Display system, image processing device, and method for generating correction data

Abstract

To provide a display system, an image processing device, and a method for generating correction data, with which a display image does not become less visible due to overlapping of a display image in a display part visible through micro-pores of a coated surface and a pattern on the coated surface.SOLUTION: In a display system, a front face of a display part of a display device 2 is covered with an instrument panel 3 having a pattern with a large number of micro-pores. In the display system, an image processing device 1 corrects image data to be displayed in the display part by using correction data, the correction data being data that is generated according to tone reversal of data of luminance distribution appearing on the instrument panel 3 when displaying the whole display part uniformly with the same color. Accordingly, correction being equivalent to cancellation of the pattern of the instrument panel 3 is applied to the image data to be displayed in the display part of the display device 2 by the image processing device 1, thereby reducing the problem in which a display image seen through the micro-pores becomes less visible due to overlapping with the pattern of the instrument panel 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display system, an image processing device, and a method for generating correction data, and is particularly suitable for use in a display system in which the front surface of a display unit is covered by a patterned covering surface having a plurality of fine holes, and in an image processing device and a method for generating correction data applied thereto. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technology that provides necessary visual information through a display when in use, and makes it appear as if the display does not exist when not in use (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The in-vehicle display device described in Patent Document 1 is embedded in a wood-grain panel of the vehicle's instrument panel, and the front of the display, which emits display light to the outside when lit, is covered with a wood-grain patterned screen having a large number of fine holes that can transmit the display light. As a result, when the display is lit, the screen can be seen through the fine holes in the screen, while when the display is not lit, the wood-grain screen hides the display, so that the entire instrument panel, including the part where the display is embedded, is unified with a wood-grain pattern.

[0003] In recent years, this technology, which allows images to be displayed on a display only when necessary, is called Shytech, and has attracted attention as a technology that allows screens to be displayed in interior parts with patterns such as wood grain or fabric. However, because the interior parts where Shytech is implemented are not display spaces optimized for screen display, there has been a problem in that the image displayed on the screen may overlap with the pattern of the interior parts, making the displayed image difficult to see. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-331132 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and aims to reduce the problem in a display system in which the front of a display unit is covered by a patterned covering surface having a large number of micropores, where the display image of the display unit seen through the micropores overlaps with the pattern of the covering surface, making the displayed image difficult to see. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the present invention, in a display system in which the front surface of a display unit is covered by a patterned covering surface having a large number of fine holes, data generated by inverting the luminance distribution data appearing on the covering surface when the entire display unit is displayed uniformly in the same color is used as correction data, and image data to be displayed on the display unit is corrected using the correction data. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention configured as described above, the image data to be displayed on the display unit is corrected so as to cancel out the pattern of the covering surface, thereby reducing the problem of the display image on the display unit seen through the micropores overlapping with the pattern of the covering surface, making the displayed image difficult to see, and improving the quality of the displayed image. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a display system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the instrument panel as viewed from the front. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining a method of generating correction data according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5]6A to 6C are diagrams illustrating an example of correction processing by an image processing unit of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a display system according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, as an example, a configuration in which the display system is applied to the inside of a vehicle is shown. As shown in Fig. 1, the display system of this embodiment is configured to include an image processing device 1, a display device 2, and an instrument panel (hereinafter abbreviated as instrument panel) 3.

[0010] The image processing device 1 is a device that generates image data to be displayed on a display unit of the display device 2, and supplies the generated image data to the display device 2. For example, the image processing device 1 inputs image data generated by an in-vehicle device (not shown), corrects the input image data based on correction data, and supplies the corrected image data to the display device 2. Alternatively, the image processing device 1 may store an application program for image generation, correct image data generated by executing the application program based on correction data, and supply the corrected image data to the display device 2.

[0011] The display device 2 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or an LED display, and includes a light source unit, a drive unit, and a display unit. The display device 2 receives image data from the image processing device 1, and controls the light source unit and the drive unit based on the image data to display an image based on the image data on the display unit. The display unit is configured to include a display panel.

