JP2010237633A - Projector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a boundary between an area where projected images overlap with each other and a non-overlapping area inconspicuous and smooth. <P>SOLUTION: In a multi projector system, when projecting an entire image while overlapping portions of each of a plurality of images by projecting light of the images, an overlapping area processing part 31 of an image data processing apparatus 3 processes the image data of the overlapping portions according to the image data of the portions adjoining the overlapped portions. Even if there is a dummy portion as an image non-display area in the overlapped portions, a dummy area processing part 33 processes the image data of the dummy portion according to the image data of the adjoining portions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a projector, and more particularly to a projector for projecting an entire image by projecting light of an image emitted from a plurality of projectors onto a screen.

  There is known a multi-projector system capable of displaying a large image on a screen by arranging a plurality of projectors and projecting light of images emitted from the projectors on a screen.

  In the multi-projector system, in order to make the boundary portion of the image projected from the adjacent projector on the screen inconspicuous, a part of the adjacent image is superimposed and displayed. In order to make the boundary between the overlapping portion and the non-overlapping portion inconspicuous in an image, a function called blending or edge blending has been put into practical use. Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-216427), Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-14951) and Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-251182) are proposed as blending functions.

  FIG. 21 shows an example of the configuration of the multi-projector system disclosed in Patent Document 3. Referring to FIG. 21, the multi-projector system includes N (N is an integer value of 1 or more) image signal output units 11-1 to 11 -N, blending processing unit 12, and image forming units 13-1 to 13. -N, and the screen on which the image is projected.

  Each of the image forming units 13-1 to 13-N includes a projector. The blending processing unit 12 performs a blending process on each of the N image signals provided from each of the video signal output units 11-1 to 11-N, and each of the N image signals after the blending process is performed. Provided to each of the image forming units 13-1 to 13-N.

  The images projected from the projectors of the image forming units 13-1 to 13-N and displayed on the screen partially have overlapping portions of the images. The blending processing unit 12 performs processing on the image signals corresponding to the images of the overlapped portion and other portions so that the images of the overlapped portion and the non-overlapped portion become a natural image that does not feel strange to the observer. As shown in FIG. 22, when the overlapping portion and the other portion of the image are compared, the overlapping portion image becomes brighter. Therefore, according to the conventional blending process, the overlapping portion image is changed from the boundary to the boundary. The brightness is gradually lowered to make the boundary between the overlapping portion and the non-overlapping portion less noticeable. Further, in the case where the overlapping portion is a dark image, the luminance of the image cannot be lowered any more, so the luminance of the non-overlapping portion is increased so that the boundary between the overlapping portion and the non-overlapping portion is less noticeable.

  In the blending process, in order to solve the problem of how the overlapping portion can be made inconspicuous, Patent Document 1 shows a configuration for displaying an appropriate image even if the angle at which the observer views the image changes. Moreover, patent document 2 shows the structure which improves the color of a boundary part.

JP 2008-216427 A JP 2009-14951 A JP 2006-251182 A

  None of the above-mentioned patent documents considers blending processing for partial images overlapping with dummy pixels. This point will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 23, depending on the projector model, a dummy pixel portion is provided as an outer frame of the screen display area. The screen display area corresponds to an area (effective pixel portion) including effective pixels for displaying an image to be displayed, and the dummy pixel portion includes a plurality of dummy pixels, and no image is displayed.

  According to the multi-projector system using the projector that displays an image having a dummy pixel portion, as shown in FIG. 24, the overlapping portion is blended and the dummy pixel portion is overlapped in the screen display area. Also, it is necessary to make the dummy pixel portion inconspicuous. However, none of the above-mentioned patent documents proposes a process for making the dummy pixel portion inconspicuous.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a projector having an image processing function for smoothly showing a boundary between a region where projection images overlap each other and a non-overlapping region in a multi-projector system.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, the projector projects the light of the image from each of the plurality of projectors onto the projection surface, thereby projecting each of the plurality of images on the projection surface in an overlapping manner. Projecting light of an image having a dummy part which is an image non-display area from each of a plurality of projectors on a projection surface and an overlapping processing part that processes the image data of the part according to the image data of the part adjacent to the overlapping part Thus, in order to project a part of each of the plurality of images on the projection surface in an overlapping manner, dummy processing for processing the image data in which the dummy part in the overlapping part overlaps according to the image data of the part adjacent to the dummy part And a determination unit that determines whether or not the dummy image is included in the image projected from the projector. When it is determined to be included, for processing the image data of the dummy portion.

Preferably, the size of the dummy part can be changed.
Preferably, the dummy processing unit changes the attribute of the image indicated by the image data in which the dummy part overlaps.

  Preferably, the attribute is the brightness of the image indicated by the image data with overlapping dummy portions, or the contrast of the image, or the darkness of the image, or the hue of the image, or the sharpness of the image, or the gamma value of the image. Or the color temperature of the image.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the projector projects the image light from each of the plurality of projectors onto the projection surface, thereby projecting the image partially overlapping with another adjacent image on the projection surface. A duplication processing unit that processes, according to the predetermined information, an attribute of an image pointed to by the overlapping part image data corresponding to an overlapping part that overlaps another image among the projected image data, and among the projected image data, A non-overlapping processing unit that processes an attribute of an image indicated by non-overlapping partial image data corresponding to a non-overlapping part excluding the overlapping part according to predetermined information.

  The overlapping part image data includes two overlapping part image data corresponding to two overlapping parts overlapping with one other adjacent image, and four overlapping parts corresponding to four overlapping parts overlapping with three adjacent other images. Image data.

  Preferably, the predetermined information includes data indicating a type of an attribute to be processed among a plurality of types of attributes of the image.

  Preferably, the predetermined information further includes a predetermined value, and the duplication processing unit changes the value of the attribute of the type indicated by the predetermined information of the overlapping partial image data so as to indicate the predetermined value of the predetermined information, and non-overlapping The processing unit changes the value of the type of attribute indicated by the predetermined information of the non-overlapping partial image data so as to indicate the predetermined value indicated by the predetermined information.

  Preferably, the plurality of types of attributes include image brightness, image contrast, image color intensity, image hue, image gamma characteristics, or image color temperature.

