Image display device and abnormality monitoring system of image display device

Abstract

To provide an image display device capable of rapidly detecting an abnormality that is difficult to be found by visual observation.SOLUTION: An image display device 100 includes multiple display panels 1, a power supply section 20, an image data input section 30, a predicted current amount calculation section 33, an actual measurement current amount measurement section 24, a current comparison section 34, and an abnormality determination section 35. The respective display panels 1 have multiple light emitting elements L. The power supply section 20 supplies power for displaying images on the respective display panels 1. The image data input section 30 inputs image data for displaying images on the respective display panels 1. The predicted current amount calculation section 33 calculates a predicted current amount in the respective display panels 1 on the basis of image data inputted to the respective display panels 1. The actual measurement current amount measurement section 24 measures an actual measurement current amount in the respective display panels 1. The current comparison section 34 compares the predicted current amount and the actual measurement current amount in the respective display panels 1. The abnormality determination section 35 determines an abnormality in the respective display panels 1 on the basis of a comparison result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image display device and an abnormality monitoring system for the image display device. [Background technology]

[0002] The image display device described in Patent Document 1 includes a circuit configuration for determining an abnormality. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-125540 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, the image display device described in Patent Document 1 requires a separate operation during maintenance and inspection in order to determine the presence or absence of an abnormality.

[0005] Therefore, in the image display device described in Patent Document 1, because of the operations required during separate maintenance and inspection, it is not possible to quickly determine abnormalities that are difficult to find visually.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an image display device and an abnormality monitoring system for an image display device that are capable of quickly detecting abnormalities that are difficult to find visually. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an image display device includes a plurality of display panels, a power supply unit, an image data input unit, a predicted current amount calculation unit, an actual current amount measurement unit, a current comparison unit, and an abnormality determination unit. The plurality of display panels include a plurality of light-emitting elements. The power supply unit supplies power to each of the plurality of display panels for displaying an image. The image data input unit inputs image data for displaying an image to each of the plurality of display panels. The predicted current amount calculation unit calculates a predicted current amount in each of the plurality of display panels based on the image data input to each of the plurality of display panels. The actual current amount measurement unit measures an actual current amount for each of the plurality of display panels. The current comparison unit compares the predicted current amount and the actual current amount for each of the plurality of display panels. The abnormality determination unit determines an abnormality in each of the plurality of display panels based on a result of the comparison. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the image display device of the present invention, abnormalities that are difficult to find visually can be quickly detected. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an image display device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image display device focusing on one module. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image display device focusing on one module. [Figure 4] 4 is an enlarged block diagram showing the FPGA and one display panel of FIG. 3. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image display device. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an image display device and an abnormality monitoring system thereof according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description will not be repeated. In addition, even if the terms "vertical" or "horizontal" meaning a specific position and direction are used in the following description, these terms are used for convenience to facilitate understanding of the contents of the embodiment, and are not related to the directions when actually implemented. <Embodiment 1>

[0011] An image display device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0012] First, an overview of an image display device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image display device 100 according to an embodiment 1. The image display device 100 is also called a video wall or a light-emitting element display device.

[0013] 1, an image display device 100 includes, for example, a plurality of modules 10. Each module 10 is supplied with power from a power supply unit 20. Each module 10 receives image data from an image data input unit 30 under the control of a control unit 3.

[0014] Hereinafter, the image display device 100 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, focusing on one module 10. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the image display device 100 focusing on one module 10. Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the image display device 100 focusing on one module 10.

[0015] 2, the image display device 100 includes a plurality of display panels 1, the above-mentioned power supply unit 20, and image data input unit 30. One module 10 has a plurality of display panels 1.

[0016] Each of the multiple display panels 1 has multiple light-emitting elements L. A power supply unit 20 supplies power for displaying an image to each of the multiple display panels 1. An image data input unit 30 inputs image data for displaying an image to each of the multiple display panels 1.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the image display device 100 further includes a predicted current amount calculation section 33, an actual current amount measurement section 24, a current comparison section 34, and an abnormality determination section 35.

