Display control method, control device, and display device

Abstract

To allow usage of a plurality of display regions by dividing or connecting the display regions in various manners without performing complicated works.SOLUTION: A method for controlling display outputs M number (M is an integer of at least 1) of pictures by a PC 2 of a display system 1000 including at least one PC 2 and N number (N is an integer of at least 2) of projectors 1. When M is smaller than N, the whole display region of the N number of projectors 1 is divided in M number of sub-regions and one picture is allocated to each sub-region. When M is equal to N, one picture is allocated to the display region of each projector 1 for display.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display control method, a control device, and a display device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a method of using a plurality of display devices such as projectors at the same time is known. Patent Document 1 discloses an example in which, in a configuration where a plurality of display devices are connected to an image output device, the same number of display areas as the display devices are formed, and a plurality of images output by the image output device are made to correspond one-to-one with the display areas.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When using a plurality of display devices, not limited to the example disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is conceivable to divide or combine display areas in various ways. However, the operation of setting the usage form of the display area was complicated for the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect according to the present disclosure is a display control method in a display system including one or more video output devices and N (N is an integer of 2 or more) display devices, wherein M (M is an integer of 1 or more) videos are output by the video output device, and when M < N, the entire display area of the N display devices is divided into M sub-areas, and one video is assigned to each of the sub-areas for display, and when M = N, one of the videos is assigned to the display area of each of the display devices for display.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a display device that displays an image on a display area, including one or more video output devices, a connection unit connected to (N - 1) external display devices (where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2), and a display device control unit that allocates and displays M images (where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1) output by the video output device on the display area of the display device and the display areas of the external display devices. When M < N, the display device control unit divides the entire display area of the display device and the display areas of the external display devices into M sub - areas, allocates one image to each sub - area, and displays it. When M = N, the display device control unit allocates one image to the display area of the display device and the display area of each external display device and performs display.

[0007] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is a video output device connected to N display devices (where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2) and outputting M images (where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1). When M < N, the output device control unit divides the entire display areas of the N display devices into M sub - areas, allocates one image to each sub - area, and causes the display devices to display the images. When M = N, the output device control unit allocates one image to the display area of each display device and causes the display devices to display the images.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] [1. First Embodiment] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] [1-1. Configuration of the Display System] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the display system 1000. The display system 1000 includes a plurality of projectors 1 and one or more PCs (Personal Computers) 2. There is no limit to the number of projectors 1 and the number of PCs 2. In FIG. 1, as an example, the configuration of the display system 1000 including two projectors 1A and 1B and three PCs 2A, 2B, and 2C is shown. When not distinguishing between projectors 1A and 1 B they are denoted as projector 1, and when not distinguishing between PCs 2A, 2B, and 2C they are denoted as PC2. The projector 1 corresponds to an example of a display device, and the PC2 corresponds to an example of a video output device. With respect to projector 1A, projector 1B corresponds to an example of an external display device.

[0011] The projector 1 and the PC2 are connected so as to be capable of data communication via the communication network NW. The communication network NW may be a local network or a global network including a dedicated line, a public switched telephone network, the Internet, etc.

[0012] ​PC2 is a so-called video source. The PC2 shown in FIG. 1 is a notebook PC, but this is just an example. PC2 can be any of a desktop PC, a tablet PC, and a smartphone. Instead of PC2, other types of devices that output video may be used. For example, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) player, a network player, etc. may be used.

[0013] Specifically, the video output by PC2 is digital video data, and the data format of the digital video data is not limited. For example, the video data output by PC2 can be data compliant with various standards such as MPEG (Motion Picture Expert Group), and can also be data for streaming video. The video data output by PC2 may be data accompanied by audio data.

[0014] In this embodiment, the projector 1 projects an image based on the video data output by the PC2. The projector 1 projecting an image corresponds to an example of display. The video data output by the PC2 may be data for displaying a still image. That is, the display system 1000 can display a still image and a moving image, that is, a video. Whether the video data output by the PC2 is for displaying a still image on the projector 1 or for displaying a moving image on the projector 1, the form of the data conforms to the data format of the video data. Therefore, regardless of whether the content of the video displayed by the projector 1 is a still image or a moving image, in this embodiment, it is called a video.

[0015] The projector 1 displays a video on the screen SC as a projection surface by projecting image light onto the screen SC based on the video data output by the PC2. The screen SC may be a curtain-like screen, or the wall surface of a building or the plane of a fixture may be used as the screen SC. The screen SC is not limited to a plane, and may be a curved surface or a surface with unevenness.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, an area on the screen SC where the projector 1A projects an image is defined as a projection area 41. An area on the screen SC where the projector 1B projects an image is defined as a projection area 42. The entire area where the display system 1000 displays an image is an area combining the projection area 41 and the projection area 42. This is defined as a large area 4. The large area 4 corresponds to the entire display area.

[0017] [1-2. Configuration of Projector] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the projector 1 according to the first embodiment, and shows the configuration of the projector 1A.

[0018] The projector 1A includes a PJ (Projector) control unit 11. The PJ control unit 11 includes a PJ processor 110 composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro-processing unit), etc., and a PJ storage unit 120. The PJ control unit 11 controls each part of the projector 1A by executing a program by the PJ processor 110. The PJ control unit 11 corresponds to an example of a display device control unit.