  Preferably, the predetermined value is variable depending on the number of overlapping images.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, when projecting light of an image from each of a plurality of projectors onto a projection surface to project an entire image by overlapping each of the plurality of images, the duplication The image data of the part is processed according to the image data of the part adjacent to the overlapping part, and the image data of the dummy part is the image data of the adjacent part even when the dummy part which is an image non-display area is in the overlapping part. Therefore, the boundary between the region where the projected images overlap and the non-overlapping region can be made inconspicuous and can be shown smoothly.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, image data of two overlapping portions corresponding to two overlapping portions overlapping with one other adjacent image and four overlapping portions overlapping with three other adjacent images are included. Image attributes can be processed based on predetermined information for the corresponding four overlapping image data. Thereby, the attribute of an image can be adjusted in common about a non-overlapping part and an overlapping part (2 overlapping part and 4 overlapping part) using predetermined information. As a result, the image projected on the projection surface can exhibit uniform attributes, and the boundary between the overlapping portion and the non-overlapping portion can be made inconspicuous.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a multi-projector system using an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a hardware block diagram of the computer by which the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention is mounted. It is a schematic block diagram of the optical engine of the projector which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the scanning direction according to the scanning line of the horizontal direction of the liquid crystal panel which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and a perpendicular direction. It is a figure explaining the shift | offset | difference when each screen of RGB based on this Embodiment has overlapped. It is a figure explaining a dummy pixel part and an effective pixel part in relation to FIG. It is a figure explaining the duplication state of the image in the screen which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the image data processing part which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and its peripheral circuit. It is a process flowchart of the dummy area | region process part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the brightness adjustment of the image which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the contrast adjustment of the image which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the sharpness of the image which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A)-(C) are the figures explaining the contrast adjustment of the image which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the display image after the blending process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the duplication state of the four images which concern on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the image after the blending process which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the image processing apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. (A) And (B) is a figure explaining the relationship between the duplication part of the image which concerns on other embodiment of this invention, and an attribute value. It is a figure which shows the structure which detects an attribute value from the image data which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the projector controller which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining an example of the composition of the conventional multi-projector system. It is a figure explaining an example of the display image by the conventional multi projector system. It is a figure explaining the display image which has a dummy pixel part. It is a figure explaining an example of the display of the image which has the dummy pixel part by the conventional multi projector system.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the multi-projector system according to the present embodiment includes projector (1), projector (2), and screen 6 arranged so as to be adjacent to each other. The screen 6 is a projection surface for projecting an image by projecting image light from each of the projectors (1) and (2). The projection surface is not limited to the screen 6 and may be a wall surface.

  The projector (1) includes an image processing apparatus 1 that processes data of an image to be projected, and an optical engine 20 that is a projection unit for projecting an image on a screen 6. Similarly, the projector (2) includes an image processing apparatus 1 and an optical engine 20 (not shown). The image processing apparatus 1 and the optical engine 20 included in each projector have the same configuration and function. Since the projectors (1) and (2) have the same configuration and function, they may be collectively referred to as a projector PJ.

  Here, the number of projectors provided in the multi-projector system is two, but the following description can be similarly applied even when there are three or more projectors. Although the image processing apparatus 1 is built in the projector PJ, the image processing apparatus 1 shared by the two projectors is provided outside the projector, and the two external image processing apparatuses 1 to 2 You may make it supply the drive signal 7 of the optical engine 20 to a projector.

  The image processing apparatus 1 includes an image supply unit 2 that supplies image data, a predetermined process on the supplied image data, an image data processing unit 3 that outputs an image signal, and an image signal output from the image data processing unit 3 The display control unit 4 that generates a drive signal 7 for controlling the display operation of the image by the connected optical engine 20 and outputs the drive signal 7 to the optical engine 20. The image data processing unit 3 receives information given from the outside. Is provided with an input accepting unit 5 for outputting. The image supply unit 2 corresponds to a storage unit that stores image data or an imaging unit such as a camera.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the computer on which the image processing apparatus 1 is mounted includes a keyboard 12 corresponding to the input receiving unit 5, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 10 corresponding to the image data processing unit 3 and the display control unit 4, an image supply A memory 11 corresponding to the storage unit of the unit 2, an input I / F (Interface) 13, and an output I / F 14 are included. Information / data input from the keyboard 12 is given to the DSP 10 via the input I / F 13. Further, data and signals resulting from processing by the DSP 10 are output to the optical engine 20 outside the computer via the output I / F 14. The camera of the image supply unit 2 corresponds to an external device connected to the input I / F 13, and image data captured and output by the camera is given to the DSP 10 through the input I / F 13.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the projector PJ includes an optical engine 20 and a projection lens 62 in order to project an image. The projector PJ is also equipped with components for outputting sound such as a speaker, and a circuit board for electrically controlling the components of the optical engine 20 and the sound output unit. The illustration of a part of the components including is omitted.

  The optical engine 20 includes a light source 50 that is a lighting device. The light source 50 includes, for example, an ultrahigh pressure mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, a xenon lamp, or the like. Light is emitted from the light source 50 as substantially parallel light.

  The light from the light source 50 passes through a lens system such as the fly eye integrator 51 and enters the dichroic mirror 52. By passing through the lens system, an optical action is applied to the light incident from the light source 50 so that the light quantity distribution of the light incident on the liquid crystal panels 5R, 5G, and 5B becomes uniform.

Of the incident light, the dichroic mirror 52 is light in the blue wavelength band (hereinafter referred to as “B light”).
Only light in the red wavelength band (hereinafter referred to as “R light”) and light in the green wavelength band (hereinafter referred to as “G light”). The B light transmitted through the dichroic mirror 52 is guided to the mirror 53, reflected there, and enters the liquid crystal panel 5B as substantially parallel light through a lens system (not shown). The liquid crystal panel 5B is driven according to the blue image signal, and modulates the B light according to the driving state. The B light modulated by the liquid crystal panel 5B enters a dichroic prism (hereinafter also simply referred to as “prism”) 60.

  Of the light reflected by the dichroic mirror 52, the G light is reflected by the dichroic mirror 54 and enters the liquid crystal panel 5G as substantially parallel light through a lens system (not shown). The liquid crystal panel 5G is driven according to the image signal for green, and modulates the G light according to the driving state. The G light modulated by the liquid crystal panel 5G enters the dichroic prism 60.

  The R light transmitted through the dichroic mirror 54 is reflected by the dichroic mirror 55, and enters the liquid crystal panel 5R as substantially parallel light through a lens system (not shown). The liquid crystal panel 5R is driven according to the image signal for red, and modulates the R light according to the driving state. The R light modulated by the liquid crystal panel 5R enters the dichroic prism 60.

  The dichroic prism 60 color-synthesizes the R light, G light, and B light modulated by the liquid crystal panels 5R, 5B, and 5G and causes the light to enter the projection lens 62. The projection lens 62 adjusts the zoom state and the focus state of the projection image by displacing a lens group for forming an image of the projection light on the screen 6 that is the projection surface and a part of the lens group in the optical axis direction. An actuator is provided. The light synthesized by the dichroic prism 60 is enlarged and projected on the screen 6 by the projection lens 62.

