Expandable hybrid display device and control method therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to an expandable hybrid display device comprising: a first display device; a plurality of second display devices formed on the circumference of the first display device; a master control board, which receives an image from an image supply and control computer so as to provide same to the first display device; and a plurality of slave control boards, which receives the image from the master control board so as to provide same to the plurality of second display devices, wherein the master control board and the plurality of slave control boards provide the image to the first and second display devices, and perform image scaling, timing synchronization and size synchronization according to the characteristics and specifications of each display device in accordance with a selected normal mode and expanded mode.

Description

Expandable hybrid display device and control method thereof

[0001] The present invention relates to an expandable hybrid display device and a control method thereof.

[0002] With recent advancements in video display technology, display devices (or simply referred to as display panels or displays) with various characteristics and uses are being released.

[0003] For example, there are various types of display devices, such as LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes), and LED (Light Emitting Diodes) displays.

[0004] At this time, gaming display devices are required to have a more splendid and unique design compared to general display devices, and for this purpose, hybrid display devices that combine a curved LCD panel with an LED display device with less shape restrictions are required, and the proportion of those who require maximizing visual effects through hybrid display devices is increasing.

[0005] As described above, a hybrid display device suitable for a gaming display device is composed of an LCD display device having relatively high pixels and a small pixel pitch as a main display device, and an LED display device having relatively low pixels and a large pixel pitch and arranged around the LCD display device as a secondary display device.

[0006] However, as described above, when trying to implement a hybrid display device by combining display devices (e.g., LCD, LED, etc.) with different characteristics or specifications (including electrical specifications and physical specifications) of the display devices themselves, there are difficulties in implementing the hybrid display device due to various problems as follows.

[0007] For example, there is a problem that a separate driving device and separate content are required to drive each display device, and there is a problem that a sense of heterogeneity occurs due to a difference in the output timing of the image as a result of a difference in the output time compared to the input time of the signal due to differences in the driving method and characteristics of each display device (e.g., pixels, etc.), and there is also a problem that a sense of visual heterogeneity occurs due to a difference in the pixel pitch of each display device.

[0008] Additionally, to configure a single screen with an LED display, many LED modules and multiple control devices to drive each LED module are generally required.

[0009] At this time, the control device for driving the LED display (i.e., multiple LED modules) (i.e., multiple control devices for driving each of the multiple LED modules) uses the Ethernet port transmission method of the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) as if it were a standard technology.

[0010] However, transmission using Ethernet has the advantage of using a general-purpose LAN cable and allowing long-distance transmission, but it requires a separate PHY (Physical Layer) chip in each control device and requires additional encoding / decoding of UDP (User Datagram Protocol) data, so it has the problem of being inefficient in terms of maintaining video synchronization.

[0011] Therefore, devices that do not require long-distance transmission (i.e., hybrid display devices for gaming that do not require long-distance transmission, such as scoreboards in stadiums) require an efficient transmission method that primarily aims for video synchronization between each control device (i.e., multiple control devices for driving multiple LED modules, respectively) because multiple LED modules are formed physically close together in a limited space.

[0012] The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an expandable hybrid display device and a control method that enable fast data transmission for image synchronization between a plurality of display devices combined as an expandable hybrid display device.

[0013] An expandable hybrid display device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a first display device; a plurality of second display devices formed around the first display device; a master control board which receives an image from an image supply and control computer and provides it to the first display device; and a plurality of slave control boards which receive an image from the master control board and provide it to the plurality of second display devices, wherein the master control board and the plurality of slave control boards provide an image to the first and second display devices, and are characterized in that they perform image scale, timing synchronization, and size synchronization according to the characteristics and specifications of each display device, according to a selected normal mode and an extended mode.

[0014] In the present invention, the master control board and the plurality of slave control boards are characterized in that they provide images in the LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) method, or in any one of V-by-One, eDP, HDMI, and SDI methods.

[0015] In the present invention, the master control board and the slave control board are characterized by including a scaler module for selecting a port through which an image is input from the image supply and control computer, converting output of a resolution suitable for the characteristics of each display device and converting the input signal to a PHY (Physical Layer), and adjusting the size of the image to the size of each display device.

[0016] In the present invention, the master control board and the slave control board are characterized by including an image synchronization and distribution module that performs timing synchronization for an image output to each display device based on the image input-to-output response time of each display device, following the characteristics of the first display device.

