Signal processing method and signal processing device

Abstract

To provide a signal processing method and signal processing device for processing signals in response to changes in the shape of a stretchable display panel.SOLUTION: In the signal processing method, a measurement unit measures at least a portion of the shape of a display panel configured to be deformable due to its stretchability. A signal processing unit processes an image signal on the basis of the result of the measurement unit measuring the shape. The display panel displays an image on the basis of the image signal processed by the signal processing unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a signal processing method and a signal processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, commercially available thin, flat displays use rigid glass substrates, but development is also underway to create flexible displays made on thin, flexible, and bendable plastic films. Flexible displays are lightweight, easy to store, shock-resistant, and portable, and are being used in mobile devices such as smartphones.

[0003] Furthermore, in the future, studies are being conducted on the application of freeform displays, which allow the shape to be freely customized, to achieve a high sense of realism and immersion by using displays arranged to cover the field of view.

[0004] A display that covers a 360-degree field of view horizontally can be realized by bending a flexible display made of plastic film. However, to realize a display that displays a full-dome image that covers the field of view vertically as well, such as a planetarium, a display that can be deformed into a spherical shape is required, which is difficult to achieve with a flexible display made of plastic film.

[0005] Therefore, in recent years, research and development has been conducted on stretchable displays using stretchable substrates. When such stretchable devices are used, it is expected that a wide range of electronic devices can be realized, not only those that can be simply bent on one axis, but also those that can be formed into spherical surfaces or free three-dimensional shapes that can be worn directly by the human body (such as wearable devices that can be attached to the human skin). In other words, it will be possible to realize not only the aforementioned full-dome displays, but also a variety of stretchable devices.

[0006] Toward the realization of stretchable displays, various stretchable display devices with various structures have been proposed, and displays with relatively high image quality have also been developed.

[0007] For example, Patent Document 1, Non-Patent Document 1, Non-Patent Document 2, and Non-Patent Document 3 disclose techniques relating to stretchable displays using stretchable substrates. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-149364 [Non-patent literature]

[0009] [Non-Patent Document 1] Masashi Miyakawa, Hiroshi Tsuji, Mitsuru Nakata, "Highly Stretchable Metal Oxide TFTs Array Using Acrylic Adhesive for Deformable Display Applications", Proceedings of the International Display Workshops, VOL.28, pp.960-963, 2021. [Non-patent document 2] Tsuyoshi Sekitani, Hiroyoshi Nakajima, Hiroki Maeda, Takanori Fukushima, Takuzo Aida, Kenji Hata, Takao Someya,"Stretchable active-matrix organic light-emitting diode display using printable elastic conductors. Nat Mater",Vol.8,No. 6,pp.494-499,2009. [Non-patent document 3] Jiahao Kang,Haojun Luo,Weihuang Tang,Jigang Zhao,Yu-Min Wang,Tina Tsong,Ping Lu,Amit Gupta,Lu Zeng,Zhao Zhang,Jinjie Zhou,Shaowen Wang,Rui Ma,Xin Chen,Bong-Geum Lee,Ze Yuan,Peng Wei,Xiaojun Yu,"71-2: Enabling Processes and Designs for Tight-Pitch Micro‐LED based Stretchable Display. SID Symposium Digest of Technical Papers", Vol. 52, No. 1, pp. 1056-1059, 2021. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] However, although the performance of display devices has improved, the reality is that there has been little discussion about the issues of image display that correspond to the stretchability of stretchable panels.

[0011] FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the state when an image is displayed on a stretchable display of conventional technology. The original shape of the display surface of the stretchable display 930 shown in this figure is a square (rectangle). FIG. 25(A) shows a state in which the stretchable display 930 displays shapes (circles and squares) in its normal state (unstretched state). FIG. 25(B) shows a state in which the same shapes as in (A) are displayed when a pulling force is applied to the left and right ends of the stretchable display 930 in the directions of the arrows P1 and P2 (left and right directions), respectively (stretched state).

[0012] When stretchable display 930 is stretched laterally (horizontally) as shown in FIG. 1(B), the distance between pixels in the horizontal direction increases, and the display surface of stretchable display 930 stretches horizontally. However, because the image signal input to the display remains the same as in the state shown in FIG. 1(A), the displayed image (in this example, a circle and a square) stretches horizontally. This results in the problem of a distorted image being displayed. In other words, the image displayed is different from the image creator's intention. In other words, when stretchable display 930 is deformed, a distorted image is displayed on stretchable display 930.

[0013] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a signal processing method and a signal processing device for processing signals in response to changes in the shape of a stretchable display panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] [1] In order to solve the above problem, a signal processing method according to one aspect of the present invention is a signal processing method in which a measurement unit measures at least a part of the shape of a display panel that is configured to be elastic and therefore deformable, a signal processing unit processes an image signal in accordance with the result of the shape measurement by the measurement unit, and the display panel displays an image based on the image signal processed by the signal processing unit.

[0015] [2] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is that in the signal processing method of [1] above, the measurement unit measures at least a portion of the shape of the display panel based on a value of distortion of the display panel detected by a sensor provided on the display panel.

[0016] [3] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is that in the signal processing method of [2] above, the signal processing unit estimates the shape of the display panel after deformation based on the shape of the display panel before deformation and the measurement results measured by the measurement unit, and processes the image signal based on the result of the estimation.

[0017] [4] Furthermore, in one aspect of the present invention, in any one of the signal processing methods [1] to [3] above, the measurement unit estimates at least a portion of the shape of the display panel by measuring changes in the electrical resistance value of an elastic wiring formed on the display panel.

[0018] [5] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is that in the signal processing method of [4] above, the wiring is formed in one predetermined direction on the display panel or in two directions independent of each other.

[0019] [6] Another aspect of the present invention is that in the signal processing method of [5] above, the wiring is formed in the horizontal direction, or the vertical direction, or both the horizontal and vertical directions in the pixel arrangement on the display panel.

[0020] [7] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is that in the signal processing method of [4] above, the wiring is formed on a line that passes through at least three points on the display panel that are not on a straight line, and the signal processing unit estimates the shape of the display panel after deformation based on the shape of the display panel before deformation and the measurement results measured by the measurement unit, and processes the image signal based on the result of the estimation.

[0021] [8] Another aspect of the present invention is that in any of the signal processing methods [1] to [7] above, the display panel is deformed into a three-dimensional shape, and the signal processing unit estimates the shape of the display panel after deformation based on the shape of the display panel before deformation and the measurement results measured by the measurement unit, and processes the image signal based on the result of the estimation.