  With reference to FIG. 4, the scanning for displaying the image in the liquid crystal panel which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated. Here, to simplify the description, it is assumed that a screen is displayed for each frame on the liquid crystal panel. As shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the screen of one frame is a two-dimensional coordinate plane having an origin O defined by the orthogonal X axis and Y axis. One pixel of the frame is indicated by coordinates (x, y). In the screen display, screen scanning in the horizontal direction (direction in which the X axis extends) is sequentially performed one line at a time in the vertical direction (direction in which the Y axis extends), and one screen (one frame) is scanned in one vertical direction. ) Is drawn.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the three screens displayed by the three liquid crystal panels of RGB are displayed on the screen 6 as one screen that is overlapped via the dichroic prism 60. Due to the characteristics of the liquid crystal panel or the characteristics of the dichroic prism 60, the three screens overlap each other with a slight deviation (see FIG. 5).

  As shown in FIG. 6, for this purpose, each liquid crystal panel has an effective pixel portion which is a fixed-size rectangular effective pixel region at the center of the display region shown in FIG. 4, and surrounds the effective pixel region. Have a dummy pixel region. In the effective pixel portion, an image is displayed, and no image is displayed in the dummy pixel area. The dummy pixel area is exposed to light more than the darkest light.

  Referring to FIG. 7, a display image on screen 6 by the multi-projector system according to the present embodiment includes a non-overlapping area E21 of projector (1), a non-overlapping area E22 of projector (2), projector (1), and ( 2) includes an overlapping region E1 where the effective pixel portions overlap, and dummy regions E31 and E32 where the dummy pixel regions overlap the effective pixel portions of the projectors (1) and (2).

With reference to FIG. 8, the configuration will be described taking the image data processing device 3 of the projector (1) as an example.
It is assumed that the image data processing device 3 processes an image in units of one frame. The display control unit 4 that receives the output signal of the image processing device 3 outputs a drive signal 7 to each of the liquid crystal panels 5R, 5G, and 5B. Each of the liquid crystal panels 5R, 5G, and 5B drives the liquid crystal elements of the panel according to the horizontal and vertical directions based on each of the panels 51R, 51G, and 51B in which liquid crystal pixels are arranged and the drive signal 7 given thereto. Each of the panel drivers 52R, 52G, and 52B is included.

  The image data processing device 3 includes an overlapping area processing unit 31 that processes image data of the overlapping area E1, a non-overlapping area processing unit 32 that processes image data of the non-overlapping area E21, and a dummy that processes image data of the dummy area E31. An area processing unit 33 is included. Furthermore, based on information input from the outside, information on the size and position ((x, y) coordinate value) of each of the overlapping area E1, the non-overlapping area E21 and the dummy area E31 in one frame image is generated, and an overlapping area processing unit 31, the region detection unit 35 output to each of the non-overlapping region processing unit 32 and the dummy region processing unit 33, the image data input from the image supply unit 2 (the gradation data of R, G, and B for each pixel, The image data including the pixel position ((x, y) coordinate value) data) is stored for one frame, the stored image data for one frame is read, and the overlapping region processing unit 31, the non-overlapping region processing unit 32 and the dummy are read out. A frame buffer 34 to be output to each of the region processing units 33, a dummy region presence / absence determination unit 36, and a signal generation unit 37 for generating an image signal are included.

  The dummy area presence / absence determination unit 36 determines the presence / absence of the dummy area E31 in the frame based on information given from the outside. If determined to be present, the output signals of the non-overlapping region processing unit 32 and the overlapping region processing unit 31 are provided to the dummy region processing unit 33. If not determined, the outputs of the non-overlapping region processing unit 32 and the overlapping region processing unit 31 are output. Input and output to the signal generator 37.

  The signal generation unit 37 generates an image signal based on the input image data and outputs the image signal to the display control unit 4.

  The overlapping area processing unit 31 is instructed based on the information given from the area detecting unit 5 among the input image data of one frame, and the Y, Y, and Y values of R, G, and B of the image data of the overlapping area E1 And information 311 indicating the detected Y value is output to the non-overlapping area processing unit 32 and the dummy area processing unit 33.

  The non-overlapping area processing unit 32 determines the respective gradations of R, G, and B of the image data of the non-overlapping area E21, which is instructed based on the information given from the area detecting unit 5 among the input image data of one frame. Then, the change processing is performed so as to match the information 311 (Y value obtained by YUV conversion of R, G, B) given from the overlapping area processing unit 31. Thereby, the brightness of the image in the non-overlapping area E21 is adjusted to be substantially equal to the brightness of the image in the overlapping area E1.

  The dummy area processing unit 33 is activated only when the dummy area presence / absence determination unit 36 determines that it is present, and executes data processing. Therefore, when the dummy area presence / absence determining unit 36 determines that there is no data, the data processing is not executed because the dummy area is not activated.

When the dummy area processing unit 33 is activated and starts executing image data processing, the dummy area processing unit 33 operates according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. First, the dummy area processing unit 33 inputs one frame of image data (step S1 in FIG. 9), and among the input one frame of image data, the image of the dummy area E31 based on information given from the area detection unit 5 Data is detected (step S3). Then, the detected image data of the dummy area E31 is subjected to data processing so that the attribute of the image pointed to by the image data matches or matches the attribute of the image of the surrounding overlapping area E1 and non-overlapping area E21, and is output. (Step S5). Thus, even when the image is displayed as shown in FIG. 24, an image in which the dummy pixel portion is overlapped is displayed as an image as shown in FIG. 14 smoothly continuous with the image of the adjacent effective pixel portion. Can do.

  The image data of the overlapping region E1 output from the overlapping region processing unit 31 and the image data of the non-overlapping region E21 output from the non-overlapping region processing unit 32 and the image data of the dummy region E31 after processing the attributes are synthesized. One frame of image data is generated (step S7), and one frame of image data is output to the signal generator 37 (step S9).

  The signal generation unit 37 generates an image signal for one frame based on the supplied image data and supplies the image signal to the display control unit 4. The display control unit 4 generates a drive signal 7 for the liquid crystal panels 5R, 5G, and 5B based on the input image signal and outputs it to each liquid crystal panel.

[Adjust Area Size]
Normally, the size of the dummy pixel area (see FIG. 6) is a unique value uniquely determined by the liquid crystal panel, but the size of the dummy area E31 (that is, the dummy area E31 overlaps in the display image on the screen 6 due to a focus shift. The size of the effective pixel portion) does not match the size of the dummy pixel region unique to the liquid crystal panel.

  Therefore, the area detection unit 35 variably determines the size of the dummy area E31 whose attribute is to be changed by the dummy area processing unit 33 based on information specified by the user input via the input receiving unit 5. The size of the dummy area E31 determined by the area detection unit 35 is given to the dummy area processing unit 33.

  The attribute adjustment described below is performed on the image of the effective pixel in which the dummy region E31 having the position and size detected (determined) by the region detection unit 35 overlaps.