[0018] The predicted current amount calculation unit 33 calculates a predicted current amount in each of the plurality of display panels 1 based on image data input to each of the plurality of display panels 1. The actual current amount measurement unit 24 measures the actual current amount for each of the plurality of display panels 1.

[0019] The current comparison section 34 compares the predicted current amount with the actually measured current amount in each of the plurality of display panels 1. The abnormality determination section 35 determines an abnormality in each of the plurality of display panels 1 based on the result of the comparison.

[0020] Therefore, while each of the multiple display panels 1 displays an image, the predicted current amount is compared with the actually measured current amount to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in each of the multiple display panels 1. As a result, the image display device 100 can quickly detect an abnormality that is difficult to find visually.

[0021] Each module 10 will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 3, each module 10 has a plurality of display panels 1, for example, eight panels. Although the eight display panels 1 are shown stacked in Fig. 3 for convenience, they are actually arranged in a 2 x 4 matrix. The display panel 1 is also called a pixel card. The display panel 1 is a collective circuit of light-emitting elements L. The light-emitting elements L are preferably LED (Light-Emitting Diode) elements.

[0023] Each module 10 further includes a HUB 11, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) 13, and a power supply board 12.

[0024] The HUB 11 receives image data (video signals) to be displayed on all modules 10 from the image data input unit 30 directly or via an adjacent module 10. The HUB 11 branches the image data to be displayed on each module 10 from the image data (video signals) to be displayed on all modules 10. The HUB 11 transmits the image data to be displayed on each module 10 to the FPGA 13 by LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling). On the other hand, the HUB 11 transmits the image data (video signals) to be displayed on all modules 10 to the other modules 10 as well.

[0025] The FPGA 13 is a device that integrates logic circuits (gates). The FPGA 13 also has memory elements. The memory elements are logic circuits that temporarily store necessary data, such as flip-flops.

[0026] The FPGA 13 has an image data extraction unit 31, and the above-mentioned predicted current amount calculation unit 33, current comparison unit 34, and abnormality determination unit 35. Having the predicted current amount calculation unit 33, current comparison unit 34, and abnormality determination unit 35 in the FPGA 13 has the following two advantages. The first advantage is that it becomes unnecessary to provide separate devices for the predicted current amount calculation unit 33, current comparison unit 34, and abnormality determination unit 35. The second advantage is that abnormality determination becomes even quicker.

[0027] The image data cutout unit 31 receives image data to be displayed on each module 10 from the HUB 11. The image data cutout unit 31 cuts out image data to be displayed on each display panel 1 from the image data to be displayed on each module 10. The image data cutout unit 31 transmits the image data to be displayed on each display panel 1 to each display panel 1 via an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) bus.

[0028] Power is supplied to the power supply board 12 from the power supply unit 20 directly or via an adjacent module 10. The power supply board 12 has a power relay, not shown. The power supply board 12 distributes and supplies the supplied power to each display panel 1 by the power relay. On the other hand, the power supply board 12 also supplies the supplied power to other modules 10.

[0029] Hereinafter, the details of the configuration for determining an abnormality will be described with reference to Fig. 4, focusing on one display panel 1. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an enlarged view of the FPGA 13 and one display panel 1 in Fig. 3.

[0030] First, image data input to one display panel 1 will be described.

[0031] Image data input to one display panel 1 has information for each light-emitting element L constituting one display panel 1. Each light-emitting element L is a pixel, and therefore displays one color. The one color displayed by each light-emitting element L is a combination of multiple primary colors. The gradation of each of the multiple combined primary colors is set depending on the color to be displayed by the light-emitting element L. Therefore, the information for each light-emitting element L in the image data is the gradation set for each of the multiple primary colors, and the maximum gradation that can be set.

