Signal processing apparatus for a stereoscopic display

This invention relates to an image signal processing apparatus for displaying an image. More particularly, the invention relates to a signal processing apparatus for displaying signals from two signal sources on each of two display units.

When video information is displayed on a display device such as a liquid-crystal display (referred to as an "LCD" hereinafter), it is necessary to prevent a residual image caused by DC components in the video signal. In the prior art, this is accomplished by using a method in which the polarity of the video signal is reversed at fixed periods.

Further, head-mounted displays worn by an observer have been proposed in which two LCDs are used and video information for the left and right eyes of the observer is displayed on respective ones of the LCDs. When two LCDs are used, however, it is necessary that the video signal be reversed in polarity on each signal path at fixed periods. One conventional method of achieving this is to provide each signal path with signal processing means for polarity reversal and signal processing means for no reversal of polarity and switch between the two means in each signal path. Another method is to provide each signal path with one signal processing means capable of switching between reversed/non-reversed polarity, and switch the polarity of the signal processing means per se to thereby change over the polarity of the video signal.

However, with the method of providing the signal processing means for reversal and non-reversal in the prior art described above, there are too many signal processing means. And with the method of providing the signal processing means that can be switched between reversal/non-reversal and changing over the polarity of this signal processing means, it is necessary to adjust the amount of delay between reversal time and non-reversal time in each signal processing means.

Further, methods of displaying a three-dimensional image on a display unit have been proposed in the prior art. According to one method, video signals representing left- and right-eye images of an object, in which the images differ by an amount corresponding to parallax between the two eyes of the observer, are fed into a display unit such as CRT so as to alternate between the left eye image field and the right eye image field of the object. The observer wears a device such as glasses having a shutter function. By opening and closing the shutters synchronously with the changeover between the video signals for the left and right eyes, the image for the left eye is sent to the left eye and the image for the right eye is sent to the right eye, whereby three-dimensional vision is obtained.

With this example of the prior art, however, a circuit is required for switching between the two video signals every field in order to obtain three-dimensional vision. In addition, the glasses having the shutter function must be worn and the shutter must be opened and closed synchronously with the images. Furthermore, even if this approach is adopted, flicker is produced since the image seen by only one eye occurs every other field.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved signal processing apparatus by means of which the problems mentioned above can be solved.

According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a signal processing apparatus according to claim 1. Advantageous further developments of the present invention are as set out in the dependent claims.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designated the same or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a signal processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;</li><li>Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a signal processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;</li><li>Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a signal processing apparatus according. to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;</li><li>Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a signal processing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;</li><li>Figs. 5a, 5b are diagrams for describing states in which a three dimensional image and a panoramic image, respectively, are captured by two cameras;</li><li>Figs. 6a through 6c are diagrams showing right-eye image video, left-eye image video and a three-dimensional fused image, respectively, of an object when display of a three-dimensional image is presented;</li><li>Figs. 7a through 7c are diagrams showing video and an oblong, two-dimensional fused image of objects when display of a panoramic image is presented;</li><li>Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the signal processing apparatus of this embodiment as seen from above; and</li><li>Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the signal processing apparatus of this embodiment as seen from above.</li></ul>

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to drawings.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the construction of a signal processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus has input terminals 1R, 1L for video signals, switch circuits 2R, 2L for switching between the input signals, Y/C separating circuits 3R, 3L for separating a video signal into a luminance signal (Y signal) and a color signal (C signal), decoders 4R, 4L each for producing signals indicative of the three primary colors R, G, B from the Y and C signals, signal processing circuits 5R, 5L for executing processing needed to display the R, G, B signals on respective display units 6R, 6L such as CRTs or LCDs, synchronous separating circuits 7R, 7L for separating synchronizing signals from the video signal, PLL circuits 8R, 8L, driver circuits 9R, 9L for driving the respective display units and other circuits, a control panel 110 for switching between input signals, and a control circuit 111 for controlling the switch circuits 2R, 2L on the basis of a signal from the control panel 110.

The operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Fig. 1. First, a case will be described in which the switch circuits 2R, 2L are each connected to a side <u>a</u>.

The video signal which has entered from the video-signal input terminal 1R is applied to the Y/C separating circuit 3R and synchronous separating circuit 7R through the switch circuit 2R, and the video signal is separated into the Y and C signals by the Y/C separating circuit 3R. The Y and C signals are applied . to the decoder 4R, which produces signals of the three primary colors R, G, B from the Y and C signals. The R, G, B signals are processed by the signal processing circuit 5R in order to be displayed on the display unit 6R, and the processed signals are then supplied to the display unit 6R. Further, the synchronous separating circuit 7R separates a synchronizing signal from the video signal applied thereto and applies the synchronizing signal to the PLL circuit 8R, whereby a phase-locked loop is formed to control the driving frequency of the drive circuit 9R. The latter outputs drive pulses for driving the circuits 3R, 4R, 5R and pulses for driving the display unit 6R. The components whose reference numerals are accompanied by the "L" character operate in the same manner as the corresponding components described above.

