Image display system and method

Abstract

To provide an image display system and a method capable of reducing power consumption.SOLUTION: According to one embodiment, an image display system is provided including: a source device that transmits image data, a sink device that receives the image data, and an HDMI cable that connects the source device and the sink device. The source device includes transmitting means configured to transmit a plurality of pieces of image data via the HDMI cable. The sink device includes: receiving means configured to receive the transmitted plurality of pieces of image data; storage means configured to store the received plurality of pieces of image data; and display controlling means configured to execute display control processing of repeatedly displaying the plurality of pieces of image data stored in the storage means. The transmitting means does not transmit the image data while the display control processing is being executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an image display system and method.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, an image display system in which a source device (a transmission device that transmits image data) and a sink device (a reception device that receives image data) are connected by an HDMI (registered trademark) cable is known.

[0003] By the way, the image data transmitted from the source device via the HDMI cable in the above-described image display system is received by the sink device and then displayed on the sink device. When displaying the image data on the sink device, the source device needs to continuously transmit the image data to the sink device 20, and the power consumption in the image display system (source device) increases.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an image display system and method capable of achieving power saving.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to one embodiment, an image display system is provided comprising a source device for transmitting image data, a sink device for receiving the image data, and an HDMI cable connecting the source device and the sink device. The source device includes a transmitting means for transmitting a plurality of image data via the HDMI cable. The sink device includes a receiving means for receiving the transmitted plurality of image data, a storage means for storing the received plurality of image data, and a display control means for executing a display control process that repeatedly displays the plurality of image data stored in the storage means. The transmitting means does not transmit image data while the display control process is being executed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A diagram illustrating the overview of the image display system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram showing an example of the source equipment configuration. [Figure 3] A diagram showing an example of the configuration of a sink system. [Figure 4] A sequence chart showing an example of the processing steps for image saving. [Figure 5] A sequence chart showing an example of the processing steps for image display. [Figure 6] A sequence chart showing an example of the processing procedure for changing display control information. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the overview of the image display system according to this embodiment. The image display system 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a source device 10, a sink device 20, and an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cable 30.

[0009] Source device 10 corresponds to a transmitting device that transmits image data to sink device 20. Source device 10 includes, for example, a recorder, optical disc player, set-top box, video camera, personal computer, and smartphone.

[0010] The sink device 20 corresponds to a receiving device that receives image data transmitted from the source device 10 and is configured to display the received image data. The sink device 20 includes, for example, a television (television receiver), monitor, projector, personal computer, smartphone, and digital signage.

[0011] The HDMI cable 30 is a cable that conforms to the video interface standard known as HDMI, and connects the source device 10 and the sink device 20. The source device 10 can transmit image data to the sink device 20 via the HDMI cable 30, and the sink device 20 can receive image data transmitted from the source device 10 via the HDMI cable 30.

[0012] Furthermore, the source device 10 and the sink device 20, which are connected by the HDMI cable 30, can send and receive CEC commands (Consumer Electronics Control). CEC commands are control signals that enable the link function between the source device 10 and the sink device 20.

[0013] In this embodiment, the image data may be still image data or moving image data (video data). Furthermore, although this embodiment mainly describes the transmission of image data from source device 10 to sink device 20, audio data may be added to the image data.

[0014] In the image display system 1 described above, image data (for example, still images) transmitted from the source device 10 via the HDMI cable 30 is displayed on the sink device 20. However, when the source device 10 displays the image data on the sink device 20, it needs to continuously transmit the image data to the sink device 20. In such a configuration, the power consumption of the image display system 1 (source device 10) becomes high.

[0015] Incidentally, signage systems that use digital signage (large display panels, etc.) as sink equipment 20 are generally used to disseminate information, and in such signage systems, multiple still images (data) are often displayed repeatedly in order to ensure reliable information notification.

[0016] In this embodiment, assuming that the image display system 1 is, for example, the signage system described above, a mechanism for achieving power saving in the image display system 1 is provided.

[0017] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of the source device 10 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, the source device 10 includes a CPU 11, memory 12, storage 13, frame buffer 14, and HDMI transmitter 15.