[0032] Here, a specific example focusing on one light-emitting element L will be described. The multiple primary colors to be combined are R (Red), G (Green), and B (Blue). For each of the multiple (three) primary colors, the maximum gradation that can be set is 256. Therefore, for each of the multiple primary colors, the gradation that is set is any one of 0 to 256 gradations. For example, as shown in Table 1, the gradations that are set are 64 gradations for R (Red), 128 gradations for G (Green), and 32 gradations for B (Blue).

[0033] [Table 1]

[0034] In the predicted current calculation unit 33, the value of the maximum current amount for each primary color is input in advance. The predicted current calculation unit 33 calculates the predicted current amount in each light-emitting element L for each primary color (hereinafter, individual predicted current amount). Specifically, the predicted current calculation unit 33 multiplies the maximum current amount value for each primary color by a value obtained by dividing the set gradation by the maximum gradation that can be set. In this way, the predicted current calculation unit 33 calculates the individual predicted current amount for each primary color. Then, the predicted current calculation unit 33 calculates the individual predicted current amount in one light-emitting element L of interest from the sum of the individual predicted current amounts for each primary color.

[0035] In the specific example shown in Table 1, the predicted current amount calculation unit 33 multiplies the maximum current amount of 20mA for R (red) by the value obtained by dividing the set tone of 64 by the maximum settable tone of 256. As a result, the individual predicted current amount for R (red) is 20mA×64 / 256 (i.e., 5mA). Similarly, the predicted current amount calculation unit 33 multiplies the maximum current amount of 20mA for G (green) by the value obtained by dividing the set tone of 128 by the maximum settable tone of 256. As a result, the individual predicted current amount for G (green) is 20mA×128 / 256 (i.e., 10mA). Similarly, the predicted current amount calculation unit 33 multiplies the maximum current amount of 20mA for B (blue) by the value obtained by dividing the set tone of 32 by the maximum settable tone of 256. As a result, the individual predicted current amount for B (blue) is 20mA×32 / 256 (i.e., 2.5mA). The predicted current amount calculation unit 33 then calculates 5mA+10mA+2.5mA (i.e., 17.5mA) as the sum of the individual predicted current amounts for each primary color. 17.5mA is the individual predicted current amount for one light-emitting element L targeted by Table 1.

[0036] The predicted current amount calculation unit 33 calculates an individual predicted current amount for each light-emitting element L in all light-emitting elements L of a single target display panel 1. Then, the predicted current amount calculation unit 33 calculates a predicted current amount from the sum of the individual predicted current amounts for each light-emitting element L in a single target display panel 1.

[0037] The actual current amount measuring unit 24 is an ammeter. Although details of the actual current amount measuring unit 24 are omitted in FIG.

[0038] The actual current amount measuring unit 24 has a shunt resistor and a voltage measuring unit, not shown. The shunt resistors are provided in series in the paths along which power is supplied from the power supply board 12 to each display panel 1. The voltage measuring unit measures the voltage difference across the shunt resistor. The actual current amount is measured from the resistance value of the shunt resistor and the voltage difference measured by the voltage measuring unit. The measured actual current amount is converted into digital data by an ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter), not shown, and input to the current comparing unit 34.

[0039] The current comparison unit 34 compares the predicted current amount with the actual measured current amount by dividing the actual measured current amount by the predicted current amount. The current comparison unit 34 transmits the value obtained by dividing the actual measured current amount by the predicted current amount, i.e., the ratio of the actual measured current amount to the predicted current amount, to the abnormality determination unit 35.

[0040] The abnormality determination unit 35 determines that the display panel 1 is abnormal when the ratio of the actually measured current amount to the predicted current amount exceeds a first threshold value.

[0041] Therefore, when the measured current amount is large enough to be a malfunction, that is, when the display panel 1 is bright enough to be a malfunction, an abnormality is determined. The image display device 100 can quickly detect the abnormality that the display panel 1 is bright enough to be a malfunction.

[0042] The abnormality determination unit 35 determines that the display panel 1 is abnormal when the ratio of the actually measured current amount to the predicted current amount is smaller than a second threshold value.