[0012] The instrument panel 3 corresponds to a covered surface in the claims, and the display device 2 is installed on the back side of the instrument panel 3 (inside the dashboard or console in which the instrument panel 3 is installed), and the front of the display unit of the display device 2 is covered by the instrument panel 3. The display unit of the display device 2 and the instrument panel 3 do not need to be the same size, and it is sufficient that the entire display unit is covered by the instrument panel 3.

[0013] The instrument panel 3 is given a desired pattern such as a wood grain pattern or a fabric pattern. The instrument panel 3 also has a large number of fine holes that can transmit the display light outputted through the display unit. When the light source unit of the display device 2 is turned on, the display light from the display unit transmits forward through the fine holes in the instrument panel 3, making it possible to see the displayed image on the display unit through the instrument panel 3. On the other hand, when the light source unit is not turned on, no image is visible on the instrument panel 3, and the entire instrument panel 3 is unified with a wood grain pattern or the like.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a front view showing the state when the instrument panel 3 is seen from the front, Fig. 2(a) shows the state when the light source unit is not lit, and Fig. 2(b) shows the state when the light source unit is lit. Note that Fig. 2(b) shows the state when an image based on uncorrected image data is displayed.

[0015] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the image processing device 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the image processing device 1 of this embodiment includes a correction data storage unit 11 and an image processing unit 12. The image processing unit 12 executes the processes described below by cooperation between hardware and software. For example, the processes of the image processing unit 12 are executed by a program stored in a storage medium such as a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk, or a semiconductor memory under the control of a microcomputer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. In addition to the microcomputer, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and the like may be included.

[0016] The correction data storage unit 11 stores correction data that has been generated in advance, for example, when the display system is manufactured or installed in a vehicle. The correction data is generated by performing gradation inversion on the data of the luminance distribution that appears on the instrument panel 3 when the entire display unit is displayed uniformly in the same color under conditions where the ambient illuminance of the instrument panel 3 is controlled to be in a specified state.

[0017] Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method for generating correction data. The correction data is generated, for example, by an image analysis device (not shown). Fig. 4(a) is a front view showing the state in which the instrument panel 3 is seen from the front, and shows the state when the light source unit of the display device 2 is not lit. As described above, when the light source unit is not lit, no image is visible on the instrument panel 3, and the entire instrument panel 3 is unified with a pattern such as a wood grain pattern.

[0018] First, under conditions where the ambient illuminance of the instrument panel 3 shown in Fig. 4(a) is controlled to be in a predetermined state, the entire display section of the display device 2 is uniformly displayed in white, and the instrument panel 3 is photographed from the front of the instrument panel 3 by a camera (step S1). The conditions where the ambient illuminance of the instrument panel 3 is controlled to be in a predetermined state refer to, for example, a condition where the surface of the instrument panel 3 is uniformly irradiated with external light at a predetermined illuminance in a dark room.

[0019] In this manner, under conditions where the ambient illuminance is controlled, the display device 2 displays a solid white image (hereinafter referred to as a white image) on the entire surface of the display section. As a result, the display light of the white image is transmitted forward through the fine holes in the instrument panel 3, so that the white image and the pattern of the instrument panel 3 are seen overlapping from the front of the instrument panel 3. The instrument panel 3 in this state is photographed from the front by a camera.

[0020] Next, the image analysis device analyzes the captured image data of the instrument panel 3 to obtain luminance distribution data of the surface of the instrument panel 3 (step S2). Fig. 4(b) shows the luminance distribution data obtained in this way, that is, the luminance distribution data of the surface of the instrument panel 3 obtained when a white image is displayed on the entire display unit under a condition in which the ambient illuminance of the instrument panel 3 is controlled to be in a predetermined state. The luminance distribution data obtained here is the luminance distribution data of the region of the entire surface of the instrument panel 3 that faces the entire surface of the display unit.

[0021] Next, the image analysis device generates correction data by performing gradation inversion on the luminance distribution data of the instrument panel 3 (step S3). Fig. 4(c) shows the correction data generated by performing gradation inversion (negative-positive inversion) on the luminance distribution data of Fig. 4(b).