[0017] In the present invention, the master control board and the slave control board are characterized by including a processor that performs size synchronization for an image output to the corresponding display device based on a pixel and pitch ratio between each display device, following the characteristics of the first display device.

[0018] In the present invention, the extended mode is characterized in that it is a mode that allows at least one of a plurality of display devices to be designated and a function corresponding to the general mode to be performed through the designated display device.

[0019] In the present invention, the master control board and the slave control board are characterized in that, when an image is input, the master control board stores the image in an internal memory module, selects a first image to be output to the first display device, performs image synchronization to output the first image at a normal speed to an active area of ​​the first display device, and then transmits the synchronized first image to the image transmission port of the first display device.

[0020] In the present invention, the master control board and the slave control board are characterized in that they select a second image to be output to a second display device from the input image, perform image synchronization to output the second image at a normal speed to an active area of ​​the second display device, and perform at least one of image scaling to adjust the size of the second image to the size of the second display device, timing synchronization and size synchronization to follow the characteristics of the first display device with respect to the second image, and then transmit the second image according to the image transmission port of the second display device.

[0021] In the present invention, the master control board and the slave control board are characterized in that, when an image is output to the first display device or the second display device, if one of a plurality of modes is selected according to a preset condition including a game event or a screen touch, the image output to each display device is changed according to the selected mode, or when the image is output to each display device after being changed, an animation effect is selectively applied to visually hide the border portion of each display device.

[0022] In the present invention, the master control board and the slave control board are characterized in that, when outputting the first image to the first display device and the second display device, in order to obtain an effect in which the first image, which is a continuous image displayed on the first display device, is continuously and naturally connected and displayed on the second display device, as a default mode, no animation effect is applied, and both timing synchronization and size synchronization that follow the scale of the image to be output to the second display device and the characteristics of the first display device are applied.

[0023]

[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling an expandable hybrid display device includes, in an expandable hybrid display device in which a plurality of second display devices are formed around a first display device, a step in which a master control board receives an image from an image supply and control computer and provides the image to the first display device; and a step in which a plurality of slave control boards receives an image from the master control board and provides the image to the plurality of second display devices; wherein the master control board and the plurality of slave control boards provide the image to the first and second display devices, and perform image scale, timing synchronization, and size synchronization in accordance with the characteristics and specifications of each display device according to a selected normal mode and an expanded mode.

[0025] In the present invention, the master control board and the plurality of slave control boards are characterized in that they provide images in the LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) method, or in any one of V-by-One, eDP, HDMI, and SDI methods.

[0026] In the present invention, in the step of performing the image scale, timing synchronization and size synchronization, the master control board and the plurality of slave control boards select a port through which the image is input, convert output of a resolution suitable for the characteristics of each display device and PHY (Physical Layer) conversion of the input signal, and adjust the size of the image according to the size of each display device through a scaler module, and perform timing synchronization that follows the characteristics of the first display device for the image output to the second display device based on the output response time compared to the image input of each display device through an image synchronization and distribution module, and perform size synchronization that follows the characteristics of the first display device for the image output to the second display device based on the pixel and pitch ratio between each display device through a processor.

[0027] In the present invention, when the image is supplied, the master control board stores the image in an internal memory module, selects a first image to be output to the first display device, performs image synchronization to output the first image at a normal speed to an active area of ​​the first display device, and then transmits the synchronized first image according to the image transmission port of the first display device.

[0028] In the present invention, after storing an image in the internal memory module, the master control board further comprises a step of selecting a second image to be output to a second display device from the input image, performing image synchronization to output the second image to an active area of ​​the second display device at a normal speed, and performing at least one of image scaling to adjust the size of the second image to a size of the second display device, timing synchronization and size synchronization to follow the characteristics of the first display device with respect to the second image, and then transmitting the second image to an image transmission port of the second display device.

[0029] In the present invention, when an image is output to the first display device or the second display device, if one of a plurality of modes is selected according to a preset condition including a game event or a screen touch, the master control board and the slave control board are further characterized by including a step of selectively applying an animation effect for changing the image output to each display device according to the selected mode or for visually hiding a border portion of each display device when changing and outputting the image to each display device.