[0022] [9] Another aspect of the present invention is a signal processing device comprising: a display panel configured to be deformable in shape; a measurement unit that measures at least a portion of the shape of the display panel; and a signal processing unit that processes an image signal in accordance with the result of the shape measurement by the measurement unit, wherein the display panel displays an image based on the image signal processed by the signal processing unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to grasp the deformation state of a stretchable display panel and process image signals in accordance with the deformation state. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a signal processing device for executing a signal processing method according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating how the stretchable display panel according to the first embodiment can be deformed by applying a force to the panel. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram (a plan view seen from the front of a stretchable display panel 30) showing an example of a configuration in which a conductive material is provided on the stretchable display panel according to the first embodiment in order to measure the degree of stretching of the panel. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram (electrical circuit diagram) showing a measurement method when stretchable wiring is formed in the horizontal direction in the stretchable display panel according to the first embodiment and stretched in the horizontal direction. [Figure 5] 10 is a graph showing the results of an experiment in which the voltage Vh is measured when the stretching ratio of the stretchable display panel according to the first embodiment is changed variously. [Figure 6] 5 is a graph (an enlarged version of FIG. 5) showing the results of an experiment in which the voltage Vh was measured when the stretching ratio of the stretchable display panel according to the first embodiment was varied. [Figure 7] 7 is a graph plotting the relationship between the expansion rate Bh and the voltage Vh of the stretchable display panel based on the experimental results shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram (electrical circuit diagram) showing a measurement method when elastic wires 402 are formed in the vertical direction in the stretchable display panel according to the second embodiment and stretched in the vertical direction. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram (electrical circuit diagram) showing a measurement method when horizontal and vertical stretchable wires are formed in a stretchable display panel according to a third embodiment and stretching includes both horizontal and vertical components. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram (a plan view of the screen) showing an example of the shape of a stretchable display panel according to a fourth embodiment when the stretchable display panel is nonlinearly deformed by holding the four corners of the stretchable display panel and pulling it in four directions. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram (electrical circuit diagram) showing a measurement method for forming m stretchable wires in the horizontal direction and n stretchable wires 404 in the vertical direction in a stretchable display panel according to a fourth embodiment, and estimating deformation even in response to nonlinear stretching. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram (a plan view of the screen) showing an example of the shape of a stretchable display panel according to a fifth embodiment when the left and right edges of the stretchable display panel are deformed nonlinearly while maintaining their linear shapes. [Figure 13]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram (electrical circuit diagram) showing a measurement method for forming a single horizontally stretchable wiring in a stretchable display panel according to a fifth embodiment and estimating deformation in response to nonlinear stretching due to a force pulling only horizontally. [Figure 14] 10A to 10C are schematic diagrams (plan views) showing examples of various other deformation patterns of a stretchable display panel. [Figure 15] 10A to 10C are schematic diagrams (plan views) showing examples of various other deformation patterns of a stretchable display panel. [Figure 16] 10A to 10C are schematic diagrams (perspective views) showing examples of various other deformation patterns of a stretchable display panel. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram (electrical circuit diagram) showing a measurement method for forming an arbitrary number of stretchable wires in a stretchable display panel according to a sixth embodiment and estimating arbitrary deformation including three-dimensional directions. [Figure 18] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the results of panel shape measurement using a three-dimensional distortion measurement device (a stretchable display panel inflated into a hemisphere). [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the results of panel shape measurement using a three-dimensional distortion measurement device (when the stretchable display panel is flat). [Figure 20] 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of measuring the resistance value of a stretchable display panel and displaying an image (when the stretchable display panel is not deformed) according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of measuring the resistance value of a stretchable display panel and displaying an image (in a state where a part of the stretchable display panel is deformed into a hemispherical shape) according to the seventh embodiment. [Figure 22] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams showing examples of various patterns of stretchable wiring formed on a stretchable display panel. [Figure 23] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams showing examples of various patterns of stretchable wiring formed on a stretchable display panel. [Figure 24] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams showing examples of various patterns of stretchable wiring formed on a stretchable display panel. [Figure 25] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a state in which an image is displayed on a stretchable display panel according to the prior art. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Each of the embodiments described below relates to a method for detecting a deformation state of a stretchable display panel that can be deformed into various shapes, and displaying an image (still image or moving image) that corresponds to the shape of the stretchable display panel.

[0026] The stretchable display panel described in each of the following embodiments can be deformed into various shapes, such as a flat surface, a spherical surface, a freely curved surface, or a three-dimensional shape. OLEDs (organic light-emitting diodes) or LEDs (light-emitting diodes) can be used as the stretchable display panel. In the following embodiments, the deformation state of the stretchable display panel is grasped, and image signals are processed using the deformation state. One of the purposes is to display an image without distortion.

[0027] The configurations described in the following embodiments are not intended to correct small errors. Each embodiment is based on the premise that the stretchable display panel can stretch by 20% or more, for example. In some cases, it may be based on the premise that the stretchable display panel can stretch by 50% or more.

[0028] [First embodiment] The signal processing method according to this embodiment grasps the deformation state of the stretchable display panel and processes the image signal (for example, but not limited to, image deformation processing) in accordance with the grasped deformation state. This makes it possible to display an image corresponding to the deformation state of the stretchable display panel. Note that a typical example of signal processing according to the deformation state of the stretchable display panel is image deformation that cancels the deformation of the stretchable display panel. However, the signal processing method according to this embodiment is not limited to this.

[0029] In order to estimate the deformation state of the stretchable display panel, in this embodiment, for example, an element (circuit element) whose electrical characteristics change in response to the deformation of the stretchable display panel is formed in the stretchable display panel. Then, signals are processed based on the electrical characteristics obtained from the element. As the element whose electrical characteristics change in response to deformation, for example, a strain gauge or a stretchable conductor (metal, etc.) whose electrical resistance value changes with stretching can be used.

[0030] 1 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic functional configuration of a signal processing device 1 for executing a signal processing method according to a first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the signal processing device 1 includes a signal processing unit 10, a panel driving unit 20, a stretchable display panel 30, a sensor 40, and a measurement unit 50.

[0031] The signal processing unit 10 processes an image signal provided from the outside and passes the processed image signal to the panel driving unit 20. The image signal may be a signal of a still image or a signal of a moving image. The signal processing unit 10 can process the image signal based on a signal of the measurement result passed from the measuring unit 50. In other words, the signal processing unit 10 processes the image signal according to the result of shape measurement by the measuring unit 50.

[0032] The signal processing unit 10 may estimate the shape of the stretchable display panel 30 after deformation based on the shape of the stretchable display panel 30 before deformation and the measurement results measured by the measuring unit 50, and process the image signal based on the result of the estimation.

[0033] The signal processing unit 10 can also perform signal processing such as gain adjustment, color adjustment, and gamma adjustment using conventional technology. At the same time, the signal processing unit 10 can process image signals according to deformation of the shape of the stretchable display panel 30 based on signals passed from the measurement unit 50. The signal processing unit 10 also includes a deformation state estimation unit 11. The deformation state estimation unit 11 estimates the deformation state of the stretchable display panel 30 based on the measurement results received from the measurement unit 50.