The display unit 6R is placed at a location where it can be observed solely by the right eye of the observer, and the display unit 6L is placed at a location where it can be observed solely by the left eye of the observer. The video signal entering from the video-signal input terminal 1R is displayed on the display unit 6R, and the video signal entering from the video-signal input terminal 1L is displayed on the display unit 6L. This arrangement shall be referred to as a first display mode. Further, when the switch circuits 2R, 2L have both been connected to the <u>b</u> side, the video signal from the video-signal input terminal 1R is displayed on the display unit 6L and the video signal from the video-signal input terminal 1L is displayed on the display unit 6R. This shall be referred to as the second display mode. In the first and second display modes, two cameras are placed as shown in Fig. 5a, for example, and video signals of right- and left-eye images of an object are obtained from the two cameras, with the video signals differing by an amount corresponding to the parallax between the two eyes of the observer, as shown in Figs. 6a and 6b. These video signals enter from the video-signal input terminals 1R, 1L, respectively, as a result of which the video signals are displayed on the display units 6R, 6L, respectively. By fusing these two video signals, a three-dimensional image can be displayed, as illustrated in Fig. 6c.

In the first and second display modes, two cameras are placed as shown in Fig. 5b, and video signals obtained from the two cameras as shown in Figs. 7a, 7b are inputted from the video-signal input terminals 1R, 1L. As a result, the video signals are displayed on the display units 6R, 6L, respectively. By fusing these two video signals, the two images are combined as illustrated in Fig. 7c. This makes it possible to display an oblong (panoramic) two-dimensional image in which the aspect ratios of the display units differ.

Figs. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing the arrangement of the apparatus as seen from above. Since the arrangement is symmetrical, only the reference numerals necessary are indicated. Here numerals are shown for the right side only and are followed by the character "R".

As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, numeral 51R denotes an optical element for forming an virtual image. The optical element 51R functions to deflect light flux from the display unit 6R in the direction of the wearer's pupil so as to form the image, which is being displayed on the display unit, as an virtual image in front of the pupil. A relay optical system 52R is inserted to correct for aberration, which could not be sufficiently corrected solely by the optical element 51R, and to form an intermediate image of an object plane (i.e., an image outputted by the display unit 6R). An actuator 53R is for moving the display unit of the optical element 51R which forms the virtual image. The actuator 53R is controlled by a drive circuit 54R, and the amount of control of the actuator 53R is adjusted by a control adjuster 55R. Numeral 56 denotes the virtual image of the displayed image.

In the case where a three-dimensional image is to be displayed in this embodiment, the right-eye virtual image and the left-eye virtual image are made to coincide, as shown in Fig. 8. If a panoramic image is to be displayed, the positions of the display units 6 are moved so as to overlap part of the right-eye virtual image and part of the left-eye virtual image, as illustrated in Fig. 9. As a result, the two virtual images for the left and right sides can be fused more easily.

When the switch circuit 2R has been connected to the side <u>a</u> and the switch circuit 2L has been connected to the side <u>b</u>, the video signal from the video-signal input terminal 1R is displayed on both of the display units 6R, 6L. This shall be referred to as a third display mode. When the switch circuit 2R has been connected to the side <u>b</u> and the switch circuit 2L has been connected to the side <u>a</u>, the video signal from the video-signal input terminal 1L is displayed on both of the display units 6R, 6L. This shall be referred to as a fourth display mode. Accordingly, in the third and fourth display modes, the same image is displayed on both the left and right display units. This makes it possible to display a two-dimensional image.

It goes without saying that the left and right imaginary images should be made to coincide as shown in Fig. 8 in the third and fourth display modes.

Any of the four modes is selected by the observer using the control panel 110 in Fig. 1. On the basis of a signal from the control panel 110, the switch circuits 2R, 2L are placed in the prescribed states by the control circuit 111, thereby changing over the display mode.

Thus, it is possible to construct a display apparatus in which two- and three-dimensional images can be displayed and switched between with ease.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a signal processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Components identical with those shown in Fig. 1 are designated by like reference characters. This embodiment further includes detecting circuits 20R, 20L for detecting the absence or presence of video signals from the video-signal input terminals 1R, 1L.