[0018] The CPU 11 is a processor for controlling the operations of each component within the source device 10. The Memory 12 is a main memory device such as, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). The Storage 13 is an auxiliary storage device such as, for example, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a SSD (Solid State Drive). The Frame buffer 14 has a storage area for temporarily holding data. The HDMI transmitter 15 is configured to transmit image data via an HDMI cable 30 (HDMI interface). Further, the HDMI transmitter 15 has a function of transmitting and receiving the above-described CEC commands.

[0019] The above-described CPU 11, Memory 12, Storage 13, Frame buffer 14, and HDMI transmitter 15 are connected via a System bus, while the Frame buffer 14 and the HDMI transmitter 15 are connected via a local bus.

[0020] Note that the source device 10 in the present embodiment operates to transmit a plurality of image data (video data) based on content data stored in, for example, the Storage 13 from the HDMI transmitter 15 to the sink device 20. Details of the operation of the source device 10 will be described later.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the sink device 20 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the sink device 20 includes a CPU 21, a Memory (memory) 22, a Storage (storage) 23, a Frame buffer (frame buffer) 24, an HDMI receiver (HDMI receiver) 25, and a Display panel sys (display panel system) 26.

[0022] The CPU 21 is a processor for controlling the operation of each component within the sink device 20. Memory 22 is a main memory, such as RAM. Storage 23 is an auxiliary storage device (secondary storage device), such as an HDD or SSD. Frame buffer 24 has a storage area for temporarily holding data. HDMI receiver 25 is configured to receive image data via an HDMI cable 30 (HDMI interface). Furthermore, HDMI transmitter 15 has the function of sending and receiving the CEC commands described above. Display panel sys 26 has a display panel for displaying image data and a controller for controlling the display of said image data.

[0023] The CPU21, Memory22, Storage23, Frame buffer24, HDMIreceiver25, and Display panel sys26 described above are connected via the System bus, however, the HDMIreceiver25 and Frame buffer24 may be connected via the local bus, and the Frame buffer24 and Display panel sys26 may also be connected via the local bus.

[0024] In this embodiment, the sink device 20 stores multiple image data received by, for example, the HDMI receiver 25 in Storage 23, and displays the multiple image data stored in Storage 23 on Display panel sys 26. The detailed operation of the sink device 20 will be described later.

[0025] The operation of the image display system 1 according to this embodiment will be described below. This section will describe the process of saving multiple image data transmitted from the source device 10 via the HDMI cable 30 to the sink device 20 (hereinafter referred to as the image saving process) and the process of displaying the saved multiple image data on the sink device 20 (hereinafter referred to as the image display process).

[0026] First, we will explain an example of the processing procedure for the image saving process described above, referring to the sequence chart in Figure 4.

[0027] When image saving processing is performed, the source device 10 notifies the sink device 20 to start saving image data, for example, in response to an operation by the user using the source device 10 (step S1).

[0028] When the process in step S1 is executed, the sink device 20 sends an ACK response to the notification in step S1 to the source device 10 (step S2).

[0029] When source device 10 receives the ACK response sent in step S2, it notifies sink device 20 to start transmitting image data (step S3).

[0030] When the process in step S3 is executed, the sink device 20 sends an ACK response to the notification in step S3 to the source device 10 (step S4).

[0031] When the source device 10 receives the ACK response sent in step S4, it starts transmitting image data. In this case, the source device 10 retrieves image data specified by the user using the source device 10 from Storage 13, and transmits the retrieved image data to the sink device 20 (step S5). In step S5, the image data is transmitted from the HDMI transmitter 15 to the sink device 20 via the HDMI cable 30's image data transmission lane.

[0032] For convenience, this explanation assumes that image data stored in Storage 13 is transmitted. However, in step S5, for example, content data stored in Storage may be placed in Memory 12, and image data (video data) generated by performing predetermined processing related to content playback, etc., on the content data placed in Memory 12 may also be transmitted.

[0033] When the sink device 20 receives the image data transmitted in step S5, it stores (saves) the received image data in Storage 23. The image data may be temporarily held in Frame buffer 24 before being stored in Storage 13.