[0043] Therefore, when the measured current amount is small enough to be a malfunction, that is, when the display panel 1 is dark enough to be a malfunction, an abnormality is determined. The image display device 100 can quickly detect an abnormality in which the display panel 1 is dark enough to be a malfunction.

[0044] The first threshold value is, for example, preferably any of 120 to 140%, and more preferably 130%. The second threshold value is, for example, preferably any of 60 to 80%, and more preferably 70%.

[0045] The abnormality determination unit 35 may be configured to set both the first threshold value and the second threshold value, or may be configured to set only one of them.

[0046] The operation of the image display device 100 will be described below with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image display device 100.

[0047] 5, in step S1, the power supply board 12 supplies power to the display panel 1. In step S2, the FPGA 13 inputs image data to the display panel 1. In step S3, the display panel 1 displays an image based on the input image data. Each of the multiple light-emitting elements L constituting the display panel 1 displays a color as a pixel.

[0048] In step S4, the predicted current amount calculation unit 33 selects one light-emitting element L for which an individual predicted current amount has not been calculated. In step S5, the predicted current amount calculation unit 33 calculates the individual predicted current amount of the selected light-emitting element L. In step S6, the predicted current amount calculation unit 33 calculates the sum of the individual predicted current amounts calculated so far in one target display panel 1.

[0049] In step S7, the predicted current amount calculation unit 33 determines whether there is any light-emitting element L for which the individual predicted current amount has not been calculated. If there is any light-emitting element L for which the individual predicted current amount has not been calculated (Yes in step S7), the process returns to step S4. If there is no light-emitting element L for which the individual predicted current amount has not been calculated (No in step S7), the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the predicted current amount calculation unit 33 sets the sum of the individual predicted current amounts as the predicted current amount.

[0050] In step S9, the actual current amount measuring unit 24 measures the actual current amount of power supplied to one display panel 1 of interest.

[0051] In step S10, the current comparison unit 34 compares the predicted current amount with the actual current amount by dividing the actual current amount by the predicted current amount.

[0052] In step S11, the abnormality determination unit 35 determines whether the ratio of the actual measured current amount to the predicted current amount exceeds a first threshold. If the ratio of the actual measured current amount to the predicted current amount exceeds the first threshold (Yes in step S11), the process proceeds to step S12. If the ratio of the actual measured current amount to the predicted current amount does not exceed the first threshold (No in step S11), the process proceeds to step S13.

[0053] In step S12, the abnormality determination unit 35 determines that the display panel 1 in question is bright enough to be defective, and determines that an abnormality exists. After step S12, the process proceeds to step S15.

[0054] In step S13, the abnormality determination unit 35 determines whether the ratio of the actual measured current amount to the predicted current amount is less than the second threshold. If the ratio of the actual measured current amount to the predicted current amount is less than the second threshold (Yes in step S13), the process proceeds to step S14. If the ratio of the actual measured current amount to the predicted current amount is not less than the second threshold (No in step S13), the process proceeds to step S15.

[0055] In step S14, the abnormality determination unit 35 determines that the display panel 1 in question is dark to a degree corresponding to a defect, and determines that an abnormality exists. After step S14, the process proceeds to step S15.

[0056] In step S15, if the power remains ON (Yes in step S15), the process returns to step S1, and if the power is OFF (No in step S15), the process ends. <Embodiment 2>

[0057] Next, an image display device 100 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The image display device 100 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a notification unit 50. The differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be described below. Fig. 6 is a block diagram of the image display device 100 and its abnormality monitoring system 200 according to the second embodiment.

[0058] 6, the image display device 100 further includes a notification section 50. The notification section 50 issues a notification to the outside when the abnormality determination section 35 determines an abnormality.

[0059] Therefore, when an abnormality is detected, the image display device 100 notifies the outside, so that an abnormality that is difficult to find visually can be detected extremely quickly.