[0030] In the present invention, the master control board and the slave control board are characterized in that, when outputting the first image to the first display device and the second display device, in order to obtain an effect in which the first image, which is a continuous image displayed on the first display device, is continuously and naturally connected and displayed on the second display device, as a default mode, no animation effect is applied, and both timing synchronization and size synchronization that follow the scale of the image to be output to the second display device and the characteristics of the first display device are applied.

[0031] The present invention is an expandable hybrid display device that enables fast data transmission for image synchronization between a plurality of combined display devices.

[0032] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram showing a schematic configuration of an expandable hybrid display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 is an example diagram showing a more specific configuration of the control board in Figure 1.

[0034] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of an expandable hybrid display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of an expandable hybrid display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 5 is an example diagram showing, in table form, a method of applying image output and animation effects to an extended hybrid display device (H-DSP) according to each mode including the extended mode in FIG. 4.

[0037] FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the operation of the seventh mode and the seventh EXP mode for moving or adjusting the range of a touchable display device or a touchable area in the display device in the above FIG. 5.

[0038] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0039] In this process, the thickness of lines and the sizes of components depicted in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined based on their functions within the present invention and may vary depending on the intent or custom of the user or operator. Therefore, the definitions of these terms should be based on the overall content of this specification.

[0040] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram showing a schematic configuration of an expandable hybrid display device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the extended hybrid display device according to the present embodiment includes an image supply and control computer (110), a plurality of control boards (120), and an extended hybrid display device (H-DSP).

[0042] An extended hybrid display device (H-DSP) may be configured such that a first display device (which may be designated as 10 or DSP1) and a second display device (which may be designated as 30 or DSP2) to an Nth (where N is a natural number) display device (which may be designated as 40, 50, or DSP#N) may be combined in a cascade manner.

[0043] In addition, LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) (or V-by-One, eDP, HDMI, SDI, etc.) may be applied to the transmission of image (or content) data between the first display device (10, DSP1) to the Nth (where N is a natural number) display device (DSP#N). Accordingly, unlike the existing method using Ethernet, a separate PHY (Physical Layer) chip is not required, and image transmission with minimized additional overhead is possible.

[0044] In particular, the first display device (10) may be a display device having different characteristics and specifications from the second to Nth display devices (30, 40, 50, to #N).

[0045] For example, it is assumed that the first display device (10) is a 27” LCD display device with a resolution of 1920x1080 at a pitch of 0.3114 mm, and the second display device (30) formed around the first display device (10) is an LED display device composed of 10 LED modules (640x480) with a resolution of 160x160 at a pitch of 1.8 mm. However, the pitch and resolution of the first display device (10) and the second to Nth display devices (30, 40, 50, to #N) are not limited.

[0046] The image supply and control computer (110) supplies image (or content) data to an extended hybrid display device (H-DSP) and can control each display device (10, 30, 40, 50, to #N) according to a preset mode.

[0047] At this time, the image (or content) data is a single image, but may be multiple images (i.e., a first image, a second image) in software. For example, it may be an image created by dividing the internal area of ​​the image (or content) into two corresponding to the shape of the first to Nth display devices coupled to the expandable hybrid display device. Alternatively, the image (or content) may be transmitted sequentially as two physically separated images.

[0048] Here, one of multiple modes can be selected automatically (or by default) based on preset conditions (e.g., game events, screen touches, etc.) or manually by the user (see Fig. 5).

[0049] In addition, in response to an extended hybrid display device, an extended mode (i.e., EXP mode) is further included. Here, the extended mode (i.e., EXP mode) is a mode that can designate at least one of the first display device (DSP1) and the second to Nth display devices capable of transmitting image data.

[0050] For example, when modes 1 to 7 are referred to as normal modes, modes 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 can be referred to as extended modes.

[0051] The control board (120) includes a master control board (120a) and first to Nth slave control boards (120b, 120c), where N is a natural number.

[0052] The master control board (120a) provides the image supplied (provided) from the image supply and control computer (110) to the first display device (10).

[0053] The first slave control board (120b) provides the image transmitted from the master control board (120a) to the third display device (40).

[0054] Likewise, the second slave control board (120c) provides an image transmitted from an upper control board (i.e., an upper control board connected in a cascade manner, where the upper control board of the first slave control board (120b) is the master control board (120a), and the upper control board of the second slave control board (120c) is the first slave control board (120b)) to the fourth display device (50).

[0055] Although not shown in the drawing at this time, the Nth slave control board (not shown) provides the image transmitted from the upper control board (i.e., the Nth-1th slave control board) to the corresponding display device (not shown).

