display 110 is equal to or greater than the predetermined number.

[0041] When the number of people viewing the flexible display 110 recognized by the recognition unit 130 is two or more, the control unit 200 may cause the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that the cross section of the flexible display 110 has an S-shape. As a specific example, when the number of people viewing the flexible display 110 recognized by the recognition unit 130 is three, and two of the three people are located on the right side as viewed from the flexible display 110 side and one of the three people is located on the left side as viewed from the flexible display 110 side, the control unit 200 may cause the deformation unit 120 to deform the flexible display 110 so that the right side of the flexible display 110 as viewed from the flexible display 110 side is retracted and the left side as viewed from the flexible display 110 side is protruding.

[0042] When there are a plurality of people viewing the flexible display 110 recognized by the recognition unit 130, the control unit 200 may cause the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 according to the display content displayed on the flexible display 110. For example, when the display content is intended for a plurality of people, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that the shape of the flexible display 110 becomes a horizontally concave shape, and when the display content is intended for a specific person among the plurality of people, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that the shape of the flexible display 110 becomes a horizontally convex shape protruding toward the specific person. In this way, when the display content is intended for a plurality of people, the display form can be made easy to view for all of the multiple people, and when the display content is intended for a specific person among the multiple people, the display form can be made to attract attention from the specific person.

[0043] The control unit 200 may cause the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 according to the attributes of the person viewing the flexible display 110 recognized by the recognition unit 130 and the display content displayed on the flexible display 110. Examples of the person's attributes include gender, age, and physical build (height, weight). For example, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that a position of the flexible display 110 corresponding to a person whose attributes correspond to the display content among the people viewing the flexible display 110 becomes a horizontally convex shape. For example, when the attributes of a target person are registered as metadata in the display content, the control unit 200 specifies the position of a person who has attributes matching the attributes of the person registered in the display content among the people viewing the flexible display 110, and causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that a position of the flexible display 110 facing the specified position becomes a horizontally convex shape.

[0044] As a specific example, when metadata indicating that the target is a woman is registered in the display content, the control unit 200 identifies the position of the woman among the people viewing the flexible display 110, and causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that a position of the flexible display 110 facing the identified position has a protruding horizontal convex shape. As a result, for example, in a situation where a male-female couple is viewing the flexible display 110, when display content for women is displayed, the flexible display 110 can be shaped so as to protrude toward the female of the couple, which may increase the attention of the female and provide a sense of realism.

[0045] The control unit 200 may cause the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 according to the emotion of the person viewing the flexible display 110 recognized by the recognition unit 130. For example, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that, when the shape of the flexible display 110 is deformed into a horizontally convex shape, if the emotion of the person viewing the flexible display 110 is positive, the shape of the flexible display 110 is maintained as a horizontally convex shape, and, when the emotion of the person viewing the flexible display 110 is negative, the shape of the flexible display 110 is restored to its normal state. For example, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that, when the shape of the flexible display 110 is deformed into a horizontally concave shape, if the emotion of the person viewing the flexible display 110 is positive, the shape of the flexible display 110 is maintained as a horizontally concave shape, and, when the emotion of the person viewing the flexible display 110 is negative, the shape of the flexible display 110 is restored to its normal state. As a result, by making the flexible display 110 into a horizontally convex or horizontally concave shape, it is possible to prevent the flexible display 110 from deforming into a horizontally convex or horizontally concave shape for people who have negative emotions.

[0046] The control unit 200 may set the flexible display 110 in a normal state when the display content of the flexible display 110 is a so-called 2D image, and may cause the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that stereoscopic vision can be realized when the display content of the flexible display 110 is a so-called 3D image. As a specific example, when the display content of the flexible display 110 is a so-called 3D image, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that the cross section of the flexible display 110 has an L-shape. By making the cross section of the flexible display 110 have an L-shape, stereoscopic vision due to an optical illusion can be realized. The control unit 200 may determine a position at which the flexible display 110 protrudes toward the display surface side so that the display content appears stereoscopic when the flexible display 110 is viewed from the specified position. This allows the display content to be more appropriately stereoscopically viewed from the position of the person actually viewing the flexible display 110.

[0047] When displaying content that flutters in the wind on the flexible display 110, the control unit 200 may cause the deformation unit 120 to dynamically deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that the flexible display 110 flutters. Examples of content that flutters in the wind include flags and carp streamers. When displaying a flag on the flexible display 110, the control unit 200 may cause the deformation unit 120 to dynamically change the shape of the flexible display 110 so that the flexible display 110 flutters. This makes it possible to give the viewer the sensation that the flag displayed on the flexible display 110 is actually fluttering.