[0019] The PJ storage unit 120 is a non-volatile storage device composed of a semiconductor memory element such as a flash memory. The PJ storage unit 120 stores a program executed by the PJ processor 110, data processed by the PJ processor 110, etc. The PJ storage unit 120 stores, for example, a control program 121 and setting data 122. Further, the PJ storage unit 120 may include a volatile storage area and constitute a work area for temporarily storing a program executed by the PJ processor 110 and data to be processed.

[0020] The PJ processor 110 executes various processes through the cooperation of hardware and software by reading and executing the control program 121 stored in the PJ storage unit 120. The PJ processor 110 has functional units such as an input detection unit 111, a projection area specification unit 112, a projection setting unit 113, a priority determination unit 114, and a projection control unit 115. These functional units are configured when the PJ processor 110 executes the control program 121. The details of these functional units will be described later.

[0021] The projector 1A includes a projection unit 50 that projects image light onto the screen SC. The projection unit 50 includes a light source unit 51, a light modulation device 52, and a projection optical system 53. A light source drive circuit 61 is connected to the light source unit 51, and a light modulation device drive circuit 62 is connected to the light modulation device 52.

[0022] The light source unit 51 is composed of a lamp such as a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp, or a solid light source such as an LED or a laser light source. The light source unit 51 is lit by the power output from the light source drive circuit 61 and emits light toward the light modulation device 52.

[0023] The light modulation device 52 includes, for example, three liquid crystal panels corresponding to the three primary colors R, G, and B. R indicates red, G indicates green, and B indicates blue. The light emitted from the light source unit 51 is separated into three color lights of RGB and incident on the corresponding liquid crystal panels respectively. Each of the three liquid crystal panels is a transmissive liquid crystal panel, which modulates the transmitted light to generate image light. The image light modulated by passing through each liquid crystal panel is synthesized by a synthetic optical system such as a cross dichroic prism and emitted to the projection optical system 53. The light modulation device 52 is not limited to a configuration including a transmissive liquid crystal panel as a light modulation element. The light modulation element of the light modulation device 52 may be a reflective liquid crystal panel or a digital micromirror device.

[0024] The projection optical system 53 includes lenses, mirrors, etc. that form an image of the image light modulated by the light modulation device 52 on the screen SC. The projection optical system 53 may include a zoom mechanism, a focus adjustment mechanism for adjusting focus, and the like.

[0025] The light source drive circuit 61 is connected to the PJ control unit 11 via the bus 60. The light source drive circuit 61 turns on or off the light source unit 51 according to the control of the PJ control unit 11.

[0026] The light modulation device drive circuit 62 is connected to the PJ control unit 11 via the bus 60. The light modulation device drive circuit 62 drives the light modulation device 52 according to the control of the PJ control unit 11, and draws an image on the light modulation element included in the light modulation device 52 in frame units.

[0027] The projector 1A includes a buffer unit 15, a communication interface 17, and an image processing unit 63. Each of these units is connected to the PJ control unit 11 by the bus 60.

[0028] The communication interface 17 includes a wireless communication device that performs wireless data communication such as wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or Bluetooth, or a wired communication device that performs wired data communication through a cable. Here, the wireless communication device includes, for example, an antenna, an RF circuit, a baseband circuit, etc. The wired communication device includes, for example, a connector to which a cable is connected, and an interface circuit that processes signals transmitted and received via the connector. The communication interface 17 is connected to the communication network NW. The communication interface 17 communicates with the PC2 and the projector 1B according to the control of the PJ control unit 11. Bluetooth is a registered trademark. The communication interface 17 corresponds to an example of a connection part.

[0029] The buffer unit 15 is a volatile or non-volatile storage device composed of a semiconductor memory element or the like. Here, the projector 1A may be configured to use the storage area of one storage device as the buffer unit 15 and the PJ storage unit 120. The buffer unit 15 temporarily stores the video data received from the communication network NW by the communication interface 17.

[0030] A frame memory 64 is connected to the image processing unit 63. The frame memory 64 is a volatile storage device composed of an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like. The image processing unit 63 expands the image to be projected by the projection unit 50 into the frame memory 64 for each frame according to the control of the PJ control unit 11. The image processing unit 63 may perform image processing such as resolution conversion processing, resizing processing, geometric correction processing, digital zoom processing, and brightness adjustment processing on the image expanded in the frame memory 14 according to the control of the PJ control unit 11. The image processing unit 63 outputs the image expanded in the frame memory 64 to the light modulation device drive circuit 62.

[0031] The image processing unit 63 and the frame memory 64 may be composed of, for example, an integrated circuit. This type of integrated circuit includes an LSI, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), a SoC (System-on-a-chip), and the like. Also, an analog circuit may be included in a part of the configuration of the integrated circuit, or a configuration in which the above integrated circuit and the PJ control unit 11 are integrated may be adopted.

[0032] The projector 1A includes a signal processing unit 65 and an input processing unit 67. Each of these units is connected to the PJ control unit 11 by a bus 60.

[0033] A speaker 66 is connected to the signal processing unit 65. The signal processing unit 65 causes the speaker 66 to output sound based on the digital audio data input from the PJ control unit 11.