[0034] For example, when the panel deformation state estimation indicates that the panel has expanded 1.5 times in the horizontal direction, the image is reduced to 1 / 1.5 of its original size in the horizontal direction. However, the content of the signal processing is not limited to correcting the length due to expansion or contraction.

[0035] As will be described later, the signal processing unit 10 estimates the deformation state of the stretchable display panel 30 based on the sensor values ​​measured by the measurement unit 50. When it is not possible to arrange many sensors on the stretchable display panel 30 due to space constraints on the stretchable display panel 30, the signal processing unit 10 estimates the deformed shape based on the values ​​of the limited sensors that can be arranged. By investigating in advance the relationship between the stretchable display panel 30 and the values ​​of the sensors that detect distortion, it becomes possible to estimate the deformed shape of the stretchable panel using information obtained from the sensors that detect distortion.

[0036] The panel driver 20 drives the stretchable display panel 30 based on the image signal passed from the signal processor 10. Specifically, the panel driver 20 scans the pixels arranged on the stretchable display panel 30 according to a predetermined timing, thereby causing the stretchable display panel 30 to display an image corresponding to the signal passed from the signal processor 10.

[0037] The stretchable display panel 30 displays an image when driven by the panel driver 20. That is, the stretchable display panel 30 displays an image based on an image signal processed by the signal processor 10. The stretchable display panel 30 is capable of stretching with a high degree of stretchability and is also flexibly deformed. The stretchable display panel 30 can be deformed to form a curved surface or bent along creases. The stretchable display panel 30 can be formed as an elastic or plastic body using existing technology.

[0038] The sensor 40 is an element built into the panel to estimate the deformation state of the panel, and includes a strain sensor such as a strain gauge that detects strain, and a stretchable conductive material whose resistance value changes with stretch. By arranging many strain sensors on the panel, it is possible to accurately measure the strain in each part of the panel, and therefore to more accurately estimate the deformed shape of the panel. For example, stretchable wiring can be used as the sensor 40. The stretchable wiring is stretchable, and its electrical resistance value changes depending on the degree of stretching.

[0039] The measuring unit 50 measures at least a portion of the shape of the stretchable display panel 30, which is configured to be deformable due to its stretchability. The measuring unit 50 measures at least a portion of the shape of the stretchable display panel 30 based on the value of the distortion of the stretchable display panel 30 detected by a sensor provided on the stretchable display panel 30. Specifically, the measuring unit 50 measures at least a portion of the shape of the stretchable display panel 30 by measuring a voltage value or an electrical resistance value, as described below. For example, the measuring unit 50 may estimate at least a portion of the shape of the stretchable display panel 30 by measuring a change in the electrical resistance value of a stretchable wiring formed on the stretchable display panel 30. The deformed shape of the panel can be obtained by acquiring the change in distortion or resistance value using an element built into the panel and estimating the deformed shape of the panel using the acquired value.

[0040] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating how a stretchable display panel 30 can be deformed by a force acting on the stretchable display panel 30. As an example, assume that forces P1 and P2 are applied to the upper portion of the stretchable display panel 30, pulling the stretchable display panel 30 to the left and right, respectively. Because the stretchable display panel 30 is stretchable, the stretchable display panel 30 expands left and right when pulled. Because the stretchable display panel 30 is elastic, the degree of expansion in the left and right directions varies depending on the position within the stretchable display panel 30. For example, in the example shown in the figure, when comparing regions 30a and 30b within the stretchable display panel 30, the degree of expansion in the left and right directions (horizontal direction) is greater in region 30a than in region 30b.

[0041] Although Figure 2 illustrates an example in which the stretchable display panel 30 is pulled outward (to the left and right) in the horizontal direction, when other forces act on the stretchable display panel 30, the stretchable display panel 30 will also deform in accordance with the direction and magnitude of each force.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram (a plan view of the stretchable display panel 30 viewed from the front) showing an example of a configuration in which a conductive material is provided on the stretchable display panel 30 in order to measure the degree of stretching of the stretchable display panel 30.

[0043] As shown in the figure, a stretchable wire (stretchable wire 401) is provided within the stretchable display panel 30. The stretchable wire 401 is formed, for example, using a stretchable metal or the like. The stretchable wire 401 may be formed specifically for estimating the deformation state of the stretchable display panel 30. The stretchable wire 401 may also be a row electrode or a column electrode formed for signals for displaying an image on the stretchable display panel 30. In the example shown in the figure, the stretchable wire 401 is provided in a substantially horizontal direction within the stretchable display panel 30.

[0044] For example, a liquid metal can be used as a stretchable metal for the stretchable wiring 401. Liquid metal is known to have stable conductive properties even at high elongation rates, and is particularly suitable for use as the stretchable wiring in the stretchable display panel 30.

[0045] The stretchable wiring 401 uses a material / element whose electrical resistance value changes as it stretches. That is, when the stretchable display panel 30 is deformed, the resistance value of the stretchable wiring 401 changes. The measuring unit 50 measures the resistance value. The signal processing unit 10 estimates, for example, the deformation state based on the resistance value measured by the measuring unit 50. Then, the signal processing unit 10 can process the image signal according to the estimated deformation state of the stretchable display panel 30.

[0046] 4 is a schematic diagram (electrical circuit diagram) showing a measurement method when a stretchable wire 401 is formed in the horizontal direction within the stretchable display panel 30 and stretched in the horizontal direction. As shown in the figure, both ends of the stretchable wire 401 are electrically connected to the measuring unit 50. The electrical resistance value of the stretchable wire 401 is expressed as r h The measurement unit 50 measures the external resistance R h and external voltage source E h The stretchable wiring 401 in the stretchable display panel 30 and the external resistor R h and the external voltage source E h The measuring unit 50 is also provided with a voltage measuring means, and is connected in series with the external resistance R h The voltage V across h Measure.

[0047] The stretch rate of the stretchable display panel 30 is B h That is, if the horizontal length of the stretchable display panel 30 in the normal state is 1, the horizontal length in the stretched state is (1+B h )

[0048] The elastic wire 401 and the external resistance R h and the external voltage source E h In the closed circuit connected to h / (R h +r h At this time, the measured voltage V h is expressed by the following equation (1).

[0049] V h =E h ×R h / (R h +r h ) (1)

[0050] That is, the measured voltage V h Based on this, the resistance value r of the elastic wiring 401 h is calculated using the following equation (2).

[0051] r h =R h ×(E h -V h ) / V h (2)

[0052] From equation (1), the external resistance R h and external voltage source E h The value of is kept constant, and the measurement voltage V h is expressed as the function f h It can be expressed using:

[0053] V h =f h (r h ) (3)

[0054] That is, the stretchable display panel 30 is stretched to a stretching ratio B h When the resistance value r of the elastic wiring 401 changes, h changes, and the measured voltage V h changes. In other words, the function h h Using (), measure the voltage V h and elongation rate B h The relationship between these can be expressed as the following equation (4):

[0055] V h =h h (B h ) (4)

[0056] Also, the function h h Inverse function h of () h -1Using (), it is expressed as equation (5).