[0060] The notification by the notification unit 50 is by sending an alert or an e-mail, etc. For example, the notification by the notification unit 50 is performed by sending an abnormality signal to the outside, etc.

[0061] Next, an abnormality monitoring system 200 for the image display device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Below, the points added to the abnormality monitoring system 200 from the second embodiment will be described.

[0062] 6, the abnormality monitoring system 200 for the image display device 100 includes the image display device 100 and a monitoring center 150. The monitoring center 150 monitors the image display device 100. When the abnormality determination unit 35 determines an abnormality, the notification unit 50 notifies the monitoring center 150.

[0063] Therefore, when an abnormality is detected, the abnormality monitoring system 200 for the image display device 100 notifies the monitoring center 150, and therefore, it is possible to extremely quickly detect an abnormality that is difficult to find visually.

[0064] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various aspects without departing from the gist of the present invention. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in each of the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all components shown in the embodiments. The drawings are mainly shown schematically for ease of understanding, and the thickness, length, number, spacing, etc. of each component shown in the drawings are different from the actual ones due to the convenience of drawing. In addition, the shapes, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are examples and are not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible within a range that does not substantially deviate from the configuration of the present invention.

[0065] (1) In the first embodiment, the image display device 100 is described as including a plurality of modules 10. The image display device 100 may include a single module 10.

[0066] (2) In Fig. 2, the module 10 is shown as having 2 vertical by 4 horizontal (total of 8) display panels 1. The module 10 may have any other number of display panels 1 as long as it is a plurality of display panels.

[0067] (3) It is sufficient that one display panel 1 has a plurality of light-emitting elements L. For example, the number of light-emitting elements L included in one display panel 1 is 160 vertically by 160 horizontally, or 64 vertically by 64 horizontally, etc.

[0068] (4) In the first embodiment, the maximum number of gradations that can be set is described as 256 gradations (8 bits). The maximum number of gradations that can be set may be another number, such as 65536 gradations (16 bits).

[0069] (5) In the first embodiment, the primary colors to be combined are described as three colors: R (Red), G (Green), and B (Blue). The primary colors to be combined may be other primary colors or may be four or more colors. [Industrial Applicability]

[0070] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention provides an image display device and an abnormality monitoring system for the image display device, and has industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] L Light emitting element 1 Display panel 10 Modules 11 HUB 12 Power supply board 13 FPGA 20 Power supply section 24 Actual current measurement section 30 Image data input section 31 Image data extraction section 33 Predicted current calculation unit 34 Current comparison section 35 Abnormality determination section 50 Notification Department 100 Image display device 150 Surveillance Center 200 Abnormality Monitoring System

Claims

1. A plurality of display panels each having a plurality of light-emitting elements; a power supply unit that supplies power for displaying an image to each of the plurality of display panels; an image data input unit that inputs image data for displaying the image on each of the plurality of display panels; a predicted current amount calculation unit that calculates a predicted current amount in each of the plurality of display panels based on the image data input to each of the plurality of display panels; an actual current amount measuring unit that measures an actual current amount for each of the plurality of display panels; a current comparator that compares the predicted current amount with the actually measured current amount in each of the plurality of display panels; an abnormality determination unit that determines an abnormality in each of the plurality of display panels based on a result of the comparison; An image display device comprising:

2. The image display device according to claim 1 , wherein the abnormality determination unit determines that the display panel is abnormal when a ratio of the actually measured current amount to the predicted current amount exceeds a first threshold value.

3. The image display device according to claim 1 , wherein the abnormality determination unit determines that the display panel is abnormal when a ratio of the actually measured current amount to the predicted current amount is smaller than a second threshold value.

4. The image display device according to claim 1 , further comprising a notification unit that notifies an outside when the abnormality determination unit determines an abnormality.

5. The image display device according to claim 4 ; a monitoring center for monitoring the image display device; Equipped with The notification unit notifies the monitoring center when the abnormality determination unit determines an abnormality.

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