[0034] An operation panel 68 and an infrared receiver unit 69 are connected to the input processing unit 67. The operation panel 68 is provided on the housing of the projector 1A and includes various switches operable by the user. The input processing unit 67 detects operations of the switches on the operation panel 68. The infrared receiver unit 69 receives the infrared signal transmitted by the remote controller 70. The input processing unit 67 decodes the signal received by the infrared receiver unit 69, generates operation data, and outputs the operation data to the PJ control unit 11. Thus, the input processing unit 67 receives the user's operation by the operation panel 68 and the infrared receiver unit 69, generates operation data corresponding to the received operation, and outputs the operation data to the PJ control unit 11.

[0035] In addition to the communication interface 17, the projector 1A may have an interface connected to a device as a video source. For example, the projector 1A includes an interface including communication hardware such as a connector and an interface circuit compliant with a predetermined communication standard. This interface is, for example, a digital interface such as HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), Displayport, HDBaseT, USB (Universal Serial Bus). HDMI and HDBaseT are registered trademarks. Also, the projector 1A may be configured to include analog video terminals such as RCA terminals, VGA terminals, S terminals, D terminals as interfaces and be capable of receiving analog video signals.

[0036] The input detection unit 111 detects the number of input videos in the display system 1000. For example, the input detection unit 111 detects the number of video sources included in the display system 1000 and the number of videos output by the video sources. The PC 2A can output one or more videos through the communication network NW. The PC 2B and the PC 2C can also have the same configuration. The input detection unit 111 detects the number of PCs 2 that output videos to the projector 1 in the display system 1000 and the number of videos output by each PC 2. The input detection unit 111 detects the number of video sources and videos, for example, by communicating with the PC 2 through the communication interface 17.

[0037] The projection area specifying unit 112 specifies the number and positional relationship of the projection areas included in the display system 1000. In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the projection area specifying unit 112 specifies the number of the projection areas 41 and 42 and the relative positional relationship between the projection area 41 and the projection area 42. The projection area specifying unit 112 may specify the number and positional relationship of the projection areas, for example, by communicating with the projector 1B through the communication interface 17. Further, the projection area specifying unit 112 may specify the number and positional relationship of the projection areas based on the content input by the operation of the operation panel 68 or the remote controller 70. Further, the projection area specifying unit 112 may specify the number and positional relationship of the projection areas based on the control data transmitted from the PC 2 through the communication network NW.

[0038] The projection setting unit 113 performs the allocation of videos in the entire projection area of the display system 1000 specified by the projection area specifying unit 112, that is, in the large area 4. Specifically, the projection setting unit 113 divides the large area 4 according to the number of videos identified by the input detection unit 111, and performs a process of arranging the videos output by the PC 2 in the large area 4. The projection setting unit 113 can also assign one video to the entire large area 4. The projection setting unit 113 can also perform area division and video assignment for each of the projection areas 41 and 42. The division of the large area 4 and the assignment of videos to the areas obtained by dividing the large area 4 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7. The projection setting unit 113 stores the mode of division of the large area 4 and the result of video assignment as setting data 122 in the PJ storage unit 120.

[0039] When the PC 2 outputs a plurality of videos, the priority determination unit 114 determines the priority of each video. The priority of a video is the relative order of each video output by the PC 2. The projection setting unit 113 may perform a process of allocating an area for displaying a video in the large area 4 according to the priority of the video. For example, a small area in the large area 4 is allocated to a video with a low priority.

[0040] The projection setting unit 113 may control the display system 1000 so that the projectors 1A and 1B project videos according to the setting data 122. In this case, the projection setting unit 113 designates, for the projector 1B, the presence or absence of division of the projection area 42, the number of areas for dividing the projection area 42, the video to be displayed in each area obtained by dividing the projection area 42, etc., according to the video assignment indicated by the setting data 122, and causes the projection to be executed. Further, the projection setting unit 113 may specify an output destination for outputting a video to the PC 2A, 2B, 2C through the communication network NW. In this case, the projection setting unit 113 designates whether to output each video to the projector 1A or the projector 1B for each video source detected by the input detection unit 111 among the PC 2A, 2B, 2C. Thereby, the PC 2 that is the video source can be caused to output a video according to the assignment determined by the projection setting unit 113.

[0041] The projection control unit 115 controls the light source drive circuit 61, the optical modulation device drive circuit 62, and the image processing unit 63 to project an image onto the screen SC. The projection control unit 115 receives the image output from the PC 2 through the communication interface 17, and projects the received image according to the assignment set by the projection setting unit 113.

[0042] Since the configuration of the projector 1B can be the same as that of the projector 1A, the illustration and description thereof are omitted. Here, the projector 1B may not include the input detection unit 111, the projection area specifying unit 112, the projection setting unit 113, and the priority determination unit 114. That is, the projector 1B may not perform the processing executed by the projection setting unit 113 of the projector 1A. The PJ control unit 11 of the projector 1B projects the image output from the PC 2 onto the projection area 42 by the projection unit 50 according to the setting data 122 generated by the projector 1A. When the display system 1000 includes three or more projectors 1, the projectors 1 after the third one can have the same configuration as the projector 1B. That is, among the plurality of projectors 1 included in the display system 1000, any one of them may have the configuration shown in FIG. 2.

[0043] [1-3.Configuration of PC] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the PC 2 of the first embodiment, and shows the configuration of the PC 2A as an example.