[Change attribute]
The dummy area processing unit 33 corresponds to an attribute changing unit that changes the attribute of the display image of the dummy area E31. By changing the attribute, the boundary due to the dummy area E31 generated in the effective pixel portion is made inconspicuous, and the image by the multi-projector system can be smoothly shown to the observer. Hereinafter, as specific examples of the attribute to be changed, the size of the dummy area E31, the “brightness”, “contrast”, “color density”, and “sharpness” of the image of the effective pixel portion where the dummy area E31 overlaps are shown. , 'Gamma value' and 'color temperature', but are not limited thereto. Also, one or more of these attributes may be changed at the same time.

(Brightness adjustment)
The brightness of the effective pixel in the dummy area E31 is changed to be the brightness of the adjacent pixel in the overlapping area E1 and the adjacent pixel in the non-overlapping area E21. In FIG. 10, the solid line represents the relationship between the gradation level (x axis) of the input image data and the output level (brightness level: y axis) of the input image data when an image is displayed on the liquid crystal panel. The luminance level corresponds to the brightness of the image.

  The image in the dummy area E31 becomes bright because the dummy pixels overlap. Therefore, it is detected whether the brightness of the image of the dummy area E31 is equal to the brightness of the images of the adjacent overlapping area E1 and non-overlapping area E21 based on the information 311.

  For example, when it is detected that the image of the dummy area E31 is darker than the images of the adjacent overlapping area E1 and the non-overlapping area E21, the dummy area processing unit 33 performs gradations of R, G, and B of the effective pixels of the dummy area E31. The value is changed so that the luminance level of the image signal generated based on the image data of the effective pixel is shifted in the direction of the thick arrow in FIG. On the contrary, when bright is detected, a change process is performed so that the direction is shifted in the direction opposite to the direction of the thick arrow.

(Contrast adjustment)
In FIG. 11, the solid line represents the relationship between the gradation level (x axis) of the input image data and the output level (brightness level: y axis) of the liquid crystal panel when displaying an image on the liquid crystal panel. The image of the dummy area E31 becomes bright because the dummy pixel portion overlaps. Therefore, even if the image is dark, it becomes white. Therefore, the dummy area processing unit 33 shifts the solid line indicating the luminance level of the image signal converted based on the gradation values of the effective pixels in the dummy area E31 in the direction of the thick arrow in FIG. The gradation values of R, G, and B of the effective pixels are changed so that the inclination is changed as indicated by a broken line.

(Saturation of color)
Various colors are expressed by the respective gradations of R, G, and B, but the color density of the image of the effective pixel portion is the light on which the dummy area E31 overlaps, and the screen 6 originally It looks rather thin rather than dark. Accordingly, the gradation values of R, G, and B of the pixels in the effective pixel portion where the dummy area E31 overlaps are adjusted so that the original color density is obtained. As a result, the signal generation unit 37 generates an image signal based on the changed gradation value.

(Color adjustment)
Various colors are expressed by the respective gradations of R, G, and B, but the image of the effective pixel portion is not displayed in the original color on the screen 6 because the pixels in the dummy area E31 overlap. . The tone values of R, G, and B of the effective pixel portion where the dummy area E31 overlaps are adjusted so that the original color is obtained.

(Sharpness adjustment)
As shown in FIG. 3, since the image displayed on the liquid crystal panel is projected onto the screen 6 through the lens optical system, the dummy area E31 which is the peripheral portion of the display image is separated from the optical axis of the lens optical system. The image is blurred. In order to eliminate this, the image of the effective pixel portion where the dummy pixel portion overlaps is sharpened by enhancing the outline (edge).

  Specifically, since the portion where the change in brightness is large is an edge, processing is performed so that this edge is more emphasized. For example, the gray scale values of nine pixels above, below, left, and right centering on a target pixel having an effective pixel portion with overlapping dummy pixel portions are respectively multiplied by coefficients as shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, the center coefficient corresponds to the target pixel. All the values obtained by multiplying each of the nine pixels by the coefficient corresponding to FIG. 12 are added, and the value obtained by the addition is divided by two. The gradation value of the pixel of interest is replaced with the value obtained by this division. Thereby, the gradation value of the target pixel is updated.

  In this way, each pixel of the effective pixel portion where the dummy pixel portion overlaps is regarded as a pixel of interest, and the gradation value is subjected to filter processing using a coefficient as shown in FIG. 12, thereby sharpening the image. Therefore, the observer can clearly confirm the display image of the dummy area E31 as a focused image.

(Adjust gamma characteristics)
Gamma refers to the correlation of how bright the image color data is output on the liquid crystal panel. The gamma characteristic indicates the relationship between input data and luminance. The relationship between the input signal (x) and the luminance (y) is expressed by the equation (y = x raised to the γ power).

  The dummy area processing unit 33 is an effective pixel in which the dummy area E31 overlaps in order to obtain a gamma characteristic that does not give a sense of incongruity between the image of the dummy area E31 and the image of the adjacent overlapping area E1 and the non-overlapping area E21. The γ value of the region is adjusted and output to the signal generation unit 37. This γ value is given from the outside via the input receiving unit 5. For example, a user who observes an image displayed on the screen 6 inputs data specifying a gamma value by operating the keyboard 12 or an external switch (not shown) based on the observation result.

  In general, the ideal gamma value is determined by the type of image data supplied or the model of the image data supply source (model such as a personal computer). The memory 11 stores a table in which ideal gamma values are associated and stored for each type of image data or each model of image data supply source. The dummy area processing unit 33 searches the table based on data (the type of image data or the model of the image data supply source) specified by the user via the keyboard 12, reads the associated gamma value, and generates a signal generation unit 37. Output to. Thereby, the signal generation part 37 produces | generates the image signal according to the image data input based on the given gamma value.

(Adjusting color temperature)
By adjusting the R, G, and B gradation levels of the pixels in the effective pixel portion where the dummy pixels overlap in the dummy area E31, color display set as a target for the display image of the liquid crystal panel is realized.

  For example, in the liquid crystal panel, when the gradation values of R, G, and B are each 250, the white color temperature is set to 5000K (Kelvin) as shown by the solid lines in FIGS. Assume that the white balance is adjusted. When correcting the display image in the dummy area E31 to be a bluish image compared to the image in the adjacent area, the color temperature is lowered to 4200K to obtain a reddish display color (an image using a light bulb). The darkest part is fixed and the gradation value of R in the bright part is increased, and the gradation value of B is decreased, thereby correcting the bluish image. Conversely, in order to correct a reddish image, the color temperature is increased to 6500K to obtain a bluish display color (an image with a fluorescent lamp illuminated), and the broken lines in FIGS. As shown, the gradation value of B is increased and the gradation value of R is decreased.