[0056] At this time, the images transmitted to each control board (120a to 120c) connected in a cascade manner are not necessarily the same images. Depending on the selected mode (i.e., normal mode or extended mode) and the characteristics and specifications of each display device (10, 30, 40, 50), video scale, timing synchronization, and size synchronization can be performed.

[0057] Figure 2 is an exemplary diagram showing a more specific configuration of the control board in Figure 1.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 2, the control board (120) includes a scaler module (121), an image synchronization and distribution module (122), a processor (123), and a memory module (124).

[0059] The scaler module (121) performs the function of selecting a port (e.g., DP, HDMI, etc.) through which images are input from an image supply and control computer (110) and converting outputs of various resolutions and PHY (Physical Layer) of input signals according to the characteristics of each display device (10, 30, 40, 50).

[0060] In addition, the scaler module (121) can synthesize an OSD (On Screen Display) according to a command input through a video supply and control computer (110) or a separate OSD (On Screen Display) menu button (not shown) and provide it to each display device (10, 30, 40, 50). In addition, the scaler module (121) can adjust the size of the image (Video Scale) according to the size of the first and second display devices (10, 30, 40, 50).

[0061] The image synchronization and distribution module (122) can perform a timing synchronization function according to the characteristics of each display device (10, 30, 40, 50) using the information stored in the memory module (124), that is, a timing synchronization (Timing Sync) that follows the first display device (10) based on the image input-to-output response time of each display device (10, 30, 40, 50). In addition, the image synchronization and distribution module (122) performs a PHY (Physical Layer) transmission function suitable for each display device (10, 30, 40, 50). Accordingly, unlike the existing method using Ethernet, a separate PHY (Physical Layer) chip is not required, and image transmission with minimized additional overhead is possible.

[0062] In addition, the video synchronization and distribution module (122) can apply LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) (or V-by-One, eDP, HDMI, SDI, etc.) when transmitting video (or content) data. Accordingly, since video (or content) data is transmitted via LVDS (or V-by-One, eDP, HDMI, SDI, etc.) with minimal additional overhead, the video synchronization performance is further improved.

[0063] The processor (123) processes a user interface (UI) processing and a customized video scale function that applies a video scale coefficient to perform a size synchronization (Size Sync) function according to the characteristics of each display device (10, 30, 40, 50). That is, size synchronization (Size Sync) that follows the first display device (10) can be performed based on the pixel and pitch ratio between each display device (10, 30, 40, 50).

[0064] Additionally, the processor (123) can receive commands (e.g., operation commands entered through the UI) through a designated communication port (e.g., USB, etc.).

[0065] In addition, the processor (123) can input information on the active area position for outputting an image to each display device (10, 30, 40, 50) through a user interface (UI) or output an image to the active area using information on the active area position previously stored in the memory module (124).

[0066] Meanwhile, as already described above, images (contents) supplied to the hybrid display device (H-DSP) can be produced in various ways.

[0067] For example, by considering the display area of ​​each display device (10, 30, 40, 50) within the entire screen of a gaming video (content), a video (content) to be output to multiple display devices (10, 30, 40, 50) can be integrated and produced within a single video (content), or a video (content) to be output to each display device (10, 30, 40, 50) can be produced separately.

[0068] That is, a gaming driving video can be output to the first display device (10), a decoration video can be output to the second display device (30), an additional information video can be output to the third display device (40), and a product video can be output to the fourth display device (50).

[0069] For example, when an event such as a jackpot occurs, each display device (10, 30, 40, 50) can be connected to output images continuously as if they were one display device, or a large-screen event image such as fireworks or coins can be provided as a decoration image, or user satisfaction can be further improved by providing information such as coin receipt information or product provision information.

[0070] Meanwhile, the same image synchronization is maintained between the master control board (120a) into which image data is initially input and the first and second slave control boards (120b, 120c), and only the minimum re-timing function is processed internally to perform a delay time action so that signal attenuation can be compensated.

[0071] When additional control boards are connected in a cascade manner to expand the display device, video data can be selectively used as LVDS (or V-by-One, eDP, HDMI, SDI, etc.).

[0072] - Example 1 -

[0073] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of an expandable hybrid display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 3, when an image is input from an image supply and control computer (110) (example of S101), the master control board (120a) stores the input image in an internal memory module (S102) and selects (extracts) a first image to be output to the first display device (10) from the input image (S103).