[0044] The PC 2A includes a PC control unit 21, a PC display unit 24, a PC input unit 25, and a PC communication unit 26, and these units are interconnected by a bus 27.

[0045] The PC control unit 21 includes a PC processor 22 and a PC storage unit 23. The PC processor 22 is composed of a processor such as a CPU or an MPU. The PC control unit 21 controls each unit of the PC 2A by executing a program by the PC processor 22.

[0046] The PC storage unit 23 is a storage device that stores data non-volatilely using a flash memory, a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, etc. The PC storage unit 23 stores programs executed by the PC processor 22, data processed by the PC processor 22, etc. The PC storage unit 23 stores, for example, an OS (Operating System) 231, an application program 232, and video data 233. The OS 231 is basic control software that controls the PC 2A and provides a platform for the application program 232 to be executed. The application program 232 is a program having a function of outputting video to the projector 1. The video data 233 is data of video content and is output to the projector 1 by the function of the application program 232. The video data 233 may include audio data.

[0047] The PC display unit 24 includes a display device. The display device is, for example, the display 20A shown in FIG. 1. The display 20A is configured to include an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel. Also, the display 20A may be configured to include a display panel such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) panel, an OLED (Organic LED) panel, etc. The PC display unit 24 displays an image or video on the display device according to the control of the PC control unit 21. The PC display unit 24 may be configured to be connected to a display device external to the PC 2A.

[0048] The PC input unit 25 includes an input device operated by a user of the PC 2A or is connected to an input device. The input device is a switch panel having an operation switch, a touch panel, a mouse, a keyboard, etc. The PC input unit 25 detects a user's operation on the input device and outputs the detection result to the PC control unit 21.

[0049] The PC communication unit 26 is a communication device that communicates according to a predetermined communication standard. The PC communication unit 26 is connected to the communication network NW by wired or wireless communication. Also, a communication line or a communication device may be interposed between the PC communication unit 26 and the communication network NW. The PC communication unit 26 executes communication with the projector 1 via the communication network NW according to the control of the PC control unit 21.

[0050] Since the configuration of PC2B can be the same as that of PC2A, the illustration and description thereof are omitted. The same applies to PC2C. When the display system 1000 includes four or more PCs 2, the fourth and subsequent PCs 2 are also configured in the same manner.

[0051] [1-4. Display Modes in the Display System] FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 are diagrams showing display examples in the display system 1000. FIG. 4 shows a display example when only PC2A outputs video as a video source and PC2A outputs one video. PC2A outputs the same video as the first video P1 to be displayed on the display 20A under the control of the PC control unit 21.

[0052] Based on the fact that only one video, that is, the first video P1, is output in the display system 1000, the projection setting unit 113 of the projector 1A uses the large area 4 as one area. The projection setting unit 113 assigns the first video P1 to the entire large area 4. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the large area 4 is regarded as one large display area, and the first video P1 is displayed in the large area 4. In the example of FIG. 4, the first video P1 is enlarged and displayed over the entire large area 4 while maintaining the aspect ratio of the first video P1. The projector 1 may change the aspect ratio of the first video P1 and enlarge and display the first video P1 over the entire large area 4. Similarly, in the display examples shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the projector 1 may display the video in the large area 4 while maintaining the aspect ratio or may change the aspect ratio.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows a display example when only the PC 2A outputs video as a video source and the PC 2A outputs two videos. The PC 2A outputs a first video P1 to be displayed on the display 20A and a second video P2 not to be displayed on the display 20A under the control of the PC control unit 21.

[0054] Based on the output of two videos in the display system 1000, the projection setting unit 113 of the projector 1A uses the large area 4 as two areas. In this case, the projection setting unit 113 divides the large area 4 into a projection area 41 and a projection area 42. That is, the projection setting unit 113 divides the large area 4 into small areas 4A and 4B. The small area 4A corresponds to the whole of the projection area 41, and the small area 4B corresponds to the whole of the projection area 42. The projection setting unit 113 assigns the first video P1 to the small area 4A and assigns the second video P2 to the small area 4B. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5, the first video P1 is displayed in the projection area 41, and the second video P2 is displayed in the projection area 42. The small area corresponds to an example of a sub-area.

[0055] FIG. 6 shows a display example when the PC 2A and the PC 2B output videos as video sources, the PC 2A outputs one video, and the PC 2B outputs one video. The PC 2A outputs a first video P1 to be displayed on the display 20A under the control of the PC control unit 21. The PC 2B outputs a third video P3 to be displayed on the display 20B under the control of the PC control unit 21.

[0056] Based on the output of two videos in the display system 1000, the projection setting unit 113 of the projector 1A uses the large area 4 as two areas. In this case, the projection setting unit 113 divides the large area 4 into a projection area 41 and a projection area 42. That is, the projection setting unit 113 divides the large area 4 into small areas 4A and 4B. The small area 4A corresponds to the whole of the projection area 41, and the small area 4B corresponds to the whole of the projection area 42. The projection setting unit 113 assigns the first video P1 to the small area 4A and assigns the third video P3 to the small area 4B. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6, the first video P1 is displayed in the projection area 41, and the third video P3 is displayed in the projection area 42.