[0048] When displaying content fluttering in the wind on the flexible display 110, the control unit 200 may cause the deformation unit 120 to dynamically change the shape of the flexible display 110 so that the flexible display 110 flutters in response to the recognition result of the wind around the flexible display 110 by the recognition unit 130. For example, the control unit 200 causes the flexible display 110 to display content fluttering in the wind, and when the strength of the wind around the flexible display 110 is weaker than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to dynamically deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that the flexible display 110 flutters in response to the strength of the wind around the flexible display 110. Furthermore, the control unit 200 may cause the deformation unit 120 to dynamically deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that the flexible display 110 flutters in response to the strength of the wind around the flexible display 110. That is, the control unit 200 may cause the deformation unit 120 to dynamically deform the shape of the flexible display 110 such that the stronger the wind around the flexible display 110, the more violently the flexible display 110 flutters.

[0049] Even when the content that flutters in the wind is not displayed on the flexible display 110, the control unit 200 may cause the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 according to the recognition result of the wind around the flexible display 110 by the recognition unit 130. For example, when the strength of the wind around the flexible display 110 is weaker than a predetermined threshold, the control unit 200 sets the flexible display 110 to a normal state, and when the strength of the wind around the flexible display 110 is equal to or greater than the threshold, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to dynamically deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that the flexible display 110 flutters. Furthermore, the control unit 200 may cause the deformation unit 120 to dynamically deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that the flexible display 110 flutters according to the strength of the wind around the flexible display 110. That is, the control unit 200 may cause the deformation unit 120 to dynamically deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that the flexible display 110 flutters more violently as the strength of the wind around the flexible display 110 becomes stronger.

[0050] The flexible display 110 may be a touch-sensitive display. When the flexible display 110 is a touch-sensitive display, the control unit 200 may cause the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that the display position of the content for touch operation on the flexible display 110 protrudes toward the display surface side when the content for touch operation that accepts a touch operation by a user is displayed on the flexible display 110. This makes it easier for the user to recognize the content to be touched and to touch the content.

[0051] When the recognition unit 130 recognizes that multiple people are viewing the flexible display 110, the control unit 200 may deform the flexible display 110 into a horizontally convex shape and display different display contents on the left display surface and the right display surface of the flexible display 110, which are divided by the most protruding part of the flexible display 110. This allows display contents directed to each of the person located on the right side of the flexible display 110 and the person located on the left side of the flexible display 110. In this case, the control unit 200 may control audio output by the multiple directional speakers 140 according to the shape of the flexible display 110. For example, the control unit 200 may control the directional speaker 140 at a position corresponding to the person located on the right side of the flexible display 110 to output audio directed to the person located on the right side, and the directional speaker 140 at a position corresponding to the person located on the left side of the flexible display 110 to output audio directed to the person located on the left side. This makes it possible to provide display and audio directed to each of the multiple people.

[0052] 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining deformation of the shape of the flexible display 110. Here, differences from FIG. 2 will be mainly explained.

[0053] Figure 5 illustrates a state in which the vertical cross section of flexible display 110 protrudes toward the display surface side (sometimes referred to as a vertical convex shape) compared to the normal state in which flexible display 110 is not curved, and a state in which the vertical cross section of flexible display 110 recedes toward the display surface side (sometimes referred to as a vertical concave shape).

[0054] When the recognition unit 130 recognizes a person whose eye height is higher than the height of the flexible display 110 and a person whose eye height is lower than the height of the flexible display 110, the control unit 200 may cause the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that the shape of the flexible display 110 becomes a vertical convex shape or a vertical concave shape.

[0055] As a specific example, when the people viewing the flexible display 110 are a parent and a child, and the parent's eye height is higher than the height of the flexible display 110 and the child's eye height is lower than the height of the flexible display 110, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that the shape of the flexible display 110 becomes a vertically convex shape. Then, the control unit 200 may cause the flexible display 110 to display content for the parent on the upper side and content for the child on the lower side. This allows the content to be displayed in an easy-to-view manner for both the parent and the child.