[0075] In addition, when an image is input from a master control board (120a) connected in a cascade manner (example of S301), the first slave control board (120b) stores the image input from the master control board (120a) in an internal memory module (S302).

[0076] In addition, the master control board (120a) performs image synchronization (i.e., processing to output the first image to the active area at a normal speed according to the characteristics of the first display device) of the selected first image according to the characteristics of the first display device (10) (S104).

[0077] In addition, the master control board (120a) transmits a synchronized image (i.e., a first image) according to the characteristics of the image transmission port (e.g., PD, HDMI, etc.) of the first display device (10, DSP1) (S105) and outputs it to the first display device (10, DSP1) (S106).

[0078] Meanwhile, the master control board (120a) selects (extracts) a second image to be output to the second display device (30) from the input image (S103), and then performs image synchronization (i.e., processing to output the second image to the active area at a normal speed according to the characteristics of the second display device) of the selected second image according to the characteristics of the second display device (30), and also performs video scale (adjusting the size of the image according to the size of the second display device), timing synchronization (Timing Sync) and size synchronization (Size Sync) that follow the characteristics of the first display device according to a preset default mode (e.g., the second mode of FIG. 5) (S107).

[0079] In addition, the master control board (120a) transmits a synchronized image (i.e., a second image) according to the characteristics of the image transmission port (e.g., PD, HDMI, etc.) of the second display device (30, DSP2) (S108) and outputs it to the second display device (30, DSP2) (S109).

[0080] Meanwhile, the first slave control board (120b) selects (extracts) an image (e.g., a second image or an Nth image) stored in a memory module and transmits an image-synchronized image (i.e., a second image or an Nth image) according to the characteristics of the image transmission port (e.g., PD, HDMI, etc.) of the third display device (40, DSP3) (S303) and outputs it to the third display device (40, DSP3) (S304).

[0081] At this time, although not shown in the drawing, the first slave control board (120b) performs image synchronization (i.e., processing to output the image at a normal speed to the active area according to the characteristics of the third display device) according to the characteristics of the third display device (40, DSP3) of the image (e.g., the second image or the Nth image) selected (extracted) from the memory module, and, in addition, performs image scaling (adjusting the size of the image according to the size of the third display device), timing synchronization (Timing Sync) and size synchronization (Size Sync) that follow the characteristics of the first display device according to a preset default mode (e.g., the second mode of FIG. 5).

[0082] Also, although not shown in the drawing, the first slave control board (120b) can transmit images to a lower control board (i.e., the second slave control board (120c) or the Nth slave control board) connected in a cascade manner and store them in the internal memory module of the control board.

[0083] Below, a method of outputting an image according to a mode to the first to Nth display devices (10, 30, 40, 50) is described.

[0084] - Example 2 -

[0085] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of an expandable hybrid display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and the basic operations (S101 to S107) for receiving images from an image supply and control computer (110) and outputting them to each display device (10, 30, 40, 50) are the same as the method illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0086] However, in the present embodiment, when outputting an image to each display device (10, 30, 40, 50), if one of a plurality of general modes (the first to seventh modes) and an extended mode (EXP mode) is automatically (or by default) selected or manually (manually) selected by a user (example of S201) according to a preset condition (e.g., game event, screen touch, etc.) as shown in FIG. 5, the image output to each display device (i.e., the first and second images) may be changed according to the selected mode (S202), and also, when outputting an image corresponding to each display device (10, 30, 40, 50) in the corresponding mode, an animation effect (e.g., an animation effect for visually hiding the border of each display device when changing and outputting an image to each display device) may be applied (S203, S204).

[0087] Here, the extended mode (i.e., EXP mode) is a mode that can designate at least one of the first display device (DSP1) and the second to Nth display devices (DSP2 to DSP#N) capable of transmitting image data.

[0088] Accordingly, when a display device is specified with selection of an extended mode (i.e., EXP mode), an operation corresponding to a normal mode (i.e., mode 1 to mode 7) is performed on the specified display device, and for this purpose, the slave control board transmits a synchronized image (e.g., first image or second image) according to the characteristics of a video transmission port (e.g., PD, HDMI, etc.) of the specified display device (at least one of DSP2 to DSP#N) (S205), and outputs the image to the specified display device (at least one of DSP2 to DSP#N) (S206).