[0034] Once the image data is stored in Storage 23, the sink device 20 notifies the source device 10 that the saving of the image data is complete (step S6).

[0035] When the process in step S6 is executed, the source device 10 sends an ACK response to the notification in step S6 to the sink device 20 (step S7).

[0036] In this embodiment, it is assumed that multiple image data are specified by the user using the source device 10, and the processing in steps S5 to S7 described above is repeatedly executed for each of the multiple image data. When the processing in steps S5 to S7 is repeatedly executed for each of the multiple image data, the image data may be temporarily held in the frame buffer 14 before being transmitted from the HDMI transmitter 15.

[0037] As described above, once all of the multiple image data specified by the user have been sent from the source device 10 to the sink device 20, the source device 10 notifies the sink device 20 that it has finished saving the image data (step S8).

[0038] When the process in step S8 is executed, the sink device 20 sends an ACK response to the instruction in step S8 to the source device 10 (step S9).

[0039] The processes described in steps S1-S4 and S6-S9 above are executed using CEC commands transmitted and received via the HDMI cable 30.

[0040] Furthermore, although the image storage process described above was explained as being stored in the Storage 23 of the sink device 20 after the image data transmitted in step S5 is stored, the image data may also be stored in the Storage 23 after being compressed, for example.

[0041] Next, referring to the sequence chart in Figure 5, we will explain an example of the processing procedure for the image display process described above.

[0042] When image display processing is performed, the source device 10 instructs, for example, the user using the source device 10 to start displaying the image data (step S11).

[0043] When the process in step S11 is executed, the sink device 20 sends an ACK response to the instruction in step S11 to the source device 10 (step S12).

[0044] Next, the sink device 20 starts a display control process to display (play back) the multiple image data stored in Storage 23 as a result of the image saving process described above.

[0045] The display control process will now be described. In this embodiment, the display control information used in the display control process is stored in the sink device 20 (Display panel sys26). The display control information is generated, for example, in response to the operation of a user using the source device 10, and is transmitted from the source device 10 to the sink device 20 using the CEC command described above.

[0046] Display control information includes, for example, image number information, display interval information, display order information, and transition information.

[0047] Image number information is information used to specify which image to display on the sink device 20 (Display panel sys26) from among the multiple image data stored in the Storage 23 described above. Each of the multiple image data stored in Storage 23 is assigned a different number, and the image number information includes, for example, a start number and an end number. With such image number information, it is possible to instruct the display of multiple image data to which each of the corresponding numbers between the start number and the end number is assigned (i.e., multiple image data with consecutive numbers). Alternatively, the image number information may include multiple numbers and instruct the display of multiple image data to which each of the multiple numbers is assigned (i.e., multiple image data with non-consecutive numbers).

[0048] Display interval information is information used to specify the time interval at which each of the multiple image data that have been instructed to be displayed by the image number information will be displayed. For example, the display interval information can specify a time interval in milliseconds (msec).

[0049] Display order information is information that specifies the order in which each of the multiple image data that have been instructed to be displayed by the image number information will be displayed. Display order information may specify, for example, a first order in which the multiple image data are displayed in ascending order of the numbers assigned to the image data, a second order in which the multiple image data are displayed in descending order of the numbers assigned to the image data, or a third order in which the multiple image data are displayed randomly.

[0050] Transition information is information used to specify the transitions (effects) to be applied when displaying multiple image data that have been instructed to be displayed by image number information. Transition information may specify transitions such as wipe, slide, zoom, white-in, and white-out.

[0051] In the display control process, the controller of the Display panel sys26 acquires multiple image data from Storage23 based on the image number information included in the display control information, and displays the acquired multiple image data on the display panel of the Display panel sys26 based on the display interval information, display order information, and transition information included in the display control information. In this case, the multiple image data acquired from Storage23 may be temporarily held in Frame buffer24 and processed sequentially by the Display panel sys26.

[0052] Although the explanation assumes that the display control information includes image number information, if, for example, all of the multiple image data stored in Storage23 are to be displayed, this image number information may be omitted.

[0053] Furthermore, although it has been explained that the display control information includes display interval information, display order information, and transition information, some of this display interval information, display order information, and transition information may be omitted.