[0057] FIG. 7 shows a display example when PC2A, PC2B, and PC2C each output one video as a video source. PC2A outputs the first video P1 to be displayed on display 20A under the control of the PC control unit 21. PC2B outputs the third video P3 to be displayed on display 20B under the control of the PC control unit 21. PC2C outputs the fourth video P4 to be displayed on display 20C under the control of the PC control unit 21. 。P PC2C is under the control of the PC control unit 21 and outputs the fourth video P4 to be displayed on display 20C.

[0058] The priority determination unit 114 determines the priorities of the first video P1, the third video P3, and the fourth video P4. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the priority of the first video P1 determined by the priority determination unit 114 is higher than the priorities of the third video P3 and the fourth video P4.

[0059] Based on the output of three videos in the display system 1000, the projection setting unit 113 of the projector 1A uses the large area 4 as three areas. In this case, the projection setting unit 113 divides the large area 4 into three areas with different areas according to the priority determined by the priority determination unit 114. Specifically, the large area 4 is divided into a small area 4A equal to the projection area 41, a small area 4C included in the projection area 42, and a small area 4D. Since the small area 4A has a larger area than the small areas 4C and 4D, a video with a higher priority is assigned to the small area 4A. Videos with a lower priority than the small area 4A are assigned to the small areas 4C and 4D. Specifically, the projection setting unit 113 assigns the first video P1 to the small area 4A, and assigns the third video P3 and the fourth video P4 to the small areas 4C and 4D, respectively. The projection setting unit 113 may perform an assignment corresponding to the priority based on the resolution of the display area instead of the area.

[0060] In this way, the projection setting unit 113 is the video output by the PC2 in the display system 1000 Corresponding to the number of images, the large area 4 is divided into one Define it as a small area or a plurality of small areas, and each of the small areas is assigned an image. Thereby, without the user using the PC2 having to consider the assignment of the images or perform setting operations, the large area 4 is appropriately divided, and one or a plurality of images can be displayed.

[0061] The projection setting unit 113 may determine the priority associated with each PC2. For example, the projection setting unit 113 may have a priority set in advance for each of the PC2A, 2B, and 2C. Also, for some of the plurality of PC2s included in the display system 1000, it may be set in advance to have a higher priority than other PC2s. Further, the projection setting unit 113 may determine the priority of the PC2 based on the order in which the output of the images starts. In this case, the priority determined for the PC2 is reflected in the priority of the image output by the PC2. Also, the projection setting unit 113 may determine the priority based on the attributes of the image data output by the PC2. For example, the projection setting unit 113 may determine the priority for each image based on the resolution and / or frame rate of the image.

[0062] [1-5. Operation of the Display System] FIGS. 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the operation of the display system 1000. In the first embodiment, the projector 1A executes the control shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0063] The PJ control unit 11 detects, by the input detection unit 111, the number of PC2s that output images in the display system 1000 (step S11). In step S11, the input detection unit 111 may detect the number of images output by the PC2. In the following description, the number of images output by the PC2 is denoted as M, and the number of projectors 1 is denoted as N. N is an integer of 2 or more, and M is an integer of 1 or more.

[0064] The projection setting unit 113 determines whether the number of PCs 2 detected by the input detection unit 111 is 2 or more (step S12). When the number of PCs 2 detected by the input detection unit 111 is 2 or more (step S12; YES), the PJ control unit 11 proceeds to step S21 (Fig. 9) described later.

[0065] When the number of PCs 2 detected by the input detection unit 111 is 1 (step S12; NO), the projection setting unit 113 determines whether an instruction to divide the large area 4 is given (step S13). The instruction to divide is an instruction to divide the large area 4 according to the number of videos output by the PC 2. This instruction is given, for example, when the PC 2A transmits control data to the projector 1A according to a user operation, or when the user operates the operation panel 68 or the remote control 70 of the projector 1A.

[0066] When an instruction to divide the large area 4 is given (step S13; YES), the projection setting unit 113 determines whether the number of videos detected by the input detection unit 111 is 1, that is, whether M = 1 (step S14). When M = 1 (step S14; YES), the projection setting unit 113 assigns one video output by the PC 2 to the entire large area 4 (step S15). Also, when an instruction to divide the large area 4 is not given (step S13; NO), the projection setting unit 113 performs the assignment in step S15.

[0067] The projection control unit 115 starts or updates the display of the video by the projectors 1A and 1B according to the assignment made by the projection setting unit 113 (step S16).

[0068] When the number of videos detected by the input detection unit 111 is not 1 (step S14; NO), that is, when M>1, the projection setting unit 113 divides the large area 4 into a plurality of small areas (step S17). The projection setting unit 113 assigns videos to each small area (step S18) and proceeds to step S16.

[0069] In steps S11 to S15, when the number of PCs 2 is less than the number of projectors 1, the PJ control unit 11 divides the large area 4 corresponding to the number of videos output by the PC 2, or uses the large area 4 as one display area to display the videos. When the number of PCs 2 is equal to or greater than the number of projectors 1, the PJ control unit 11 performs the processes of steps S21 to S27.

[0070] In step S21, the projection setting unit 113 determines whether the number of videos output by the PC 2 is the same as the number of projectors 1, that is, whether M = N (step S21). When the number of videos output by the PC 2 is the same as the number of projectors 1, that is, when M = N (step S21; YES), the PJ control unit 11 assigns the videos output by the PC 2 to the display areas of the projectors 1 on a one-to-one basis (step S22). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the video of PC 2A is assigned to the projection area 41, and the video of PC 2B is assigned to the projection area 42. After the process of step S22, the PJ control unit 11 proceeds to step S16.