[0057] B h =h h -1 (V h ) (5)

[0058] For example, elongation rate B h While changing the measurement voltage V h By actually measuring the function h h In other words, the measuring unit 50 can grasp the correspondence relationship between the voltage V h By measuring the elongation rate B h can be obtained.

[0059] Function h h -1 By knowing the input / output relationship of (), the measured voltage V h Based on the elongation rate B h If the horizontal length of the stretchable display panel 30 is (1+B h ) times, the signal processing unit 10 adjusts the horizontal size of the image by (1 / (1+B h In other words, the signal processing unit 10 can process the image signal so as to cancel out the deformation of the stretchable display panel 30.

[0060] 5 and 6 show the relationship between the voltage V and the stretchable display panel 30 when the stretch ratio is changed. h6 is a graph showing the results of an experiment measuring the voltage. In these graphs, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents the measured voltage. The graph in FIG. 6 is an enlarged version of the graph in FIG. 5 for a specific voltage range. In this experiment, the stretchable display panel 30 was stretched horizontally, then temporarily shrunk to its original size to return to its unstretched state, and then stretched to different stretch ratios, and this cycle was repeated. Specifically, the stretch ratio of the stretchable display panel 30 was changed over time from 0% to 10% to 0% to 20% to 0% to 30% to 0% to 40% to 0% to 50%. In other words, in this experiment, the voltage was measured at 10% increments from 0% to 50% stretch ratio.

[0061] It is particularly clear when looking at the graph in Figure 6, but the elongation rate B h 6, it can be seen that the measured voltage changes depending on the stretch ratio B h The larger the measured voltage V h is small. In other words, the elongation rate B h The larger the resistance value r h is large.

[0062] FIG. 7 shows the elongation ratio B of the stretchable display panel 30 based on the experimental results shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. h and voltage V h In the graph shown, the relationship between the elongation rate B h At 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%, the measured value (measured voltage V h ) are shown as black circles. The dashed line smoothly connecting these black circles is an approximate curve showing the estimated value. From such a graph, we can determine the inverse function h h -1 () can be obtained.

[0063] The signal processing unit 10 measures the measured voltage V h Based on the inverse function h h -1 () gives the elongation rate Bh For example, the signal processing unit 10 can obtain a function h corresponding to the graph shown in FIG. h -1 Using the formula (which may be an approximate formula with a certain degree of accuracy), the elongation rate B h Alternatively, the signal processing unit 10 may perform a calculation to obtain the measured voltage V h Value and elongation rate B h By storing a set of pairs of values ​​in a table, the extension rate B h Alternatively, instead of the signal processing unit 10, the measurement unit 50 may perform the same processing to obtain the expansion rate B h It is also possible to obtain the following.

[0064] Stretchability B of stretchable display panel 30 h Once the expansion rate B h For example, the signal processing unit 10 can perform signal processing based on the following equation: h )) times. In other words, the horizontal length of the image signal is (1 / (1+B h )) and the length of the stretchable display panel 30 becomes (1+B h ) times, the image on the stretchable display panel 30 seen by the viewer will have the same shape as the image represented by the input image signal. h ), the horizontal pitch of the pixels arranged on the stretchable display panel 30 also becomes (1+B h ) will double.

[0065] In the first embodiment, the measuring unit 50 measures the change in voltage applied across the external resistance and determines the resistance value of the expandable wiring based on the change in voltage. Alternatively, the measuring unit 50 may directly measure the resistance value of the expandable wiring using some other means.

[0066] As described above, according to this embodiment, the measurement unit 50 measures the resistance value of the stretchable wiring. Then, the signal processing unit 10 estimates the deformation state of the stretchable display panel 30 based on the measurement results of the measurement unit 50. Furthermore, the signal processing unit 10 can process the input image signal based on the measurement results of the measurement unit 50 (or the estimated result of the deformation state of the stretchable display panel 30). Note that, in this embodiment, deformation due to expansion and contraction in the horizontal direction of the stretchable display panel 30 is particularly detected, and the signal processing unit 10 processes the image signal accordingly.

[0067] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the following description may omit the matters already described in the previous embodiment. Here, the description will focus on matters unique to this embodiment.

[0068] The functional configuration of the signal processing device according to the second embodiment is the same as that explained with reference to Fig. 1 (first embodiment), and therefore a detailed explanation will be omitted here. That is, the signal processing device 1 of this embodiment is configured to include a signal processing unit 10, a panel driving unit 20, a stretchable display panel 30, a sensor 40, and a measurement unit 50.

[0069] A feature of this embodiment is that a stretchable wire 402 is provided in the vertical direction on the stretchable display panel 30. The material of the stretchable wire 402, the method of forming it on the stretchable display panel 30, etc. may be the same as those of the stretchable wire 401 in the first embodiment.

[0070] 8 is a schematic diagram (electrical circuit diagram) showing a measurement method when an elastic wire 402 is formed in the vertical direction in the stretchable display panel 30 and stretched in the vertical direction. As shown in the figure, both ends of the elastic wire 402 are electrically connected to the measuring unit 50. The electrical resistance value of the elastic wire 402 is expressed as r v The measurement unit 50 measures the external resistance R vand external voltage source E v The stretchable wiring 402 in the stretchable display panel 30 and the external resistor R v and the external voltage source E v The measuring unit 50 is also provided with a voltage measuring means, and is connected in series with the external resistance R v The voltage V across v In addition, the vertical stretch rate of the stretchable display panel 30 is measured as B v Let's say.

[0071] The signal processing unit 10 in this embodiment is different from the signal processing unit 10 in the first embodiment in that the horizontal expansion rate B h In the same way as we estimated the vertical extension rate B v That is, the signal processing unit 10 in this embodiment estimates the voltage V measured by the measuring unit 50. v Based on this, the vertical extension rate B is calculated using the following equation (6). v Estimate.

[0072] B v =h v -1 (V v ) (6)

[0073] The signal processing unit 10 of this embodiment estimates the vertical expansion rate B v For example, the vertical length of the input image signal is (1 / (1+B v The stretchable display panel 30 itself may be deformed by (1+B v ) times, so the vertical length is (1 / (1+B v When an image that has been deformed by a factor of 1 is displayed, the viewer can see an image that has the same shape as the input image signal.

[0074] In the second embodiment, the measuring unit 50 measures the change in voltage applied across the external resistance and determines the resistance value of the expandable wiring based on the change in voltage. Alternatively, the measuring unit 50 may directly measure the resistance value of the expandable wiring using some other means.

[0075] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same functions and effects as in the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, deformation due to expansion and contraction of the stretchable display panel 30 in the vertical direction is particularly detected, and the signal processing unit 10 processes the image signal accordingly.