[0054] Furthermore, the display control information may include front cover information and back cover information. The front cover information is information indicating the image data (and the number assigned to it) that is displayed first in the display control process and the display period of said image data. The back cover information is information indicating the image data (and the number assigned to it) that is displayed last in the display control process and the display period of said image data.

[0055] Furthermore, if compressed image data is stored in Storage23 as described above, the image data only needs to be displayed after it has been decompressed (expanded).

[0056] In this embodiment, the display control process described above is performed repeatedly (i.e., multiple image data are repeatedly displayed based on the display control information). When such display control process is to be terminated, the source device 10 instructs, for example, the user using the source device 10 to stop displaying the image data (step S13).

[0057] When the process in step S13 is executed, the sink device 20 sends an ACK response to the instruction in step S13 to the source device 10 (step S14).

[0058] In this case, the sink device 20 terminates the display control process described above and notifies the source device 10 that the display control process has been completed (step S15).

[0059] When the process in step S15 is executed, the source device 10 sends an ACK response to the notification in step S15 to the sink device 20 (step S16).

[0060] The processes described in steps S11 to S16 above are executed using CEC commands transmitted and received via the HDMI cable 30.

[0061] Furthermore, in the image display processing of this embodiment, the source device 10 operates in such a way that it does not transmit image data while the display control processing is being performed in the sink device 20. In this case, the source device 10 may, for example, stop supplying power to the HDMI transmitter 15 after the display control processing has started, or it may turn off the power to the source device 10.

[0062] Furthermore, although Figure 5 describes the process as being executed in steps S11 to S16, after the execution of steps S11 to S16, a process may be executed in which the source device 10 requests the sink device 20 to check the completion status of the display control process. With such a process, the source device 10 (or the user using it) can confirm whether the display control process has completed successfully.

[0063] In this embodiment, the display control information is generated in the source device 10 (i.e., the display control process is executed in response to instructions from the source device 10), but the display control information can be modified in response to instructions from the source device 10.

[0064] The following describes an example of the processing procedure for changing display control information, referring to the sequence chart in Figure 6.

[0065] First, the source device 10 instructs, for example, the user using the source device 10 to refer to display control information (step S21).

[0066] When the process in step S21 is executed, the sink device 20 sends an ACK response to the instruction in step S21 to the source device 10 (step S22).

[0067] Next, the sink device 20 reads the display control information stored within the sink device 20 (Display panel sys26). The display control information read in this way is transmitted to the source device 10 (step S23).

[0068] When the process in step S23 is executed, the source device 10 sends an ACK response to the display control information transmitted in step S23 to the sink device 20 (step S24).

[0069] Although the process in step S23 is executed using a CEC command, there is a limit to the amount of data (bytes) that can be transmitted using this CEC command. Therefore, the display control information is transmitted in segments. In other words, steps S23 and S24 described above are repeatedly executed until all of the segmented display control information has been transmitted.

[0070] Once all of the display control information has been transmitted, the sink device 20 notifies the source device 10 that the transmission of the display control information has been completed (step S25).

[0071] When the process in step S25 is executed, the source device 10 sends an ACK response to the notification in step S25 to the sink device 20 (step S26).

[0072] Here, the user using the source device 10 can refer to the display control information transmitted from the sink device 20 in step S23 described above and perform operations to change at least a part of the display control information (for example, image number information, display interval information, display order information, or transition information).

[0073] In this case, the source device 10 sends a tag (hereinafter referred to as the change tag) indicating the changed portion of the display control information to the sink device 20 (step S27).

[0074] When the process in step S27 is executed, the sink device 20 sends an ACK response to the change tag sent in step S27 to the source device 10 (step S28).

[0075] Next, the source device 10 transmits the modified display control information to the sink device 20 (step S29). In this case, the source device 10 can reduce the amount of communication by transmitting only the modified portion of the display control information.

[0076] The sink device 20 writes the modified portion of the display control information transmitted in step S29 to the portion of the display control information held within the sink device 20 (Display panel sys26) indicated by the modification tag transmitted in step S27.

[0077] As described above, once the writing of the display control information is complete, the sink device 20 sends an ACK response to the source device 10 (step S30).