  Here, it is assumed that the color temperature of the display image on the liquid crystal panel (that is, the display image on the screen 6) can be designated from the outside by the user operating the keyboard 12 or the like. In the present embodiment, a table storing the color for changing the gradation value among R and B and the amount of change (increase / decrease value) of the gradation value corresponding to each color temperature is stored in the memory 11 in advance. It is remembered. The dummy area processing unit 33 searches the table of the memory 11 based on the color temperature designated through the input receiving unit 5 and reads data of the corresponding color and the gradation value change amount. Then, the gradation level is changed based on the read data. Thereby, the color temperature of the image by the effective pixel of the dummy area | region E31 can be adjusted so that it may become equal to the color temperature of the image of an adjacent area | region.

[Other embodiments]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where two images projected from two projectors are displayed on the screen 6 in an overlapping manner has been shown. However, there is a demand for projecting a larger image on the screen 6. is there. This demand can be addressed by increasing the number of projectors that project images.

  In the present embodiment, a blending process when four images projected from four projectors onto the screen 6 are displayed in duplicate will be described. In this embodiment, in order to simplify the description, description of the dummy pixel portion and the image processing related thereto is omitted.

  FIG. 15 shows an overlapping state of images when images are projected on the screen 6 by the four projectors (A), the projector (B), the projector (C), and the projector (D). The image projected on the screen 6 includes non-overlapping areas E41, E42, E43 and E44 where there are no overlapping images, and two overlapping areas E51, E52, E53 and E54 where two images overlap including other adjacent images. , As well as a four overlapping region E61 where four images overlap, including the other three adjacent images.

  The sizes and positions of the non-overlapping areas E41, E42, E43 and E44, the two overlapping areas E51, E52, E53 and E54, and the four overlapping areas E61 are uniquely determined according to the arrangement of the projectors. Here, it is assumed that the size and position in the image of these regions are determined in advance by the user.

  In the region where the images overlap, the larger the number of overlapping images, the brighter the image. Therefore, the brightness of the image between the non-overlapping regions E41 to E44, the two overlapping regions E51 to E54, and the four overlapping regions E61. Is different. In the blending process of the present embodiment, the brightness of the 4-overlap area E61 is determined, and the brightness of each of the 2-overlap area and the non-overlap area is matched with the determined brightness to thereby project the image projected on the screen 6 Make the brightness uniform. FIG. 16 shows a projection image when the blending process of the present embodiment is performed on the projection image of FIG. In FIG. 16, the brightness of the projected image is uniform.

  The configuration of each projector according to the present embodiment is the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 except that the image processing unit 3 is replaced with the image processing unit 3A, and the description thereof is omitted. The blending process according to the present embodiment is performed by the image processing unit 3A. The image processing unit 3A performs image processing between the non-overlapping areas E41 to E44, the two overlapping areas E51 to E54, and the four overlapping areas E61 so that the attribute values of the display image such as the brightness of the images match.

  FIG. 17 shows a functional configuration of the image processing unit 3A according to the present embodiment. FIG. 17 illustrates the configuration of the image processing unit 3A of the projector (A), but the image processing units 3A of the other projectors (B) to (D) are the same as those shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 17, it is assumed that image processing unit 3A processes an image in units of one frame. The output signal of the image processing unit 3A is given to the display control unit 4.

  The image data processing unit 3A is a non-overlapping processing unit 24 that processes image data of the non-overlapping region E41, two overlapping processing units 25 and 26 that process image data of the overlapping regions E51 and E52, and an image of the four overlapping region E61. A 4-duplicate processing unit 27 for processing data is included. Further, based on information input from the outside, information on the size and position ((x, y) coordinate value) of each of the non-overlapping area E41, 2 overlapping area E51 and 52 and 4 overlapping area E61 in one frame image is generated, The non-overlapping processing unit 24, the 2-duplicating processing units 25 and 26, and the 4-duplicating processing unit 27 include an area detection unit 35A, a frame buffer 34A, an attribute input unit 22, and a signal generation unit 28.

  The frame buffer 34A receives image data input from the image supply unit 2 (image data including R, G, and B gradation data and pixel position ((x, y) coordinate value) data) for each pixel). One frame is stored, and the stored image data for one frame is read and output to the non-overlapping processing unit 24. The attribute input unit 22 inputs a given attribute AT, and outputs the input attribute AT to each of the non-duplication processing unit 24, the two duplication processing units 25 and 26, and the four-duplication processing unit 27. The signal generation unit 28 receives the given image data, generates an image signal based on the input image data, and outputs the image signal to the display control unit 4.

  Here, the attribute AT indicates the type of attribute and the value of the attribute that should be matched between the overlapping part of the image and the non-overlapping part on the screen 6.

  With reference to FIG. 18, an outline of processing when it is assumed that “image brightness” is specified as the attribute type and “ay” is specified as the attribute value by the attribute AT will be described.

  Referring to FIG. 18, for example, the image projected by the projector (A) includes the non-overlapping region E41, the overlapping regions E51 and E52, and the four overlapping region E61 of FIG. If the value indicated by the attribute AT is determined to be “ay”, the brightness of the images of the two overlapping areas E51 and E52 is determined to be “ay / 2” because the two images overlap, and non- The luminance of the overlapping area E41 is determined to be “ay / 4” because four images overlap (see FIG. 18B). That is, the value of the attribute AT is variable according to the number of overlapping images. As a result, when the same attribute value AT is given to the four projectors, when images are projected on the screen 6, as shown in FIG. 16, the images have the same brightness in the non-overlapping part and the overlapping part.

  Specifically, the non-overlapping processing unit 24 determines the luminance of the image of the non-overlapping region E41 as “ay / 4” based on “ay” indicated by the attribute AT input from the attribute input unit 22. Then, the image data of the non-overlapping area E41 indicated by the information given from the area detection unit 35A is detected from one frame of image data input from the frame buffer 34A, and R, G is detected based on the attribute AT for the detected image data. , B is changed to indicate the determined “ay / 4”. The image data for one frame after the change is output to the duplicate processing unit 25.

  The double overlap processing unit 25 determines the luminance of the image of the double overlap region E51 to be “ay / 2” based on “ay” indicated by the attribute AT input from the attribute input unit 22. Then, the image data of the two overlapping regions E51 indicated by the information given from the region detecting unit 35A is detected from one frame of image data input from the non-overlapping processing unit 24, and R is detected for the detected image data based on the attribute AT. , G, B are changed so as to indicate the determined “ay / 2”. The image data for one frame after the change is output to the double overlap processing unit 26.

  The double overlap processing unit 26 determines the luminance of the image of the double overlap region E52 to be “ay / 2” based on “ay” indicated by the attribute AT input from the attribute input unit 22. Then, the image data of the double overlapping area E52 indicated by the information given from the area detecting unit 35A is detected from one frame of image data input from the double overlapping processing unit 25, and the detected image data is R based on the attribute AT. , G, B are changed so as to indicate the determined “ay / 2”. The image data for one frame after the change is output to the 4-duplication processing unit 27.