[0089] FIG. 5 is an example diagram showing, in table form, a method of applying image output and animation effects to an extended hybrid display device (H-DSP) according to each mode including the extended mode in FIG. 4.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 5, in the first mode in which no animation effect is applied when outputting the first image (i.e., one continuous image) to the first display device (10, DSP1) and other display devices (DSP2 to DSP#N), and no scale (i.e., adjusting the size of the image to the size of the corresponding display device) or timing synchronization (Timing Sync) and size synchronization (Size Sync) that follow the characteristics of the first display device are applied to the image to be output to the other display devices (DSP2 to DSP#N), there is an effect in which a special effect is automatically produced as if a different image is output to each display device (10, DSP2 to DSP#N) without image editing.

[0091] Also, when the first image (i.e., one continuous image) is output to the first display device (10, DSP1) and other display devices (DSP2 to DSP#N), the animation effect is not applied, and in the second mode (default mode) that applies both the scale for the image to be output to the other display devices (DSP2 to DSP#N) (i.e., adjusting the size of the image to match the size of the other display device), the timing synchronization (Timing Sync) and the size synchronization (Size Sync) that follow the characteristics of the first display device, there is an effect in which the image displayed on the first display device (10) is continuously and naturally connected and displayed on the other display devices (DSP2 to DSP#N) (i.e., an effect in which one image is displayed on one large-screen display device).

[0092] Also, in the case of the third mode in which the animation effect is not applied when the first image and the second image (e.g., images that are physically one image but have different contents) are output to the first display device (10, DSP1) and other display devices (DSP2 to DSP#N), and the scale of the images to be output to the other display devices (DSP2 to DSP#N) (i.e., adjusting the size of the images to match the size of the other display devices) or the timing synchronization (Timing Sync) and size synchronization (Size Sync) that follow the characteristics of the first display device are not applied, there is an effect in which image effects different from those displayed on the first display device (10) (i.e., image effects that are the same as if they were edited by applying different special effects) are applied and output to the other display devices (DSP2 to DSP#N) without image editing.

[0093] Also, when the first image and the second image (e.g., images with different contents even though they are physically one image) are output to the first display device (10, DSP1) and other display devices (DSP2 to DSP#N), and when the first image that was output to the first display device (10) is to be output continuously instead of the second image that was output to the second display device (30), an animation effect is applied, and in the fourth mode that applies a scale for the image to be output to the other display devices (DSP2 to DSP#N) (i.e., adjusting the size of the image to match the size of the other display device), or timing synchronization (Timing Sync) and size synchronization (Size Sync) that follow the characteristics of the first display device, there is an effect in which an expanding effect is applied and output to the other display devices (DSP2 to DSP#N) as if the display area of ​​the first display device (10) is expanded without image editing.

[0094] Also, when outputting the first image and the second image (e.g., images with different contents even though they are physically one image) to the first display device (10, DSP1) and other display devices (DSP2 to DSP#N) respectively, and when trying to continuously output the second image that was output to the other display devices (DSP2 to DSP#N) instead of the first image that was output to the first display device (10), in the case of the fifth mode that applies animation effects and also applies timing synchronization (Timing Sync) and size synchronization (Size Sync) that follow the characteristics of the first display device (30) (i.e., adjusting the size of the image to match the size of the first display device), there is an effect of applying a contracting effect to the first display device (10) as if the display area of ​​the other display devices (DSP2 to DSP#N) is contracted without image editing.

[0095] Also, when the first image and the second image (e.g., images that are physically one image but have different contents) are output to the first display device (10, DSP1) and other display devices (DSP2 to DSP#N), respectively, and the first image output to the first display device (10) and the second image output to the second display device (30) are to be switched, the sixth mode applies an animation effect and also applies a scale for the image to be output to the first display device (30) (i.e., adjust the size of the image to match the size of the first display device), or timing synchronization (Timing Sync) and size synchronization (Size Sync) that follow the characteristics of the first display device, so that a switching effect is applied in which the image of the first display device (10) and the images of the other display devices (DSP2 to DSP#N) move to each other and repeat enlargement and contraction without image editing.

[0096] Here, the extended mode (i.e., EXP mode) is a mode that can designate at least one of the first display device (DSP1) and the second to Nth display devices (DSP2 to DSP#N) capable of transmitting image data.

[0097] As mentioned above, the various effects that can be applied immediately without video editing allow you to achieve splendid and unique effects on your gaming display device.