[0071] When the number of videos output by the PC 2 is not the same as the number of projectors 1, that is, when M > N (step S21; NO), the projection setting unit 113 selects the projector 1 to be divided (step S23). The projector 1 to be divided is the projector 1 for which the projection area is to be divided. In the processes after step S23, the projection setting unit 113 divides the projection areas for some of the projectors 1 included in the display system 1000, and for some of the projectors 1, the projection areas are not divided and the images are assigned. In step S23, the projection setting unit 113 selects at least one projector 1 For example, the projection setting unit 113 selects the projector specified by the projection area specifying unit 112 reflect images to be divided. For example, the projection setting unit 113 selects the projector specified by the projection area specifying unit 112 Based on the relative position of Projector 1, select the outermost Projector 1 as the Projector 1 to be split. The Projector 1 selected in step S23 corresponds to an example of the device to be split. The Projector 1 selected in step S23 corresponds to an example of the device to be split. The Projector 1 selected in step S23 corresponds to an example of the device to be split.

[0072] The projection setting unit 113 divides the projection area of the Projector 1 to be split into a plurality of small areas (step S24). The number of small areas divided by the projection setting unit 113 in step S24 is obtained by M - N + 1. Here, the PJ control unit 11 determines the priority of the video output by the PC2 by the priority determination unit 114 (step S25).

[0073] The projection setting unit 113 assigns one video to each of the display areas of the Projectors 1 that are not the split target in descending order of priority (step S26). As a result, the video with the highest priority is displayed in the entire display area of one Projector 1.

[0074] The projection setting unit 113 assigns one video to each of the small areas divided in step S24 (step S27). In step S27, the projection setting unit 113 assigns the video with the lowest priority to the small areas.

[0075] Through the processes of steps S26 to S27, the videos are assigned to the display area of the Projector 1 to be split in ascending order of priority, and the videos with higher priority than these are assigned to the display area of the Projector 1 that is not the split target. After the process of step S27, the PJ control unit 11 proceeds to step S16.

[0076] [Summary of the First Embodiment] As described above, the display system 1000 of the first embodiment includes one or more PCs 2 and N projectors 1 (N is an integer of 2 or more). The display control method of the present disclosure outputs M (M is an integer of 1 or more) videos by the PC 2. When M < N, the large area 4, which is the entire projection area of the N projectors 1, is divided into M small areas 4A and 4B, and one video is assigned to each of the small areas 4A and 4B for display. When M = N, one video is assigned to the projection area 41 and 42 of each projector 1 for display.

[0077] According to the display control method of the present disclosure, without imposing a burden on the user operating the PC 2, videos can be appropriately assigned and displayed in the large area 4 according to the number of videos output by the PC 2.

[0078] The display device of the present disclosure is a projector 1A that displays a video in a projection area, and includes one or more PCs 2 and a communication interface 17 connected to (N - 1) external projectors 1 (N is an integer of 2 or more), which is the projector 1B. The projector 1A includes a PJ control unit 11 that assigns and displays M (M is an integer of 1 or more) videos output by the PC 2 in the projection area and the projection area of the external projector 1. When M < N, the PJ control unit 11 divides the entire projection area 41 of the projector 1A and the projection area 4 of the projector 1B into M small areas 4A and 4B, and assigns and displays one video to each of the small areas 4A and 4B. When M = N, one video is assigned to the projection area 41 and the projection area 42 2 for display. for display. for display.

[0079] According to the projector 1A of the present disclosure, the images output by the PC 2 can be appropriately assigned and displayed in the large area 4 according to the number of images output by the PC 2 without imposing a burden on the user operating the PC 2.

[0080] The above display control method can be applied when a plurality of images are output from one PC 2. In this case, regardless of the number of PCs 2, the images can be appropriately assigned and displayed in the large area 4 according to the number of images output by the PC 2.

[0081] In the case where N < M, the above display control method uses one projector 1 as the projector 1 to be divided, and each of the N - 1 projectors 1 excluding the projector 1 to be divided is assigned one image for display, and the projection area of the projector 1 to be divided is divided into (M - N + 1) small areas, and one image is assigned to each small area for display. This makes it possible to divide the projection area and display more images than the number of projectors 1 in the large area 4. Also, by performing the process of selecting the projector 1 to be divided, it is possible to display the image larger by the projector 1 that is not the division target. In addition, even when the number N of projectors 1 is not a multiple of the number of images output by the PC 2 it is possible to display the images in a manner with excellent visibility. M case

[0082] The above display control method determines the priorities of the M images output by the PC 2, and displays the (M - N + 1) images with relatively low priorities by the projector 1 to be divided. As a result, a plurality of images output by the PC 2 can be displayed in the large area 4, and furthermore, the images with high priorities can be displayed in a manner with better visibility.

[0083] [2. Second Embodiment] ​FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the PC2 of the second embodiment, showing the configuration of the PC2D. The display system 1000 of the second embodiment includes at least one PC2D. For example, in the display system 1000, the PC2D replaces the PC2A, 2B, and 2C described in the first embodiment, or is configured to be provided in the display system 1000 in addition to the PC2A, 2B, and 2C.