[0056] As a specific example, when the people viewing the flexible display 110 are a parent and a child, and the parent's eye height is located higher than the height of the flexible display 110 and the child's eye height is located lower than the height of the flexible display 110, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 so that the shape of the flexible display 110 becomes vertically concave. Then, the control unit 200 may cause the flexible display 110 to display content for the parent on the lower side and content for the child on the upper side. This allows the content to be displayed in an easy-to-view manner for both the parent and the child.

[0057] The image display device 100 may have both the structure shown in Fig. 2 and the structure shown in Fig. 5. In this case, the deformation unit 120 may be capable of deforming the flexible display 110 into each of a horizontally convex shape, a horizontally concave shape, a vertically convex shape, and a vertically concave shape.

[0058] The deformation unit 120 may deform the flexible display 110 into a shape that protrudes obliquely from the display surface side, or into a shape that retracts obliquely from the display surface side.

[0059] 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a process flow of the image display device 100. Here, the process flow will be described in which the control unit 200 mainly controls the flexible display 110 to change its shape depending on the situation while displaying any display content on the flexible display 110.

[0060] In step (sometimes abbreviated to S) 102, the control unit 200 starts displaying any display content on the flexible display 110. In S104, the recognition unit 130 starts recognizing the surrounding situation of the flexible display 110.

[0061] In S106, the control unit 200 determines whether or not to deform the shape of the flexible display 110. The control unit 200 may determine to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 when either the display content displayed on the flexible display 110 or the situation around the flexible display 110 satisfies a condition for deforming the shape of the flexible display 110. When it is determined to deform the shape of the flexible display 110, the process proceeds to S108.

[0062] In S108, the control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110. The control unit 200 causes the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 according to the condition satisfied in S106.

[0063] In S110, if it is determined that the display on the flexible display 110 should not be ended, the process returns to S106, and if it is determined that the display should be ended, the process ends.

[0064] The image display device 100 is used, for example, in a remote conference. For example, when one participant uses one image display device 100 to participate in a remote conference, the control unit 200 may cause the flexible display 110 to have a horizontally convex shape or to be in a normal state. When multiple participants use one image display device 100 to participate in a remote conference, the control unit 200 may cause the flexible display 110 to have a horizontally concave shape when the display content is intended for all participants, and may cause the flexible display 110 to have a horizontally convex shape when the display content is intended for a specific participant, so that a position on the flexible display 110 corresponding to the specific participant protrudes toward the display surface side.

[0065] The image display device 100 is used for digital advertising, for example. The image display device 100 may be placed in a taxi or a toilet, or in a station, a store, a facility, an office, or the like. The image display device 100 displays advertising content on the flexible display 110, while causing the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110, in accordance with shape designation data registered as metadata in the advertising content by an advertiser, for example. In addition, for example, the flexible display 110 can be used to display three-dimensional (3D) advertising content using an optical illusion by bending the flexible display 110 into an L-shape, and an optimal shape can be adopted for each content of the 2D advertisement and the 3D advertisement. These can contribute to improving the persuasiveness and appeal of the advertising content.

[0066] The image display device 100 is used, for example, for online customer service. The image display device 100 may serve customers using, for example, an avatar displayed on the flexible display 110. The image display device 100 may be used for customer service in, for example, pubs, department stores, convenience stores, restaurants, and the like. The image display device 100 may be used for viewing services in, for example, museums, art galleries, aquariums, and the like. The image display device 100 may be used for concierge services in, for example, department stores, city halls, hospitals, and the like. For example, the control unit 200 serves customers using an avatar displayed on the flexible display 110, while causing the deformation unit 120 to deform the shape of the flexible display 110 in response to changes in the surrounding situation, changes in the emotions of the person being served, and the like.

[0067] 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a computer 1200 functioning as the image display device 100 or the control unit 200. A program installed in the computer 1200 can cause the computer 1200 to function as one or more "parts" of the device according to the present embodiment, or cause the computer 1200 to execute operations or one or more "parts" associated with the device according to the present embodiment, and / or cause the computer 1200 to execute a process or steps of the process according to the present embodiment. Such a program can be executed by the CPU 1212 to cause the computer 1200 to execute specific operations associated with some or all of the blocks of the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0068] The computer 1200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 1212, a RAM 1214, and a graphics controller 1216, which are connected to each other by a host controller 1210. The computer 1200 also includes input / output units such as a communication interface 1222, a storage device 1224, a DVD drive, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 1210 via an input / output controller 1220. The DVD drive may be a DVD-ROM drive, a DVD-RAM drive, etc. The storage device 1224 may be a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, etc. The computer 1200 also includes a legacy input / output unit such as a ROM 1230 and a keyboard, which are connected to the input / output controller 1220 via an input / output chip 1240.