[0098] - Example 3 -

[0099] Meanwhile, the hybrid display device (H-DSP) according to the present embodiment may additionally have a touch control mode.

[0100] The seventh mode illustrated in FIG. 5 is capable of moving a touch-enabled display device (or a specific touch-enabled area within the display device) and displaying the touch-enabled display device (or a specific touch-enabled area within the display device) in order to prevent malfunction or delay in operation due to unnecessary touch input when there is no need to receive a touch input from each display device (DSP1 to DSP#N) (or a specific area of ​​the display device) according to a gaming image (content) output to a hybrid display device (H-DSP) (see FIG. 6).

[0101] FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the operation of the seventh mode and the seventh EXP mode for moving or adjusting the range of a touchable display device or a touchable area in the display device in FIG. 5.

[0102] FIG. 6 is a front view of an expandable hybrid display device (H-DSP) according to the present embodiment, which displays a touchable display device or a touchable area within the display device when the seventh mode (i.e., a mode for moving or adjusting a range of a touchable display device or a touchable area within the display device) is selected.

[0103] In this 7th EXP mode, you can move the touchable area or specify the range to a specific display device.

[0104] As described above, the present embodiment enables fast data transmission for image synchronization between multiple display devices combined as an expandable hybrid display device.

[0105] As described above, the present embodiment enables the application of timing synchronization and size synchronization (Timing & Size Sync) when combining multiple display devices with different characteristics or specifications to produce and drive a single extended hybrid display device, thereby eliminating the hassle of producing dedicated images (contents) for each display device (DSP1 to DSP#N) to drive a hybrid device, thereby reducing work time and cost. In addition, by supporting easy control of the hybrid display device, there is an effect of enabling a manager at the installation site of the hybrid display device to quickly install it.

[0106] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible from this. Accordingly, the technical protection scope of the present invention should be defined by the following claims. In addition, the implementations described in this specification may be implemented as, for example, a method or process, a device, a software program, a data stream, or a signal. Even if discussed only in the context of a single form of implementation (e.g., discussed only as a method), the implementation of the discussed features may also be implemented in other forms (e.g., a device or a program). The device may be implemented with suitable hardware, software, firmware, and the like. The method may be implemented in a device such as a processor, which generally refers to a processing device including, for example, a computer, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, or a programmable logic device. The processor also includes a communication device such as a computer, a cell phone, a personal digital assistant ("PDA"), and other devices that facilitate the communication of information between end-users.

Claims

1. First display device; A plurality of second display devices formed around the periphery of the first display device; A master control board for providing images from a video supply and control computer to the first display device; and Includes a plurality of slave control boards that receive images from the master control board and provide them to the plurality of second display devices, The above master control board and the above multiple slave control boards, An expanded hybrid display device characterized in that it provides an image to the first and second display devices, and performs image scale, timing synchronization and size synchronization according to the characteristics and specifications of each display device according to the selected normal mode and expanded mode.

2. In paragraph 1, The above master control board and the above multiple slave control boards, Provides images using LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) method, Or an expandable hybrid display device characterized by providing video in any one of V-by-One, eDP, HDMI, and SDI.

3. In paragraph 1, the master control board and the slave control board, An expandable hybrid display device characterized by including a scaler module for selecting a port through which an image is input from the image supply and control computer, converting output of a resolution suitable for the characteristics of each display device and converting the input signal to a PHY (Physical Layer), and adjusting the size of the image to the size of each display device.

4. In paragraph 1, the master control board and the slave control board, An expandable hybrid display device, characterized by including an image synchronization and distribution module that performs timing synchronization for images output to each display device based on the image input-to-output response time of each display device, following the characteristics of the first display device.

5. In paragraph 1, the master control board and the slave control board, An expandable hybrid display device, characterized by including a processor that performs size synchronization for an image output to a corresponding display device based on a pixel and pitch ratio between each display device, following the characteristics of a first display device.

6. In the first paragraph, the extension mode is: An extended hybrid display device characterized in that it is a mode in which at least one of a plurality of display devices is designated and a function corresponding to the general mode can be performed through the designated display device.

7. In paragraph 1, the master control board and the slave control board, When an image is input, it is stored in the internal memory module, and then the first image to be output to the first display device is selected, and image synchronization is performed to output the first image at a normal speed in the active area of ​​the first display device. An expandable hybrid display device characterized in that it transmits the first image synchronized with the image transmission port of the first display device.