[0022] In this embodiment, the data generated as described above is stored as correction data in the correction data storage unit 11. Since the pattern of the instrument panel 3 mounted on each vehicle differs from vehicle to vehicle, correction data reflecting the pattern of the instrument panel 3 is generated for each display system mounted on each vehicle and stored in the correction data storage unit 11 of each vehicle. Note that the generation of the correction data as described above may be performed by the image processing device 1.

[0023] Returning to Fig. 3, the image processing unit 12 corrects image data to be displayed on the display unit of the display device 2 with correction data read from the correction data storage unit 11. In the example of Fig. 3, the image processing unit 12 performs correction on the original image data input from the vehicle-mounted device 100 based on the correction data stored in the correction data storage unit 11, and supplies the corrected image data (hereinafter referred to as corrected image data) to the display device 2. For example, the image processing unit 12 performs a process of superimposing the correction data on the original image data as the correction process.

[0024] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of correction processing by the image processing unit 12. Fig. 5(a) shows original image data input to the image processing unit 12, and Fig. 5(b) shows correction data stored in the correction data storage unit 11. The image processing unit 12 performs processing to superimpose the correction data of Fig. 5(b) on the original image data of Fig. 5(a). Fig. 5(c) shows corrected image data generated by this correction. Fig. 5(d) shows the state in which the instrument panel 3 is seen from the front when a corrected image based on the corrected image data is displayed on the display unit of the display device 2.

[0025] The corrected image data shown in Fig. 5(c) is image data that has been corrected to cancel out the pattern of the instrument panel 3 from the original image data in Fig. 5(a). Therefore, when a corrected image based on this corrected image data is displayed on a display unit, the pattern of the instrument panel 3 becomes difficult to see due to the components of the correction data contained in the corrected image seen through the fine holes in the instrument panel 3, and the original image becomes easy to see without being obstructed by the pattern of the instrument panel 3, as shown in Fig. 5(d).

[0026] The ambient illuminance of the instrument panel 3 varies depending on the situation when the display system is used inside the vehicle (time of day, driving location, weather, etc.). Therefore, an illuminance meter for measuring the ambient illuminance of the instrument panel 3 may be installed inside the vehicle, and the image processing unit 12 may correct the image data using correction data corresponding to the ambient illuminance of the instrument panel 3 measured by the illuminance meter.

[0027] As an example, a plurality of correction data generated under a plurality of conditions with different ambient illuminance of the instrument panel 3 are stored in the correction data storage unit 11 in association with the corresponding ambient illuminance. Specifically, for example, when the display system is manufactured or mounted on a vehicle, the illuminance of external light irradiating the surface of the instrument panel 3 in a dark room is changed, and a plurality of correction data corresponding to each ambient illuminance is generated and stored in the correction data storage unit 11. Then, when the display system is used, the image processing unit 12 reads out the correction data corresponding to the ambient illuminance measured by an illuminance meter from the correction data storage unit 11, and corrects the image data using the read correction data.

[0028] There may be a case where the ambient illuminances associated with the correction data stored in the correction data storage unit 11 do not match the ambient illuminance measured by the illuminance meter. In this case, the image processing unit 12 uses, for example, the correction data associated with the ambient illuminance closest to the ambient illuminance measured by the illuminance meter. Alternatively, the image data may be corrected using the average value or median value of two correction data associated with two ambient illuminances closest to the ambient illuminance measured by the illuminance meter. The average value or median value here may be calculated for each pixel of the correction data, or may be calculated for each block consisting of multiple neighboring pixels.

[0029] As another example, the following may be used. That is, one piece of correction data generated under conditions in which the ambient illuminance of the instrument panel 3 is controlled to be in a predetermined state is stored in the correction data storage unit 11. Specifically, as described above, for example, when the display system is manufactured or mounted on a vehicle, the external light irradiated on the surface of the instrument panel 3 in a dark room is set to a predetermined illuminance, and correction data is generated under that condition and stored in the correction data storage unit 11. Then, when the display system is used, the image processing unit 12 adjusts the correction data read from the correction data storage unit 11 based on a predetermined function in which the ambient illuminance measured by an illuminance meter is used as an explanatory variable, and corrects the image data using the adjusted correction data.