[0076] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the matters already explained in the previous embodiments may not be explained below. Here, the matters specific to this embodiment will be mainly explained. In this embodiment, two types of stretchable wiring, horizontal and vertical, are provided on the stretchable display panel 30, so that the deformation (stretching) components in each of the horizontal and vertical directions can be estimated.

[0077] The functional configuration of the signal processing device according to the third embodiment is the same as that explained with reference to the functional block diagram of Figure 1 (first embodiment), so a detailed explanation will be omitted here. That is, the signal processing device 1 of this embodiment is configured to include a signal processing unit 10, a panel driving unit 20, a stretchable display panel 30, a sensor 40, and a measurement unit 50.

[0078] 9 is a schematic diagram (electrical circuit diagram) showing a measurement method in this embodiment when a horizontally stretchable wire 403 and a vertically stretchable wire 404 are formed in the stretchable display panel 30 and there is stretch including both horizontal and vertical components. That is, in this embodiment, the signal processing unit 10 estimates the deformation state when stretched in the horizontal and vertical directions based on changes in the resistance values ​​of both the horizontally stretchable wire 403 and the vertically stretchable wire 404. That is, in the configuration shown in FIG. 9, the configuration shown in FIG. 4 and the configuration shown in FIG. 8 are combined to simultaneously estimate deformation in the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0079] That is, in the configuration shown in FIG. 9, the measuring unit 50 measures the extension rate Bh and the extension rate B of the elastic wiring 404 in the vertical direction v To find the voltage V h and voltage V v The signal processing unit 10 measures the measured voltage V h and voltage V v Based on these, the horizontal expansion rate B is calculated using the following equations (7) and (8). h and vertical extension rate B v It is estimated that:

[0080] B h =h h -1 (V h ) (7)

[0081] B v =h v -1 (V v ) (8)

[0082] The signal processing unit 10 calculates the estimated horizontal expansion rate B h and vertical extension rate B v As an example of this signal processing, the signal processing unit 10 horizontally processes the image represented by the input image signal by (1 / (1+B h )) times and stretched vertically by (1 / (1+B v The stretchable display panel 30 itself may be stretched by (1+B h ) times and vertically (1+B v ) times, these cancel each other out. In other words, the viewer will be able to see an image with the same shape as the image represented by the input image signal.

[0083] In the third embodiment, the measuring unit 50 measures the change in voltage applied across the external resistance and determines the resistance value of the expandable wiring based on the change in voltage. Alternatively, the measuring unit 50 may directly measure the resistance value of the expandable wiring using some other means.

[0084] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same functions and effects as those of the first and second embodiments. However, in this embodiment, deformation due to expansion and contraction components in both the horizontal and vertical directions of the stretchable display panel 30 is detected, and the signal processing unit 10 processes the image signal accordingly.

[0085] As described above in the first to third embodiments, the wiring (stretchable wiring) may be formed in one predetermined direction or in two mutually independent directions on the stretchable display panel 30. More specifically, the wiring (stretchable wiring) may be formed in the horizontal direction, or in the vertical direction, or in both the horizontal and vertical directions in the pixel arrangement on the stretchable display panel 30.

[0086] In the above first to third embodiments, when the stretchable display panel 30 expands and contracts in the horizontal direction, the stretchable display panel 30 expands and contracts uniformly from the top to the bottom. Also, when the stretchable display panel 30 expands and contracts in the vertical direction, the stretchable display panel 30 expands and contracts uniformly from the left to the right. However, depending on where the stretchable display panel 30 is held and how it is expanded and contracted, the stretchable display panel 30 may not expand and contract uniformly in the vertical and horizontal directions, resulting in nonlinear distortion. Below, a signal processing method and a signal processing device that can accommodate such nonlinear deformation of the stretchable display panel 30 will be described.

[0087] [Fourth embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the following description may omit matters that have already been described in the previous embodiments. Here, the description will focus on matters unique to this embodiment.

[0088] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram (a plan view of the screen) showing an example of the shape of the stretchable display panel 30 when it is nonlinearly deformed by holding (grabbing) the four corners of the stretchable display panel 30 and pulling it in four directions. In the example shown in the figure, the upper left corner of the stretchable display panel 30 is pulled in the upper left direction, the upper right corner in the upper right direction, the lower left corner in the lower left direction, and the lower right corner in the lower right direction. For example, the upper left corner and the lower right corner may each be pulled in the diagonal direction connecting the upper left corner and the lower right corner. Alternatively, the upper right corner and the lower left corner may each be pulled in the diagonal direction connecting the upper right corner and the lower left corner. In this case, when comparing the upper left corner, the area near the center of the top edge, and the upper right corner, the area near the center of the top edge does not stretch vertically as much as the upper left corner and the upper right corner. Furthermore, when comparing the upper left corner, the area near the center of the left side, and the lower left corner, the area near the center of the left side does not stretch horizontally as much as the upper left corner and the lower left corner. The same is true for the other sides. In other words, the stretching of the stretchable display panel 30 is nonlinear.

[0089] 11 is a schematic diagram (electrical circuit diagram) showing a measurement method for estimating deformation in response to nonlinear stretching in this embodiment, in which m stretchable wires 404 in the horizontal direction and n stretchable wires 404 in the vertical direction are formed in the stretchable display panel 30. Note that m≧1 and n≧1.

[0090] As shown in the figure, m horizontal stretchable wires are provided in the stretchable display panel 30, and the electrical resistance values ​​of these wires are, from top to bottom, h1 , r h2 ,···,r hm In addition, n stretchable wirings are provided in the stretchable display panel 30 in the vertical direction, and the electrical resistance values ​​of these wirings are expressed as r v1 , r v2 ,···,r vn Both ends of each of the elastic wires in the horizontal direction and both ends of each of the elastic wires in the vertical direction are electrically connected to the measuring unit 50.

[0091] When the stretchable display panel 30 is stretched nonlinearly, the stretching ratios of the multiple stretchable wires in the horizontal direction may differ. In other words, when i1≠i2, the stretching ratio B hi1 and B hi2 Regarding B hi1 ≠B hi2 In addition, the extension rates of the multiple stretchable wires in the vertical direction may differ. In other words, when i1 ≠ i2, the extension rates B vi1 and B vi2 Regarding B vi1 ≠B vi2 It could be.