[0084] Similar to the PC2A, the PC2D has a PC storage unit 23, a PC display unit 24, a PC input unit 25, a PC communication unit 26, and a bus 27. The PC2D includes a PC control unit 21D. The PC control unit 21D includes a PC processor 22D and a PC storage unit 23. The PC processor 22D is composed of a processor such as a CPU or an MPU. The PC control unit 21D controls each part of the PC2D by executing a program by the PC processor 22D. The PC control unit 21D corresponds to an example of an output device control unit.

[0085] The PC storage unit 23 stores setting data 234 and a control program 235.

[0086] The PC processor 22D includes an output detection unit 221, a projection area specifying unit 222, a projection setting unit 223, and a priority determination unit 224. These functional units are realized by the cooperation of software and hardware when the PC processor 22D executes the control program 235.

[0087] The output detection unit 221 detects the number of videos output by the PC2 in the display system 1000. The number of videos detected by the output detection unit 221 includes the videos output by the PC2D and the videos output by the PC2 other than the PC2D. The output detection unit 221 detects the video source and the number of videos in the same manner as the input detection unit 111, for example, by communicating with other PC2s through the PC communication unit 26.

[0088] The projection area specifying unit 222 functions in the same manner as the projection area specifying unit 112. The projection area specifying unit 222 specifies the number and positional relationship of the projection areas included in the display system 1000. For example, the projection area specifying unit 222 specifies the number of the projection areas 41 and 42 shown in FIG. 1, and the relative positional relationship between the projection area 41 and the projection area 42. The projection area specifying unit 222 may specify the number and positional relationship of the projection areas, for example, by communicating with the projectors 1A and 1B via the PC communication unit 26. Further, the projection area specifying unit 222 may specify the number and positional relationship of the projection areas based on the content input by the PC input unit 25.

[0089] The projection setting unit 223 performs the assignment of the video in the entire projection area of the display system 1000 specified by the projection area specifying unit 222, that is, in the large area 4. For example, specifically, the projection setting unit 223 divides the large area 4 according to the number of videos specified by the output detection unit 221, and performs the process of arranging the videos output by the PC 2 in the large area 4. The projection setting unit 223 can also assign one video to the entire large area 4. The projection setting unit 223 can also perform area division and video assignment for each of the projection areas 41 and 42. The division of the large area 4 and the assignment of videos to the areas obtained by dividing the large area 4 are the same as the operations of the projection setting unit 113 described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7. The projection setting unit 223 stores the mode of division of the large area 4 and the result of video assignment in the PC storage unit 23 as setting data 234.

[0090] When the PC 2 outputs a plurality of videos, the priority determination unit 224 determines the priority of each video. The priority of a video is the relative rank of each video output by the PC 2. The projection setting unit 223 may perform the process of allocating the area for displaying the video in the large area 4 according to the priority of the video. For example, a small area in the large area 4 is allocated to a video with a low priority.

[0091] The projection setting unit 223 controls the display system 1000 so that the projectors 1A and 1B project images according to the setting data 234. In this case, the projection setting unit 223 designates, for the projectors 1A and 1B, the presence or absence of division of the projection area 42, the number of areas for dividing the projection area 42, the images to be displayed in each area obtained by dividing the projection area 42, etc., according to the assignment of the images indicated by the setting data 234, and causes the projection to be executed. Further, the projection setting unit 223 may designate an output destination for outputting an image to the PCs 2A, 2B, and 2C through the communication network NW. In this case, the projection setting unit 223 designates, for each of the image sources detected by the output detection unit 221 among the PCs 2A, 2B, and 2C, whether to output each image to the projector 1A or to the projector 1B. Thereby, according to the assignment determined by the projection setting unit 223, each of the PCs 2 that are image sources can be caused to output an image.

[0092] In the second embodiment, the PC control unit 21D executes the functions of the input detection unit 111, the projection area specifying unit 112, the projection setting unit 113, and the priority determination unit 114 described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. Thereby, as described in the first embodiment, based on the number M of images output by the PC 2 and the number N of projectors 1, the display mode of the images in the large area 4 can be set. These functions can be executed by the PC 2D.

[0093] In the second embodiment, both of the projectors 1A and 1B may be configured not to include the input detection unit 111, the projection area specifying unit 112, the projection setting unit 113, and the priority determination unit 114.

[0094] As described above, the PC2D according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is a video output device connected to N (N is an integer of 2 or more) projectors 1 and outputs M (M is an integer of 1 or more) videos. When M < N, the PC2D divides the entire projection area of the N projectors 1 into M small areas by the PC control unit 21D, assigns one video to each small area, and causes the projector 1 to display the video. When M = N, one video is assigned to the projection area of each projector 1, and the projector 1 displays the video.

[0095] According to the display control method in the display system 1000 of the second embodiment and the PC2D, the video output from the PC2 can be appropriately assigned to and displayed in the large area 4 according to the number of videos by controlling the PC2D, without imposing a burden on the user who operates the PC2.

[0096] [3. Other Embodiments] The above-described first and second embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0097] For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, when M > N, a configuration in which one projector 1 is used as the projector 1 to be divided for display has been described. However, a plurality of projectors 1 may be used as the objects to be divided. Also, the mode of dividing the projection area 42 of the projector 1 to be divided is arbitrary. For example, the projection area 42 may be divided into four small areas, and videos may be displayed in three of these small areas. Further, when dividing the large area 4 into small areas, the sizes and resolutions of the respective small areas may be different. In this case, a video with a higher priority may be assigned to a larger small area.