[0078] As described above, in this embodiment, the source device 10 transmits multiple image data via the HDMI cable 30, and the sink device 20 receives the multiple image data transmitted from the source device 10 and stores the received multiple image data in Storage 23. In addition, in this embodiment, the sink device 20 executes a display control process that repeatedly displays the multiple image data stored in Storage 23, and the source device 10 does not transmit image data while the display control process is being executed.

[0079] In this embodiment, with this configuration, the source device 10 does not need to continuously transmit image data displayed on the sink device 20 (Display panel sys26) to the sink device 20, thus enabling power saving in the image display system 1 (source device 10).

[0080] In this embodiment, display control processing is performed based on display control information (information for controlling the display of multiple image data) generated in the source device 10. The display control information includes at least one of the following: display interval information for specifying the interval at which each of the multiple image data is displayed; display order information for specifying the order in which each of the multiple image data is displayed; and transition information for specifying the transition to be applied when each of the multiple image data is displayed. Furthermore, the display control information can be changed based on instructions from the source device 10. In this embodiment, with this configuration, it is possible to display multiple image data stored in Storage 23 in a manner desired by the user using the source device 10.

[0081] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sink device 20 starts displaying multiple data based on instructions from the source device 10, but the source device 10 can stop operating after the display control processing by the sink device 20 (Display panel sys26) has started (for example, by stopping the power supply to the HDMI transmitter 15 or turning off the power to the source device 10). With such a configuration, the power consumption of the source device 10 can be further reduced.

[0082] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 1…Image display system, 10…Source device, 11…CPU, 12…Memory, 13…Storage, 14…Frame buffer, 15…HDMI transmitter, 20…Sink device, 21…CPU, 22…Memory, 23…Storage, 24…Frame buffer, 25…HDMI receiver, 26…Display panel system, 30…HDMI cable.

Claims

1. In an image display system comprising a source device for transmitting image data, a sink device for receiving the image data, and an HDMI cable for connecting the source device and the sink device, The source device includes a transmission means for transmitting a plurality of image data via the HDMI cable. The aforementioned sink equipment is Receiving means for receiving the multiple transmitted image data, A storage means for storing the multiple received image data, A display control means that performs a display control process that repeatedly displays a plurality of image data stored in the storage means. Includes, The transmission means does not transmit image data while the display control process is being executed. Image display system.

2. The display control means executes the display control process based on display control information for controlling the display of the plurality of image data. The display control information is generated in the source device. The image display system according to claim 1.

3. The image display system according to claim 2, wherein the display control information includes at least one of display interval information for instructing the interval at which each of the plurality of image data is displayed, display order information for instructing the order in which each of the plurality of image data is displayed, and transition information for instructing the transition to be applied when each of the plurality of image data is displayed.

4. The image display system according to claim 2, wherein the display control information is changed based on instructions from the source device.

5. The display control means starts the display control process based on an instruction from the source device. The source device stops operating after the display control process has started. The image display system according to claim 1.

6. A method performed by an image display system comprising a source device for transmitting image data, a sink device for receiving the image data, and an HDMI cable for connecting the source device and the sink device, The source device transmits multiple image data via the HDMI cable, The sink device receives the transmitted plurality of image data, The sink device stores the received plurality of image data in a storage means, The sink device performs a display control process that repeatedly displays a plurality of image data stored in the storage means. It is equipped with, The source device does not transmit image data while the display control process is being executed. Image display method.

7. Executing the display control process includes executing the display control process based on display control information for controlling the display of the plurality of image data, The display control information is generated in the source device. The image display method according to claim 6.

8. The image display method according to claim 7, wherein the display control information includes at least one of display interval information for instructing the interval at which each of the plurality of image data is displayed, display order information for instructing the order in which each of the plurality of image data is displayed, and transition information for instructing the transition to be applied when each of the plurality of image data is displayed.

9. The image display method according to claim 7, wherein the display control information is changed based on instructions from the source device.

10. Executing the display control process includes starting the display control process based on an instruction from the source device, The source device stops operating after the display control process has started. The image display method according to claim 6.

Images