[0092] The measuring unit 50 measures the resistance r of the elastic wiring in the horizontal direction. h1 , r h2 ,···,r hm and the resistance value r of the stretchable wiring in the vertical direction v1 , r v2 ,···,r vn The measuring unit 50 may measure these resistance values ​​in any manner. For example, as described in the first to third embodiments, the measuring unit 50 may measure the resistance value r h1 , r h2 ,···,r hm , and resistance value r v1 , r v2 ,···,r vn Alternatively, the measuring unit 50 may measure the resistance value r h1 , r h2 ,···,r hm , and resistance value r v1 , r v2 ,···,r vn Alternatively, the measuring unit 50 may directly measure the resistance value r h1 , r h2 ,···,r hm , and resistance value r v1 , r v2 ,···,r vnAlternatively, the measuring unit 50 may have a configuration in which the resistance value r h1 , r h2 ,···,r hm , and resistance value r v1 , r v2 ,···,r vn The measurement may be performed by sequentially switching between the above.

[0093] An example of a signal processing method in this embodiment is as follows: The stretchable display panel 30 to be used is deformed into various shapes in advance, and the shape at that time and the vector of resistance values ​​(r h1 ,r h2 ,···,r hm ,r v1 ,r v2 ,···,r vn ) is stored. For convenience, this vector is called the "resistance vector." The coordinates (x, y) of any one point on the stretchable display panel 30 in its normal state (undeformed state) can be associated with the coordinates (x', y') of that point after deformation when the stretchable display panel 30 is deformed into a specific shape. In other words, by using K points on the stretchable display panel 30 as samples, the deformation of the stretchable display panel 30 into a specific shape can be represented by the vector (x1, y1, x1', y1', x2, y2, x2', y2', . . . , x K ,y K ,x K ´,y K'). This vector is conveniently called the "panel deformation vector." In other words, the resistance value pattern of the (m+n) stretchable wirings when the stretchable display panel 30 is deformed into a specific shape can be stored as a pair of the panel deformation vector and the resistance value vector. Note that for points other than the K sample points on the stretchable display panel 30, the coordinates at the time of deformation can be found by using some kind of interpolation as appropriate. Note that the data pair of the panel deformation vector and the resistance value vector may be stored as is, or the correspondence may be regressed into some kind of mathematical formula and the coefficients of the formula may be stored.

[0094] The resistance value vector measured by the measurement unit 50 is (r h1 ,r h2 ,···,r hm ,r v1 ,r v2 ,···,r vn ), the coordinates (x, y) of a point on the stretchable display panel 30 in the initial state (undeformed state) move to coordinates (x', y') in the deformed state. By using any of the above methods, the coordinates (x', y') can be calculated using the following equation (9).

[0095] (x´,y´)= d(x,y,r h1 ,r h2 ,···,r hm ,r v1 ,r v2 ,···,r vn ) ··· (9)

[0096] By having the signal processing unit 10 grasp the function d() in advance, the resistance value (r h1 ,r h2 ,···,r hm ,r v1 ,r v2 ,···,r vn), the signal processing unit 10 can estimate the deformation state of the stretchable display panel 30.

[0097] The signal processing unit 10 can process the image signal according to the estimated deformation state of the stretchable display panel 30. As an example, the signal processing unit 10 can deform the image so as to cancel out the deformation of the stretchable display panel 30. Due to both the deformation of the stretchable display panel 30 itself and the deformation of the image by the signal processing unit 10, the viewer can see an image that is similar to the image represented by the original input image signal. In other words, the signal processing unit 10 can perform processing to distort the image, and the distortion of the stretchable display panel 30 itself can correct the distortion of the image.

[0098] In this embodiment, the multiple stretchable wires in the horizontal direction are arranged at regular intervals. Each of the horizontal stretchable wires is provided from the left end to the right end of the display surface of the stretchable display panel 30. Furthermore, the multiple stretchable wires in the vertical direction are arranged at regular intervals. Each of the vertical stretchable wires is provided from the top end to the bottom end of the display surface of the stretchable display panel 30.

[0099] However, more generally, the plurality of stretchable wires in the horizontal and vertical directions in this embodiment may be arranged at regular intervals, or the intervals may vary in at least a portion thereof. Furthermore, each of the horizontal stretchable wires may be provided across the left end to the right end of the display surface of the stretchable display panel 30, or may be provided in only a portion thereof. Furthermore, each of the vertical stretchable wires may be provided across the top end to the bottom end of the display surface of the stretchable display panel 30, or may be provided in only a portion thereof.

[0100] As described above, according to this embodiment, the plurality of stretchable wirings in the horizontal and vertical directions each function as a sensor. Based on the measurement results of the measurement unit 50, the signal processing unit 10 can estimate the deformation state of the stretchable display panel 30 and process the image signal according to the deformation state.

[0101] [Fifth embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the following description may omit matters that have already been described in the previous embodiments. Here, the description will focus on matters unique to this embodiment.

[0102] 12 is a schematic diagram (a plan view of the screen) showing an example of the shape of the stretchable display panel 30 when it is deformed nonlinearly by pulling the left end to the left and the right end to the right while keeping the left and right ends of the stretchable display panel 30 linear. In the example shown in the figure, the top and bottom ends of the stretchable display panel 30 are not kept linear. In other words, the stretchable display panel 30 stretches nonlinearly.

[0103] 13 is a schematic diagram (electrical circuit diagram) showing a measurement method for forming m stretchable wires in the horizontal direction within the stretchable display panel 30 in this embodiment and estimating deformation corresponding to nonlinear stretching due to a pulling force only in the horizontal direction. That is, in this example, one stretchable wire 405 in the horizontal direction is formed on the stretchable display panel 30. Note that, although m=1 in the illustrated example, m≧1 may generally be used. Because the pulling force is only in the horizontal direction, the stretchable wire in the vertical direction is omitted in the illustrated example.

[0104] 13, the stretchable display panel 30 may be pulled in the vertical direction while maintaining the upper and lower ends of the stretchable display panel 30 in a straight line. In this case, n (n≧1) elastic wires are formed in the vertical direction on the stretchable display panel 30.

[0105] The electrical resistance value of the elastic wiring 405 is r h Both ends of the elastic wire 405 are electrically connected to the measuring unit 50.

[0106] In this embodiment, the stretchable display panel 30 is deformed into various shapes in advance, and the relationship between the shape and the resistance value of the stretchable wiring is measured. As explained in the fourth embodiment, the deformed shape of the stretchable display panel 30 is calculated by using K sample points and calculating the panel deformation vector (x1, y1, x1', y1', x2, y2, x2', y2', . . . , x K ,y K ,x K ´,y K In this embodiment, if the deformation of the stretchable display panel 30 is symmetrical, or vertically symmetrical, or both, the sample points may be reduced by utilizing the symmetry. h By collecting a predetermined number of pairs of the vectors and the panel deformation vectors and interpolating the coordinates as necessary, the function d in the following equation (10) can be obtained. h () can be defined. In other words, the following equation (10) is expressed as h When the coordinates (x, y) of a point on the stretchable display panel 30 in the initial state (undeformed state) move to the coordinates (x', y') in the deformed state.