  The 4-duplicate processing unit 27 determines the luminance of the image of the 4-overlap region E61 as “ay” based on “ay” indicated by the attribute AT input from the attribute input unit 22. Then, among the image data of one frame input from the double overlap processing unit 26, the image data of the four overlap region E61 indicated by the information given from the region detection unit 35A is detected, and the detected image data is R based on the attribute AT. , G, B are changed so as to indicate the determined “ay”. The image data for one frame after the change is output to the signal generation unit 28.

  The change of the brightness of the image data will be described with reference to FIG. The non-overlapping processing unit 24 compares the luminance indicated by the R, G, and B gradation values of the image data in the non-overlapping area E41 with the value 'ay / 4', and based on the comparison result, the value 'ay / 4' Smaller, that is, when it is detected that the image in the region is dark, the luminance level of the image signal generated based on the image data is shifted for each pixel so as to shift in the direction of the thick arrow in FIG. The gradation values of R, G, and B are changed. On the contrary, when bright is detected, the gradation values of R, G, and B are changed for each pixel so as to shift in the direction opposite to the direction of the thick arrow.

  The comparison of the gradation values of R, G, and B may be performed for each pixel, or the average gradation value of the pixels in the area is detected (calculated), and the average value and the value 'ay / 4' It may be a comparison.

  Similarly, in the 2-duplicate processing unit 25, the 2-duplicate processing unit 26, and the 4-duplicate processing unit 27, the luminance indicated by the above-described R, G, B gradation values and the values 'ay / 2' and 'ay' Based on the comparison process and the comparison result, a process of changing the gradation values of R, G, and B for each pixel is executed in light of the relationship shown in FIG.

  By performing the same processing as described above in the other projectors (B) to (D) in parallel, the image projected on the screen 6 according to the image data output from the signal generation unit 28 of each projector is as follows. As shown in FIG. 16, it exhibits uniform brightness based on the luminance according to the value 'ay'.

[Change attribute]
In the present embodiment, the attribute value of the image projected on the screen 6 is changed. Specific examples of the attribute to be changed include “contrast” and “color” in addition to the “brightness” of the image based on the luminance described above. But not limited to “darkness”, “hue”, “gamma value” and “color temperature”. Also, one or more of these attributes may be changed at the same time.

(Contrast adjustment)
According to the relationship shown in FIG. 11, in order to increase the contrast ratio, the relationship between the R, G, and B gradation values of the pixel in FIG. 11 and the luminance level of the image signal converted based on this is indicated. Change the slope of the solid line. That is, the R, G, and B gradation values are changed so that the inclination is increased by shifting in the direction of the solid arrow. Conversely, in order to reduce the contrast ratio, the gradation values of R, G, and B are changed so that the inclination of the solid line is reduced by shifting in the direction of the broken line arrow. Thus, the contrast ratio increases as the slope of the line segment increases, and the contrast ratio decreases as it decreases.

  In the case of adjusting the contrast, referring to FIG. 19, the attribute AT specifies “contrast” as the attribute type and “ac” as the attribute value. Here, it is assumed that 'ac' corresponds to, for example, the slope of the solid line arrow in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 19, when the attribute value of the image of the four overlapping region E61 of the image projected by the projector (A) is determined to be “ac” based on the input attribute AT, the two overlapping processing units 25 and 26 and the non-overlapping processing are performed. By the unit 24, the attribute values of the images of the two overlapping areas E51 and E52 are determined as 'ac / 2', and the non-overlapping area E41 is determined as 'ac / 4'.

  In operation, the non-overlapping processing unit 24 detects image data of a non-overlapping region E41 indicated by information given from the region detecting unit 35A out of one frame of image data input from the frame buffer 34A. Then, the gradation values indicated by R, G, and B of the detected image data are changed so that the inclination becomes ‘ac / 4’ in accordance with the relationship of FIG. 11. The image data for one frame after changing the gradation value is output to the double overlap processing unit 25.

  The double overlap processing unit 25 detects the image data of the double overlap region E51 indicated by the information given from the region detection unit 35A out of one frame of image data input from the non-overlap processing unit 24. Then, the gradation values indicated by R, G, and B of the detected image data are changed so that the inclination becomes ‘ac / 2’ in accordance with the relationship of FIG. 11. The image data for one frame after changing the gradation value is output to the double overlap processing unit 26.

  The double overlap processing unit 26 detects the image data of the double overlap region E52 indicated by the information given from the region detection unit 35A out of one frame of image data input from the double overlap processing unit 25, and the double overlap processing unit Similarly to 25, the gradation values indicated by R, G, and B of the detected image data are changed. After the change, the image data for one frame is output to the 4-duplication processing unit 27.

  The 4-duplicate processing unit 27 detects the image data of the 4-overlap region E61 indicated by the information given from the region detection unit 35A among the image data of one frame input from the 2-duplicate processing unit 26. Then, the R, G, and B gradation values of the detected image data are changed so that the inclination becomes ‘ac / 4’ in accordance with the relationship of FIG. 11. The image data for one frame after changing the gradation value is output to the signal generator 28.

  This will be further described with reference to FIG. Each of the non-overlapping processing unit 24, the 2-duplicating processing units 25 and 26, and the 4-duplicating processing unit 27 is based on the R, G, and B gradation values of the detected image data, and is related to the solid line in FIG. Is detected. The detected inclination of the solid line is compared with the inclinations according to the determined contrast ratio ('ac', 'ac / 2', 'ac / 4'). If it is determined that the detected inclination is smaller than the inclination according to the determined contrast ratio based on the comparison result, the gradation values of R, G, and B of each pixel are changed so that the inclination of the detected solid line is increased. As a result, the slope of the solid line detected based on the changed R, G, and B tone values matches the determined slope. Further, based on the comparison result, if it is determined that the detected inclination is larger than the inclination according to the determined contrast ratio, the R, G, and B gradation values of each pixel are changed so that the inclination of the detected solid line is reduced. . As a result, the slope of the solid line detected based on the changed R, G, and B tone values matches the determined slope.

  By performing the same processing as described above in the other projectors (B) to (D) in parallel, the image projected on the screen 6 according to the image data output from the signal generation unit 28 of each projector is as follows. , Exhibit a uniform contrast according to the value 'ac'.

(Saturation of color)
The color density of the image projected on the screen 6 is determined by the respective gradation values of R, G, and B of the image data. It is known that when the same color image is projected from each projector, the color of the image becomes darker as the number of overlapping images increases. Therefore, when an attribute AT that designates “color density” as the attribute type and “darkness value (ie, R, G, B gradation value“ ad ”)” as the value is input. The non-overlapping processing unit 24 determines the value “ad” based on the attribute AT. Then, based on the attribute AT, the gradation values of R, G, and B of each pixel of the image data of the non-overlapping area E41 are detected, and the detected gradation value is changed to the determined value 'ad'. Similarly, the double processing unit 25 and the double processing unit 26 also determine the value “ad / 2” based on the attribute AT. Then, the R, G, and B gradation values of each pixel of the image data of the two overlapping areas E51 and E52 are detected, and the detected gradation value is changed to the determined value 'ad / 2'. The 4-duplicate processing unit 27 also determines the value “ad / 4” based on the attribute AT. Then, based on the attribute AT, the gradation value of R, G, B of each pixel of the image data of the four overlapping area E61 is detected, and the detected gradation value is changed to the determined value 'ad / 4'. The image data with these changes is output to the signal generation unit 28.