8. In paragraph 7, the master control board and the slave control board, Selecting a second image to be output to a second display device from the input image, and performing image synchronization to output the second image to the active area of ​​the second display device at a normal speed, Adjusting the size of the second image to the size of the second display device, performing at least one of timing synchronization and size synchronization for following the characteristics of the first display device with respect to the second image, and An expandable hybrid display device characterized in that the second image is transmitted in accordance with the image transmission port of the second display device.

9. In paragraph 7 or 8, The above master control board and the above slave control board, When an image is output to the first display device or the second display device, Depending on preset conditions, including game events or screen touches, one of the multiple modes is selected. Depending on the selected mode above, An expandable hybrid display device characterized by selectively applying an animation effect to change an image output to each display device or to visually hide a border portion of each display device when changing and outputting an image to each display device.

10. In paragraph 1, the master control board and the slave control board, In order to obtain the effect of the first image being displayed as a continuous image on the first display device and being continuously and naturally connected to the second display device, An expandable hybrid display device characterized in that, when outputting the first image to the first display device and the second display device, as a default mode, no animation effect is applied, and both timing synchronization and size synchronization that follow the scale of the image to be output to the second display device and the characteristics of the first display device are applied.

11. In an extended hybrid display device in which a plurality of second display devices are formed around a first display device, a step of a master control board providing an image from an image supply and control computer to the first display device; and A step of providing images from the master control board to the plurality of second display devices; comprising: The above master control board and the above multiple slave control boards, A control method for an expandable hybrid display device, characterized in that it provides an image to the first and second display devices, and performs image scale, timing synchronization and size synchronization according to the characteristics and specifications of each display device according to the selected normal mode and expanded mode.

12. In paragraph 11, The above master control board and the above multiple slave control boards, Provides images using LVDS (Low Voltage Differential Signaling) method, Or a control method of an expandable hybrid display device characterized in that it provides images in any one of V-by-One, eDP, HDMI, and SDI.

13. In paragraph 11, In the step of performing the above image scale, timing synchronization and size synchronization, The above master control board and the above multiple slave control boards, Through the scaler module, the port through which the image is input is selected, the resolution is converted to match the characteristics of each display device, the input signal is converted to PHY (Physical Layer), and the image size is adjusted to match the size of each display device. Through the video synchronization and distribution module, timing synchronization is performed for the video output to the second display device based on the video input-to-output response time of each display device, following the characteristics of the first display device. A control method for an expandable hybrid display device, characterized in that it performs size synchronization for an image output to a second display device based on a pixel and pitch ratio between each display device through a processor, following the characteristics of a first display device.

14. In paragraph 11, when the image is supplied, The above master control board, A control method for an expandable hybrid display device, characterized in that after storing the image in an internal memory module, a first image to be output to the first display device is selected, image synchronization is performed to output the first image at a normal speed in an active area of ​​the first display device, and then the synchronized first image is transmitted according to an image transmission port of the first display device.

15. In paragraph 14, after storing the image in the internal memory module, The above master control board, A control method for an expandable hybrid display device, characterized by further comprising the steps of: selecting a second image to be output to a second display device from the input image, performing image synchronization to output the second image at a normal speed in an active area of ​​the second display device, performing image scaling to adjust the size of the second image to a size of the second display device, performing at least one of timing synchronization and size synchronization for following the characteristics of the first display device with respect to the second image, and then transmitting the second image to an image transmission port of the second display device.

16. In the 14th or 15th paragraph, when an image is output to the first display device or the second display device, if one of the plurality of modes is selected according to a preset condition including a game event or a screen touch, The above master control board and the above slave control board, Depending on the selected mode above, A method for controlling an expandable hybrid display device, further comprising: a step of selectively applying an animation effect for changing an image output to each display device or visually hiding a border portion of each display device when changing and outputting an image to each display device.

17. In paragraph 11, The above master control board and the above slave control board, In order to obtain the effect of the first image being displayed as a continuous image on the first display device and being continuously and naturally connected to the second display device, A control method for an expandable hybrid display device, characterized in that when outputting the first image to the first display device and the second display device, as a default mode, no animation effect is applied, and both timing synchronization and size synchronization that follow the scale of the image to be output to the second display device and the characteristics of the first display device are applied.

Images