[0107] (x´,y´)=d h (x,y,r h ) (10)

[0108] Function d hBy knowing in advance the resistance value r h Based on this, the deformation state of the panel can be estimated. The signal processing unit 10 can process the input image signal based on the estimated deformation state. As an example, the signal processing unit 10 can deform the image so as to cancel out the deformation of the stretchable display panel 30. Due to both the deformation of the stretchable display panel 30 itself and the image deformation by the signal processing unit 10, the viewer can see an image similar to the image represented by the original input image signal.

[0109] [Sixth embodiment] Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the following description may omit the matters already described in the previous embodiments. Here, the description will focus on matters unique to this embodiment.

[0110] In the above fourth and fifth embodiments, several patterns have been described regarding the deformation of the stretchable display panel 30. In addition to these, the stretchable display panel 30 can be deformed in various other ways.

[0111] 14, 15, and 16 are schematic diagrams showing examples of various other deformation patterns of the stretchable display panel 30, respectively.

[0112] 14 is a plan view of the stretchable display panel 30 as seen from the display surface side. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the left and right edges of the stretchable display panel 30 are maintained straight, with an upward force acting near the left edge and a downward force acting near the right edge. The top and bottom edges of the stretchable display panel 30 are also maintained straight. As a result of this deformation, the stretchable display panel 30 takes on a parallelogram shape.

[0113] 15 is a plan view of the stretchable display panel 30 as seen from the display surface side. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the upper, lower, right, and left edges of the stretchable display panel 30 remain straight even when a force is applied. In this example, the left edge near the top of the stretchable display panel 30 is pulled to the left, and the right edge near the top is pulled to the right. As a result of this deformation, the stretchable display panel 30 has a trapezoidal shape.

[0114] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the stretchable display panel 30 as seen from the display surface side. In the example shown in FIG. 16, a pushing force is applied from behind the display surface of the stretchable display panel 30. A pushing force is applied from below in FIG. 16 near the center of the stretchable display panel 30. At the same time, some pulling force may be applied from above in FIG. 16 near the center of the stretchable display panel 30. In other words, as a result of the application of such a force, the stretchable display panel 30 in this example is deformed into a hemispherical shape with the display surface side convex. As shown in this example, the stretchable display panel 30 may be deformed three-dimensionally. In other words, a force component may be applied in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the stretchable display panel 30. In this example (FIG. 16), the top, bottom, left, and right edges of the stretchable display panel 30 are maintained straight when viewed in a plane.

[0115] In order to achieve the deformation of the stretchable display panel 30 as shown in FIG. 16, for example, a spherical jig may be pressed against the back surface (the surface opposite the display surface) of the stretchable display panel 30, or gas may be injected into the back surface of the stretchable display panel 30 to inflate the stretchable display panel 30 like a balloon.

[0116] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram (electrical circuit diagram) showing a measurement method for forming an arbitrary number of stretchable wires in the stretchable display panel 30 and estimating arbitrary deformation, including three-dimensional directions, in this embodiment. Note that the number of stretchable wires can be arbitrary (one or more), but this diagram shows only one representative stretchable wire 406. As described in the previous embodiments, the relationship between the three-dimensional position (x, y, z) of the stretchable display panel 30 before deformation, the three-dimensional position (x', y', z') after deformation, and the vector r representing multiple measured resistance values ​​is collected in advance. Here, the z-axis corresponds, for example, to the coordinate in the direction perpendicular to the stretchable display panel 30 in the normal state. That is, based on this data, the three-dimensional position (x', y', z') after deformation can generally be expressed by the following equation (11). In equation (11), d() is an appropriately defined function.

[0117] (x´,y´,z´)=d(x,y,z,r) ··· (11)

[0118] In this way, by measuring the change in resistance value of the stretchable wiring and the deformation state in advance for various deformation patterns including three-dimensional deformation, and obtaining the resistance value of the stretchable wiring and the deformation position at each point on the panel as an approximate function, it is possible to estimate the deformation state by measuring the resistance value of the stretchable wiring. In other words, it is possible to perform signal processing and image display according to the deformation state of the stretchable display panel 30.

[0119] As explained in each of the above embodiments, the wiring (stretchable wiring) may be formed on a line that passes through at least three points on the stretchable display panel 30 and that is not aligned in a straight line. Furthermore, the signal processing unit 10 estimates the shape of the stretchable display panel 30 after deformation (which may be a three-dimensional deformation) based on the shape of the stretchable display panel 30 before deformation and the measurement results measured by the measuring unit 50. The signal processing unit 10 processes the image signal based on the result of this estimation.

[0120] That is, the stretchable display panel 30 may be deformed into a three-dimensional shape. In this case, the signal processing unit 10 may estimate the shape of the stretchable display panel 30 after deformation based on the measurement results obtained by the measurement unit 50, and process the image signal based on the estimated result.

[0121] [Technology used] In the above embodiment, the resistance change and deformation state of the stretchable wiring are measured in advance in response to any deformation of the stretchable display panel 30. For this purpose, existing product technology can be used. For example, the deformation of the stretchable display panel 30 can be determined by measuring the panel shape using a 3D strain measurement device such as ARAMIS manufactured by GOM mbH, or by simulation using a viscoelastic material strain simulator manufactured by COMSOL.

[0122] 18 and 19 are schematic diagrams showing examples of the results of panel shape measurement using a three-dimensional distortion measurement device.

[0123] Fig. 18 shows measurements taken when gas is introduced from below into the center of the stretchable display panel 30 to inflate it into a hemispherical shape (the example of Fig. 16). In this example, the distortion rate and overall shape of each part in the stretchable display panel 30 can be measured. Based on this, it is possible to understand how each part of the stretchable display panel 30 moves due to deformation.

[0124] FIG. 19 shows a measurement of the stretchable display panel 30 in a flat state before deformation.

[0125] [Seventh embodiment] Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the following description may omit matters that have already been described in the previous embodiments. Here, the description will focus on matters unique to this embodiment.

[0126] In the embodiments already described (first to sixth embodiments), the main purpose is to display a shape similar to the original image signal that is input on the stretchable display panel 30. In contrast, in this embodiment, an image different from the input image can be displayed on the stretchable display panel 30 that has been deformed into a hemispherical shape, as shown in Fig. 20, for example, in accordance with the change in the three-dimensional shape of the display surface.

[0127] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing an example of resistance measurement and image display in this embodiment. The example shown in FIG. 20 is a display example when the stretchable display panel 30 is installed horizontally. In other words, in the example shown in FIG. 20, the stretchable display panel 30 is placed with the display surface facing upward. Only one elastic wire 406 is formed on the stretchable display panel 30. In the state shown in FIG. 20, the stretchable display panel 30 is not deformed and is in a flat state. In this state, water droplets are displayed on the stretchable display panel 30.