  By performing the same processing as described above in the other projectors (B) to (D) in parallel, the image projected on the screen 6 according to the image data output from the signal generation unit 28 of each projector is as follows. , Exhibit a uniform color intensity according to the value 'ad'.

(Color adjustment)
The hue of the image projected on the screen 6 is determined by the respective tone values of R, G, and B of the image data. In order to adjust the hue, an attribute AT that designates “hue” as the attribute type and “hue value (that is, R, G, B gradation value“ ae ”)” as the value is input.

  When the attribute AT for adjusting the hue is input, the non-overlapping processing unit 24 determines the value “ae” based on the attribute AT. Then, based on the attribute AT, the gradation values of R, G, and B of each pixel of the image data in the non-overlapping area E41 are detected, and the detected gradation value is changed to the value 'ae'. The double processing unit 25 and the double processing unit 26 also detect the value 'ae / 2' based on the attribute AT. Then, the R, G, and B gradation values of each pixel of the image data of the two overlapping areas E51 and E52 are detected, and the detected gradation value is changed to the determined value 'ae / 2'. The 4-duplicate processing unit 27 also detects the value 'ae / 4' based on the attribute AT, detects the R, G, and B tone values of each pixel of the image data in the 4-overlap region E61, and detects the detected tone The value is changed to the determined value 'ae / 4'. The image data with these changes is output to the signal generation unit 28.

  By performing the same processing as described above in the other projectors (B) to (D) in parallel, the image projected on the screen 6 according to the image data output from the signal generation unit 28 of each projector is as follows. , Exhibit a uniform hue according to the value 'ae'.

(Adjust gamma characteristics)
As described above, the gamma characteristic is represented by an equation of y (y = x raised to the γ power) indicating the relationship between the input image signal (x) and the luminance (y). In the present embodiment, the signal generation unit 28 adjusts the γ characteristic of the image.

  In order to exhibit a gamma characteristic that does not give a sense of incongruity between the images of the non-overlapping area E41, the overlapping area E51 and E52, and the 4-overlapping area E61, the γ value acting on each area is adjusted.

  In order to adjust the gamma characteristic, an attribute AT that designates “gamma characteristic” as the attribute type and “γ value” as the value is input.

  When the attribute input unit 22 detects an attribute AT that adjusts the gamma characteristic based on the input, the attribute input unit 22 outputs the input attribute AT to the signal generation unit 28. The image data output from the frame buffer 34 </ b> A is input to the signal generation unit 28 through the non-overlap processing unit 24, the two-overlap processing units 25 and 26, and the four-overlap processing unit 27. The signal generation unit 28 corresponds to each of the non-overlapping region E41, the overlapping regions E51 and E52, and the four overlapping region E61 according to the data input from the region detecting unit 35A based on the attribute AT among the input image data. The image data to be detected is detected. When the image data detected for each region is converted into an image signal, the image signal is generated and output according to the relational expression described above.

  When generating the image signal, the signal generation unit 28 applies the “γ value” indicated by the input attribute AT to the image signal in the non-overlapping region E41, and applies the “γ / 2 value” to the two overlapping regions E51 and E52. Are applied to the image signal, and “γ / 4 value” is applied to the four overlapping regions E61 to adjust the gamma characteristics.

  By performing the same processing as described above in the other projectors (B) to (D) in parallel, the image projected on the screen 6 according to the image data output from the signal generation unit 28 of each projector is as follows. Exhibit uniform gamma characteristics.

(Adjusting color temperature)
As described in FIG. 13, the color temperature can be adjusted by changing the R or B gradation value among the R, G, and B gradation values.

  Here, it is assumed that the image projected on the screen 6 by the image data for driving the liquid crystal panel is adjusted in white balance.

  When the user desires to change the projected image to a reddish image when the light bulb is used as a light, that is, when the user desires to lower the color temperature exhibited by the image, the attribute type is “color temperature”, and An attribute AT specifying “color temperature value (that is, an increase value“ af ”of R gradation value and a decrease value“ ag ”of B gradation value”) ”is input as a value.

  The non-overlapping processing unit 24 determines the values ‘af’ and ‘ag’ based on the attribute value. Then, based on the attribute AT, the R, G, and B gradation values of each pixel of the image data of the non-overlapping area E41 are detected, and the detected R gradation value is increased by the determined value 'af'. The detected gradation value of B is decreased by the determined value 'ag'. The double overlap processing unit 25 and the double overlap processing unit 26 also determine 'af / 2' and 'ag / 2' based on the attribute value AT. Then, based on the attribute AT, the gradation values of R, G, B of each pixel of the image data of the two overlapping areas E51 and E52 are detected, and the detected gradation value of R is determined to a value 'af / 2'. And the detected gradation value of B is decreased by the determined value 'ag / 2'. The 4-duplicate processing unit 27 also determines the values ‘af / 4’ and ‘ag / 4’ based on the attribute value AT. Then, based on the attribute AT, the gradation values of R, G, B of each pixel of the image data of the four overlapping areas E61 are detected, and the detected gradation value of R is increased by the determined value 'af / 4'. The detected gradation value of B is decreased by the determined value 'ag / 4'. The image data with these changes is output to the signal generation unit 28.

  On the contrary, when the image is bluish (for example, an image with a fluorescent lamp illuminated), the gradation value of B may be increased and the gradation value of R may be decreased based on the attribute AT.

  By performing the same processing as described above in the other projectors (B) to (D) in parallel, the image projected on the screen 6 according to the image data output from the signal generation unit 28 of each projector is as follows. Exhibit a uniform color temperature.

  In the above description, the value of the attribute AT is determined individually by the non-overlapping processing unit 24, the two overlapping processing units 25 and 26, and the four overlapping processing unit 27 according to the number of overlapping images. Alternatively, the attribute input unit 22 may determine this value. The attribute input unit 22 may give a value determined according to the number of overlapping images to the non-overlapping processing unit 24, the 2-duplicating processing units 25 and 26, and the 4-duplicating processing unit 27.

(Other examples)
In the above description, the attribute AT is given by the user via the input receiving unit 15 (or the keyboard 12), but may be detected based on the projected image data.