[0030] The predetermined function used here can be obtained, for example, as follows. That is, a plurality of correction data are generated under a plurality of conditions with different ambient illuminances of the instrument panel 3, and an interpolation function is obtained from the plurality of ambient illuminances and the plurality of correction data used at that time. This interpolation function may be calculated for each pixel of the correction data, or may be calculated for each block consisting of a group of a plurality of neighboring pixels. In addition, the interpolation function may be a function expressed by a polynomial, or may be an approximation function using a lookup table.

[0031] As described above in detail, in this embodiment, in a display system in which the front of the display unit of the display device 2 is covered by a patterned covering surface (instrument panel 3) having a large number of fine holes, data generated by inverting the luminance distribution data appearing on the surface of the instrument panel 3 when the entire display unit is displayed uniformly in the same color is used as correction data, and image data to be displayed on the display unit is corrected using the correction data.

[0032] According to the present embodiment configured as described above, the image data to be displayed on the display unit is corrected so as to cancel out the pattern of the instrument panel 3. This reduces the problem that the display image of the display unit seen through the fine holes overlaps with the pattern of the instrument panel 3, making the displayed image difficult to see, and improves the quality of the displayed image.

[0033] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which an image of the same color is uniformly displayed on the entire display unit as a white image, but the display color is not limited to white. For example, the display color may be gray or a color similar to the color of the instrument panel 3.

[0034] In the above embodiment, the display system of the present embodiment is applied to the inside of a vehicle, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to a portable display system that is configured to be portable including the image processing device 1, the display device 2, and the covering surface, and is not limited to a display system in which the display device 2 is built and fixed inside a dashboard or the like.

[0035] In addition, the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples of the implementation of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited thereby. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist or main characteristics thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1 Image processing device 2 Display device 3. Instrument panel (covered surface) 11 Correction data storage unit 12 Image processing section

Claims

1. A display system in which a front surface of a display unit is covered with a patterned covering surface having a large number of micropores, a correction data storage unit that stores correction data generated by performing gray-scale inversion on data of a luminance distribution that appears on the covering surface when the entire display unit is uniformly displayed in the same color; and an image processing unit that corrects image data to be displayed on the display unit using the correction data read from the correction data storage unit; A display system comprising:

2. 2. The display system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit corrects the image data using correction data corresponding to the ambient illuminance of the coated surface measured by an illuminance meter.

3. the correction data storage unit stores a plurality of correction data generated under a plurality of conditions in which the ambient illuminance of the covering surface is different, in association with the corresponding ambient illuminance; The image processing unit reads out correction data corresponding to the ambient illuminance measured by the illuminance meter from the correction data storage unit, and corrects the image data using the read correction data.

3. The display system according to claim 2.

4. the correction data storage unit stores correction data generated under a condition in which the ambient illuminance of the covering surface is controlled to be in a predetermined state; The image processing unit adjusts the correction data read from the correction data storage unit based on a predetermined function having the ambient illuminance measured by the illuminance meter as an explanatory variable, and corrects the image data using the adjusted correction data.

3. The display system according to claim 2.

5. An image processing device applied to a display system in which a front surface of a display unit is covered with a patterned covering surface having a large number of micropores, a correction data storage unit that stores correction data generated by performing gray-scale inversion on data of a luminance distribution that appears on the covering surface when the entire display unit is uniformly displayed in the same color; and an image processing unit that corrects image data to be displayed on the display unit using the correction data read from the correction data storage unit; 13. An image processing device comprising:

6. 1. A method for generating correction data used to correct image data to be displayed on a display unit in a display system in which a front surface of a display unit is covered with a patterned covering surface having a large number of micropores, comprising: taking an image of the covered surface from a front side of the covered surface in a state where the entire display unit is uniformly displayed in the same color; acquiring luminance distribution data from the captured image data of the coated surface; generating the correction data by performing gray-scale inversion of the luminance distribution data; A method for generating correction data comprising:

Images