[0128] In the state shown in Fig. 21, the stretchable display panel 30 is deformed upward by pressing a spherical jig against the bottom of the panel or by inflating it like a balloon by injecting gas into the bottom of the stretchable display panel 30. In this state, water droplets are displayed on the stretchable display panel 30, but the shape of the water droplets is different from that in the state shown in Fig. 20. The measuring unit 50 measures the resistance values ​​r sThe signal processing unit 10 measures the resistance of the stretchable display panel 30 in advance. Furthermore, the signal processing unit 10 prepares images corresponding to the state in which the stretchable display panel 30 is flat and the state in which the stretchable display panel 30 is expanded. When an image is to be displayed on the stretchable display panel 30, the measurement unit 50 measures the resistance value of the elastic wiring. Based on the resistance value measured by the measurement unit 50, the signal processing unit 10 estimates the deformation state of the stretchable display panel 30. In other words, based on the measured resistance value, the signal processing unit 10 estimates whether the stretchable display panel 30 is in a flat state or in a state in which it is expanded upward.

[0129] When it is estimated that the stretchable display panel 30 is in a flat state, the signal processing unit 10 processes the image signal or uses a pre-stored image to output an image that looks like, for example, a water droplet has accumulated near the center of the bulge of the stretchable display panel 30. The panel driving unit 20 uses the image signal passed from the signal processing unit 10 to drive the stretchable display panel 30. As a result, the stretchable display panel 30 displays an image that looks like a water droplet has accumulated near its center.

[0130] When it is estimated that the stretchable display panel 30 is deformed and bulged, the signal processing unit 10 processes the image signal or uses a pre-stored image to output an image (moving image) of water droplets moving from the center to the periphery. The panel driving unit 20 drives the stretchable display panel 30 using the image signal passed from the signal processing unit 10. As a result, the stretchable display panel 30 displays an image (moving image) of water droplets flowing from near the center (top) to the lower periphery.

[0131] As described above, in the present embodiment and the like, the stretchable display panel 30 in a deformed state can not only display an image similar to the input image signal, but also display some special image (still image or moving image) that is specific to the shape of the deformed stretchable display panel 30. In other words, the present embodiment and the like makes it possible to express images according to the deformed state. In other words, the range of image (still image or moving image) expression can be expanded.

[0132] In this embodiment, the signal processing unit 10 may store in advance an image corresponding to the deformation state of the stretchable display panel 30 without using an image signal input from the outside, or the signal processing unit 10 may generate the image according to the deformation state, or the image signal input from the outside may be variously processed, transformed, or processed according to the deformation state.

[0133] In the embodiments described so far, the stretchable wiring is formed and used in the horizontal or vertical direction on the stretchable display panel 30. However, in practice, the stretchable wiring may be formed in any other pattern. For example, the stretchable wiring is not limited to the horizontal or vertical direction, but may be formed in an oblique direction. Furthermore, the stretchable wiring does not necessarily have to be formed from one end to the other of the stretchable display panel 30 (for example, from the top to the bottom or from the left to the right), but may be formed only in a portion thereof. Furthermore, the shape of the display surface of the stretchable display panel 30 may be estimated based on information obtained from a sensor built into the stretchable display panel 30. Furthermore, in addition to the method of measuring the resistance value of the stretchable wiring, an element such as a strain gauge, whose electrical characteristics change in response to deformation of the stretchable display panel 30, may be used as an element provided on the stretchable display panel 30.

[0134] As described above, in this embodiment, not only can an image be corrected according to the deformation state of the stretchable display panel 30, but different images can also be displayed according to the deformation state of the stretchable display panel 30.

[0135] Furthermore, any stretchable wiring pattern such as those shown in Fig. 22, Fig. 23, or Fig. 24 may be used. For example, in the pattern shown in Fig. 22, the stretchable wiring 407 is laid horizontally from the left side to the right side of the stretchable display panel 30, and then folded back and laid from the right side to the left side. In the pattern shown in Fig. 23, the stretchable wiring 408 is laid horizontally from the upper left part to the upper right part of the stretchable display panel 30, and then bent 90 degrees and laid from the upper right part to the lower right part. In the pattern shown in Fig. 24, the stretchable wiring 409 is laid diagonally (almost along a diagonal line) from the upper left part to the lower right part of the stretchable display panel 30.

[0136] [Programmatic implementation] At least some of the functions of the signal processing unit 10 in each of the above-described embodiments can be realized by a computer and a program (including a microprogram, etc.). In this case, the functions may be realized by recording a program for realizing the functions on a computer-readable recording medium, and reading and executing the program recorded on the recording medium into a computer system.

[0137] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0138] The present invention can be used, for example, to display various images, particularly for utilizing a deformable stretchable display panel, but the scope of use of the present invention is not limited to the examples given here. [Explanation of symbols]

[0139] 1. Signal Processing Device 10 Signal Processing Section 11 Deformation state estimation unit 20 Panel drive unit 30 Stretchable Display Panels 30a,30b area 40 sensors 50 Measuring part 401,402,403,404,405,406,407,408,409 Stretchable wiring (conductive material) 930 Stretchable Display

Claims

1. a measuring unit measuring at least a part of the shape of a display panel configured to be stretchable and thereby deformable; a signal processing unit processes an image signal in accordance with the result of the shape measurement by the measurement unit; the display panel displays an image based on the image signal processed by the signal processing unit. Signal processing methods.

2. the measurement unit measures at least a part of the shape of the display panel based on a value of distortion of the display panel detected by a sensor provided on the display panel.

2. The signal processing method according to claim 1.

3. the signal processing unit estimates a shape of the display panel after deformation based on the shape of the display panel before deformation and the measurement result measured by the measurement unit, and processes the image signal based on the result of the estimation.

3. The signal processing method according to claim 2.

4. the measuring unit estimates at least a part of the shape of the display panel by measuring a change in an electrical resistance value of an elastic wiring formed on the display panel.

2. The signal processing method according to claim 1.

5. The wiring is formed in one predetermined direction on the display panel or in two directions independent of each other.

5. The signal processing method according to claim 4.

6. the wiring is formed in a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, or both horizontal and vertical directions in a pixel arrangement on the display panel; 6. The signal processing method according to claim 5.

7. the wiring is formed on a line passing through at least three points on the display panel that are not aligned in a straight line; the signal processing unit estimates a shape of the display panel after deformation based on the shape of the display panel before deformation and the measurement result measured by the measurement unit, and processes the image signal based on the result of the estimation.

5. The signal processing method according to claim 4.

8. The display panel is deformable into a three-dimensional shape, the signal processing unit estimates a shape of the display panel after deformation based on the shape of the display panel before deformation and the measurement result measured by the measurement unit, and processes the image signal based on the result of the estimation.

2. The signal processing method according to claim 1.

9. a display panel configured to be deformable; a measuring unit that measures at least a part of the shape of the display panel; a signal processing unit that processes an image signal in accordance with the result of the shape measurement by the measurement unit; Equipped with the display panel displays an image based on the image signal processed by the signal processing unit. Signal processing device.

Images