  A configuration for detecting the attribute AT based on the image data to be projected will be described with reference to FIG. 19, the multi-projector system includes a projector (A), a projector (B), a projector (C), a projector (D), and a projector controller 100 that are arranged adjacent to each other. The projector controller 100 detects the attribute of the image data in the 4-overlap area E61, generates an attribute AT based on the detected attribute, and gives it to each of the projectors (1) to (4). Here, the brightness of the image is exemplified as the attribute AT. The projector controller 100 corresponds to a microcomputer.

  An image projected by the projector (A) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18A shows a non-overlapping area E41 which is a non-hatching area, two overlapping areas E51 and E52 which are single hatching areas, and a four overlapping area E61 which is a double hatching area. Assuming that the luminance level of the image projected from each of the projectors (A) to (D) is Yi (i = 1, 2, 3, 4), the image of the four overlapping area E61 projected on the screen 6 is simply The brightness is ΣYi. Therefore, in order to make the brightness of the image projected on the screen 6 uniform, the projector (A) has the brightness of the image data corresponding to the 4-overlap region E61 (ΣYi / 4), the brightness of the image data corresponding to the two overlapping areas E51 and E52 is adjusted to (ΣYi / 2), and the brightness of the image data corresponding to the non-overlapping area E41 is adjusted to (ΣYi).

  In order to detect the above-described ΣYi, the projector controller 100 includes a frame data input unit 101, a storage unit 102, an attribute detection unit 103, and an attribute value determination unit 104 as shown in FIG. The storage unit 102 stores data D1 to D4 in advance in association with each of the projectors (A) to (D). Each of the data D1 to D4 indicates the size / position of the 4-overlap area E61 in one frame of image data projected by the associated projector.

  The attribute detection unit 103 detects and outputs the value of the attribute of the designated type for the image in the 4-overlap area E61 of the image data of each projector based on the attribute type IP designated from the outside. Specifically, when one frame of image data is input from the frame buffer 34A of each projector via the frame data input unit 101, data Di associated with the projector is retrieved from the storage unit 12 and read out. Then, based on the data Di read from the storage unit 12, image data corresponding to the 4 overlap region E 61 is extracted from the input image data of one frame.

  In operation, the frame data input unit 101 inputs image data in units of frames read from the frame buffers 34A of the projectors (A) to (D) in parallel. By projecting an image according to these four image data, an image is displayed on the screen 6 as shown in FIG.

  The frame data input unit 101 sequentially outputs data of four frame images to the attribute detection unit 103. The attribute detection unit 103 reads from the storage unit 12 data Di (i = 1, 2, 3, 4) indicating the size and position of the 4-overlap area E61 corresponding to the image data of the input frame. Then, the image data at the position (area) indicated by the data Di is detected from the image data of the frame. Based on the R, G, and B gradation values of each pixel of the detected image data, the luminance level Yi of the four overlapping region E61 is detected and output.

The detected brightness level Yi indicates, for example, the average brightness of the image of the 4-overlap area E61.
The attribute value determination unit 104 receives the luminance level Yi of the 4-overlap area E61 of each projector detected by the attribute detection unit 103, and performs cumulative addition to calculate ΣYi. The attribute value determining unit 104 generates an attribute type IP given from the outside and an attribute AT indicating the calculated (ΣYi) / 4, and outputs the generated attribute AT to each of the projectors (A) to (D). .

  In the projectors (A) to (D), based on the attribute AT input from the projector controller 100, a procedure similar to the procedure using the value 'ay' (corresponding to (ΣYi) / 4) in the above (brightness adjustment) is performed. Process the image data.

  Thereby, the image projected on the screen 6 according to the image data output from the signal generation part 28 of each projector exhibits uniform brightness.

  In this embodiment, a liquid crystal projector is used as the projector, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the technology of the present invention may be applied to other projectors such as a DLP (Digital Light Processing) (registered trademark) projector.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus, 2 Image supply part, 3 Image data processing part, 4 Display control part, 5 Input reception part, 5R, 5G, 5B Liquid crystal panel, 6 screens, 7 Image data, 20 Optical engine, 22 Attribute input part, 24 non-overlapping processing unit, 25, 26 2 overlapping processing unit, 27 4 overlapping processing unit, 28, 37 signal generation unit, 31 overlapping region processing unit, 32 non-overlapping region processing unit, 33 dummy region processing unit, 34, 34A frame Buffer, 35, 35A area detection section, 36 dummy area presence / absence designation section, PJ projector, 100 projector controller, 101 frame data input section, 103 attribute detection section, 104 attribute value determination section.

Claims (9)

A projector,
By projecting light of an image onto the projection plane from each of the plurality of projectors, in order to project a part of each of the plurality of images on the projection plane, the image data of the overlapping portion is projected onto the overlapping portion. An overlap processing unit that processes according to the image data of the adjacent part;
By projecting light of an image having a dummy part which is an image non-display area on the projection surface from each of the plurality of projectors, A dummy processing unit that processes the image data in which the dummy part in the overlapping part overlaps according to the image data of the part adjacent to the dummy part;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the dummy portion is included in an image projected from the projector,
The dummy processing unit is a projector that processes image data of the dummy part when the determination part determines that the dummy part is included.   The projector according to claim 1, wherein a size of the dummy part is changeable.   The projector according to claim 1, wherein the dummy processing unit changes an attribute of an image indicated by image data in which the dummy unit overlaps.   4. The attribute according to claim 3, wherein the attribute includes brightness, contrast, color density, hue, hue, sharpness, gamma value, or color temperature of an image pointed to by the dummy data. The projector described. A projector,
From each of the plurality of projectors, by projecting light of an image onto a projection surface, a projection unit that projects the image partially overlapping with other adjacent images on the projection surface;
Among the image data to be projected, an overlapping processing unit that processes the attribute of the image pointed to by the overlapping part image data corresponding to the overlapping part overlapping with the other image according to predetermined information;
A non-overlapping processing unit that processes the attribute of the image indicated by the non-overlapping portion image data corresponding to the non-overlapping portion excluding the overlapping portion of the projected image data, according to the predetermined information;
The overlapping partial image data is
2 overlapping partial image data corresponding to 2 overlapping parts overlapping with 1 adjacent other image and 4 overlapping partial image data corresponding to 4 overlapping parts overlapping with 3 adjacent other images Including projector.   The projector according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined information includes data indicating a type of the attribute to be processed among a plurality of types of the attributes of the image. The predetermined information further includes a predetermined value,
The duplication processing unit changes the value of the type of attribute indicated by the predetermined information of the overlapping partial image data so as to indicate the predetermined value of the predetermined information,
The non-overlapping processing unit changes the value of the type of attribute indicated by the predetermined information of the non-overlapping partial image data so as to indicate the predetermined value indicated by the predetermined information. projector.   The projector according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the plurality of types of attributes include image brightness, contrast, color density, hue, gamma characteristics, or color temperature.   The projector according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined value is variable depending on the number of overlapping images.

Images