[0098] The display device is not limited to the projector 1. For example, it may be a self-luminous display device such as a liquid crystal display device that displays an image on a liquid crystal display panel, a display device that displays an image on an organic EL panel, a monitor, or a liquid crystal television, or other various display devices may be used.

[0099] In addition, the functions of the PJ control unit 11 and the PC control unit 21 may be realized by a plurality of processors or semiconductor chips.

[0100] Each functional unit of the projectors 1A, PCs 2A, and 2D shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 10 shows a functional configuration, and the specific implementation form is not particularly limited. That is, it is not necessarily the case that hardware corresponding to each functional unit is individually mounted, and of course, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which one processor executes a program to realize the functions of a plurality of functional units. Further, in the above-described embodiments and modifications, part of the functions realized by software may be realized by hardware, and part of the functions realized by hardware may be realized by software.

[0101] In addition, the processing units of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are divided according to the main processing content in order to facilitate understanding of the processing of the PJ control unit 11, and the present invention is not limited by the way of dividing the processing units or their names. The processing of the PJ control unit 11 can be further divided into more processing units according to the processing content, or can be divided such that one processing unit includes more processing. Also, the processing order of the above-described flowcharts is not limited to the illustrated examples. The same applies to the processing of the PC control unit 21D.

[0102] The control program 121 executed by the PJ control unit 11 and the control program 235 executed by the PC control unit 21D can also be recorded, for example, on a recording medium that can be read by the projector 1A or the PC 2D. As the recording medium, a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory device can be used. Specifically, portable or fixed recording media such as flexible disks, CD-ROMs (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), Blu-ray (registered trademark) Discs, magneto-optical disks, flash memories, and card-type recording media can be mentioned. Also, these programs can be stored in a server device or the like, and the above-described display control method can be realized by downloading the control program from the server device to the projector 1A or the PC 2D.

Explanation of Signs

[0103] 1, 1A, 1B... projectors (display devices), 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D... PCs (video output devices), 4... large areas, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D... small areas (sub-areas), 11... PJ control unit (display device control unit), 14... frame memory, 15... buffer unit, 17... communication interface (connection unit), 20A, 20B, 20C... displays, 21, 21D... PC control units (output device control units), 22, 22D... PC processors, 23... PC storage unit, 24... PC display unit, 25... PC input unit, 26... PC communication unit, 41, 42... projection areas, 50... projection unit, 67... input processing unit, 70... remote control, 110... PJ processor, 111... input detection unit, 112... projection area specifying unit, 113... projection setting unit, 114... priority determination unit, 115... projection control unit, 120... PJ storage unit, 121... control program, 122... setting data, 221... output detection unit, 222... projection area specifying unit, 223... projection setting unit, 224... priority determination unit, 231... OS, 232... application program, 233... video data, 234... setting data, 235... control program, NW... communication network, SC... screen.

Claims

1. One or more video output devices, and N (where N is an integer of 2 or more) display devices including a first display device, which are connected to the video output device via a network, by a display system including: wherein: the video output device outputs M (where M is an integer of 1 or more) videos; when M < N, the first display device divides the entire display area of the N display devices into M sub-areas, and displays one video assigned to each sub-area by the first display device via the network; when M = N, one of the videos assigned to each display device by the first display device via the network is displayed in the display area of each display device; when N < M, the first display device selects one of the display devices as a display device to be divided, and displays one of the videos assigned to each of the N - 1 display devices other than the display device to be divided by the first display device via the network, and the first display device divides the display area of the display device to be divided into (M - N + 1) sub-areas, and displays one of the videos assigned to each sub-area by the first display device via the network. A display control method.

2. The display control method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the videos are output from one of the video output devices.

3. The display control method according to claim 1, wherein the priorities of the M videos output by the video output device are determined, and (M - N + 1) videos with relatively low priorities are displayed by the display device to be divided.

4. A display device for displaying a video in a display area, comprising: one or more video output devices, and a connection unit connected to (N - 1) (where N is an integer of 2 or more) external display devices via a network; a display device control unit for allocating and displaying M (where M is an integer of 1 or more) videos output by the video output device in the display area and the display areas of the external display devices; wherein the display device control unit: when M < N, divides the entire display area of the display device and the display areas of the external display devices into M sub-areas, and assigns and displays one video to each sub-area via the network; when M = N, assigns and displays one of the videos to the display area and the display areas of each of the external display devices via the network; ​ ​ ​ ​ 、 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ When N < M, one of the display devices is used as the display device to be divided, and one of the videos is assigned to each of the N - 1 display devices excluding the display device to be divided via the network for display, and the display area of the display device to be divided is divided into (M - N + 1) sub-areas, and one of the videos is assigned to each of the sub-areas via the network for display. display device. When N < M, one of the display devices is used as the display device to be divided, and one of the videos is assigned to each of the N - 1 display devices excluding the display device to be divided via the network for display, and the display area of the display device to be divided is divided into (M - N + 1) sub-areas, and one of the videos is assigned to each of the sub-areas via the network for display. display device. display device.

Images