[0069] The CPU 1212 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 1230 and the RAM 1214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphic controller 1216 acquires image data generated by the CPU 1212 into a frame buffer or the like provided in the RAM 1214 or into the graphic controller 1216 itself, and causes the image data to be displayed on the flexible display 110.

[0070] The communication interface 1222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The storage device 1224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 1212 in the computer 1200. The DVD drive reads programs or data from a DVD-ROM or the like and provides them to the storage device 1224. The IC card drive reads programs and data from an IC card and / or writes programs and data to an IC card.

[0071] The ROM 1230 stores therein a boot program or the like that is executed by the computer 1200 upon activation, and / or a program that depends on the hardware of the computer 1200. The input / output chip 1240 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 1220 via a USB port, a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, and the like.

[0072] The programs are provided by a computer-readable storage medium such as a DVD-ROM or an IC card. The programs are read from the computer-readable storage medium, installed in the storage device 1224, the RAM 1214, or the ROM 1230, which are also examples of computer-readable storage media, and executed by the CPU 1212. Information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 1200, and brings about cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. An apparatus or method may be constructed by implementing operations or processing of information according to the use of the computer 1200.

[0073] For example, when communication is performed between the computer 1200 and an external device, the CPU 1212 may execute a communication program loaded in the RAM 1214 and instruct the communication interface 1222 to perform communication processing based on the processing described in the communication program. Under the control of the CPU 1212, the communication interface 1222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer area provided in the RAM 1214, the storage device 1224, a DVD-ROM, or a recording medium such as an IC card, and transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes reception data received from the network to a reception buffer area or the like provided on the recording medium.

[0074] Furthermore, the CPU 1212 may cause all or a necessary portion of a file or database stored in an external recording medium such as the storage device 1224, a DVD drive (DVD-ROM), an IC card, etc. to be read into the RAM 1214, and perform various types of processing on the data on the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 may then write back the processed data to the external recording medium.

[0075] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored in the recording medium and undergo information processing. The CPU 1212 may perform various types of processing on the data read from the RAM 1214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgment, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information search / replacement, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by the instruction sequence of the program, and write back the results to the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 may also search for information in a file, database, etc. in the recording medium. For example, when a plurality of entries each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute are stored in the recording medium, the CPU 1212 may search for an entry whose attribute value of the first attribute matches a specified condition from among the plurality of entries, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0076] The above-described programs or software modules may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium on the computer 1200 or in the vicinity of the computer 1200. In addition, a recording medium such as a hard disk or a RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as a computer-readable storage medium, thereby providing the programs to the computer 1200 via the network.

[0077] The blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams in the present embodiment may represent stages of a process in which an operation is performed or "parts" of an apparatus responsible for performing the operation. Particular stages and "parts" may be implemented by dedicated circuitry, programmable circuitry provided with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium, and / or a processor provided with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium. The dedicated circuitry may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. The programmable circuitry may include reconfigurable hardware circuits, such as, for example, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), and the like, including AND, OR, XOR, NAND, NOR, and other logical operations, flip-flops, registers, and memory elements.

[0078] A computer-readable storage medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions that are executed by a suitable device, such that a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon comprises an article of manufacture that includes instructions that can be executed to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams. Examples of computer-readable storage media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, and the like. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memories (RAMs), read-only memories (ROMs), erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs or flash memories), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), static random access memories (SRAMs), compact disk read-only memories (CD-ROMs), digital versatile disks (DVDs), Blu-ray disks, memory sticks, integrated circuit cards, and the like.

[0079] The computer readable instructions may include either assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk®, JAVA®, C++, etc., and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages.

[0080] Computer readable instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, or to a programmable circuit, either locally or over a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet, etc., to cause the processor of the general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, or to a programmable circuit, to execute the computer readable instructions to generate means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, etc.

[0081] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the description of the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0082] It should be noted that the order of execution of each process, such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages, in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not specifically stated as "before" or "prior to," and that the process may be performed in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a later process. Even if the operational flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that the process must be performed in this order. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 100 image display device, 110 flexible display, 120 deformation unit, 122 housing, 124 servo motor, 130 recognition unit, 140 directional speaker, 150 communication unit, 200 control unit, 1200 computer, 1210 host controller, 1212 CPU, 1214 RAM, 1216 graphic controller, 1220 input / output controller, 1222 communication interface, 1224 storage device, 1230 ROM, 1240 input / output chip

Claims

1. A flexible display, A deformation unit that deforms the shape of the flexible display; a control unit that causes the deformation unit to deform a shape of the flexible display in accordance with at least one of a surrounding situation of the flexible display and a display content of the flexible display; A video display device comprising:

2. A recognition unit that recognizes the surroundings of the flexible display. Equipped with The image display device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit causes the deformation unit to deform the shape of the flexible display in accordance with the surrounding situation of the flexible display recognized by the recognition unit.

3. The recognition unit recognizes a person viewing the flexible display, The image display device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit causes the deformation unit to deform a shape of the flexible display in accordance with a recognition result of a person viewing the flexible display by the recognition unit.

4. 4. The image display device of claim 3, wherein when the number of people viewing the flexible display recognized by the recognition unit is less than a predetermined first number, the control unit causes the deformation unit to deform the shape of the flexible display so that the cross section of the flexible display becomes a horizontally convex shape protruding toward the display surface side.

5. 5. The image display device of claim 4, wherein when the number of people viewing the flexible display recognized by the recognition unit is greater than a predetermined second number, the control unit causes the deformation unit to deform the shape of the flexible display so that the cross section of the flexible display becomes a horizontally concave shape that is recessed toward the display surface side.

6. The image display device according to claim 3 , wherein the control unit causes the deformation unit to deform a shape of the flexible display in accordance with display content displayed on the flexible display and attributes of a person viewing the flexible display recognized by the recognition unit.

7. The image display device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit causes the deformation unit to deform a shape of the flexible display so that a position of the flexible display corresponding to a person viewing the flexible display whose attributes correspond to the displayed content protrudes into a horizontally convex shape.

8. 4. The image display device of claim 3, wherein when the recognition unit recognizes a person whose eye height is higher than the height of the flexible display and a person whose eye height is lower than the height of the flexible display, the control unit causes the deformation unit to deform the shape of the flexible display so that the shape of the flexible display becomes a vertical convex shape in which the vertical cross-section of the flexible display protrudes toward the display surface side, or a vertical concave shape in which the vertical cross-section of the flexible display recedes toward the display surface side.

9. The recognition unit recognizes wind around the flexible display, The image display device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit causes the deformation unit to deform the shape of the flexible display in accordance with a result of the recognition of wind around the flexible display by the recognition unit.

10. The image display device according to claim 9 , wherein the control unit controls the deformation unit to dynamically deform a shape of the flexible display in accordance with a strength of wind around the flexible display so that the flexible display flutters.

11. The recognition unit recognizes light incident on the flexible display, The image display device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit causes the deformation unit to deform a shape of the flexible display in response to a recognition result of the recognition unit that recognizes light incident on the flexible display.

12. The image display device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls the deformation unit to deform a shape of the flexible display in accordance with a display content of the flexible display.

13. The image display device according to claim 12, wherein the control unit, when the display content of the flexible display is a 3D image, causes the deformation unit to deform the shape of the flexible display so that a cross section of the flexible display becomes L-shaped.

14. The image display device according to claim 12 , wherein, when displaying content that flutters in the wind on the flexible display, the control unit causes the deformation unit to dynamically deform a shape of the flexible display so that the flexible display flutters.

15. the flexible display is a touch-sensitive display; The image display device according to claim 12, wherein the control unit causes the deformation unit to deform a shape of the flexible display so that a display position of the content for touch operation on the flexible display protrudes toward a display surface when touch operation content that accepts touch operations by a user is displayed on the flexible display.

16. A plurality of directional speakers that output sound in different directions based on the position of the flexible display. Equipped with The image display device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls audio output from the plurality of directional speakers in accordance with a shape of the flexible display.

17. A flexible display, a deformation unit that deforms the shape of the flexible display; A video display device comprising: A program for causing the deformation unit to execute a control step of deforming the shape of the flexible display in accordance with at least one of the surrounding conditions of the flexible display and the display content of the flexible display.

18. 1. An image display method executed by an image display device including a flexible display and a deformation unit that deforms a shape of the flexible display, A control step of causing the deformation unit to deform the shape of the flexible display according to at least one of a surrounding situation of the flexible display and a display content of the flexible display. A video display method comprising:

Images