The operation of the second embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Fig. 2. When both detecting circuits 20R, 20L detect input of the video signals from the video-signal input terminals 1R, 1L, the control circuit 111 controls in such a manner that the switch circuits 2R, 2L are placed in the first or second display mode. Operation of the circuits in back of the switch circuits 2R, 2L is the same as in the first embodiment. When the first display mode has been established, the video signal from the video-signal input terminal 1R is displayed on the display unit 6R and the video-signal input terminal 1L is displayed on the display unit 6L. When the second display mode has been established, the video signal from the video-signal input terminal 1R is displayed on the display unit 6L and the video-signal input terminal 1L is displayed on the display unit 6R.

When the detecting circuit 20L detects that the video signal is not entering from the video-signal input terminal 1L, the control circuit 111 controls so as to place the switch circuits 2R, 2L in the third display mode. When the detecting circuit 20R detects that the video signal is not entering from the video-signal input terminal 1R, the control circuit 111 controls so as to place the switch circuits 2R, 2L in the fourth display mode. In the third display mode, the video input signal from the video-signal input terminal 1R is displayed on both of the display units 6R, 6L. In the fourth display mode, the video input signal from the video-signal input terminal 1L is displayed on both of the display units 6R, 6L.

By adopting this arrangement, effects similar to those of the first embodiment are obtained. In addition, when a video signal is entering from each of the two video-signal input terminals, the respective images are displayed on the two display units. When an input signal is being applied only to one of the two video-signal input terminals, this video signal can be displayed on both of the display units. As a result, it is possible to switch automatically between display of a two-dimensional image and display of a three-dimensional image in dependence upon the input signal.

Furthermore, a third embodiment of the present invention is an improvement upon the first and second embodiments. The third embodiment is so adapted that when video signals enter both of the video-signal input terminals 1R, 1L and the first or second display mode has been selected in the first and second embodiments, it is possible to switch from the first display mode to the second display mode or from the second display mode to the first display mode under the control of the control circuit 111 by operating the control panel 110.

By adopting this arrangement, the effects of the first and second embodiments are obtained. In addition, in a case where video signals to be applied in order to display a three-dimensional image mistakenly enter the wrong video-signal input terminals 1R, 1L so that the three-dimensional display is not presented correctly, the display mode can be changed over. As a result, it is possible to present a correct display and to prevent erroneous operation.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a signal processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Components identical with those shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are designated by like reference characters. This embodiment further includes switch circuits 30R, 30L for selecting the video signals, which enter the display units 6R, 6L, from the outputs of the signal processing circuits 5R, 5L.

The operation of the fourth embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Fig. 3. When both detecting circuits 20R, 20L detect input of the video signals from the video-signal input terminals 1R, 1L, the switch circuits 2R, 2L are both connected to their <u>a</u> side or <u>b</u> side and the switch circuits 30R, 30L are connected to their <u>a</u> side by the control circuit 111, whereby the first or second display mode is established. The operation of each signal processing circuit at this time is the same as in the above-mentioned embodiments. When an input signal from the video-signal input terminal 1L is not detected by the detecting circuit 20L, the control circuit 111 controls in such a manner that the switch circuits 2R, 2L are both connected to their <u>a</u> side, the switch circuit 30R is connected to its <u>a</u> side and the switch circuit 30L is connected to its <u>b</u> side, and the third display mode is established in which the video signal from the video-signal input terminal 1R is displayed on both of the display units 6R, 6L through the signal processing route composed of the circuits 3R, 4R, 5R, 7R, 8R and 9R. When both detecting circuits 20R, 20L detect input of the video signals from the video-signal input terminals 1R, 1L, the switch circuits 2R, 2L are both connected to their <u>a</u> side or <u>b</u> side and the switch circuits 30R, 30L are connected to their <u>a</u> side by the control circuit 111, whereby the first or second display mode is established. The operation of each signal processing circuit at this time is the same as in the above-mentioned embodiments. When an input signal from the video-signal input terminal 1R is not detected by the detecting circuit 20R, the control circuit 111 controls in such a manner that the switch circuits 2R, 2L are both connected to their <u>a</u> side, the switch circuit 30R is connected to its <u>b</u> side and the switch circuit 30L is connected to its <u>a</u> side, and the fourth display mode is established in which the video signal from the video-signal input terminal 1L is displayed on both of the display units 6R, 6L through the signal processing route composed of the circuits 3L, 4L, 5L, 7L, 8L and 9L.

By adopting this arrangement, effects similar to those of the above-mentioned embodiments are obtained. In addition, when the third or fourth display mode is in effect, a display is presented on both of the display units by using one of the two signal processing routes. As a result, an additional effect obtained is that less current is consumed in comparison with the foregoing embodiments.

It goes without saying that if the video signals which enter from the first and second video-signal input terminals are synchronized, there need be only one synchronous separating circuit, one PLL circuit and one drive circuit.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a signal processing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Components identical with those shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 are designated by like reference characters. This embodiment includes A/D converting circuits 41R, 41L, memories 42R, 42L, D/A converting circuits 43R, 43L, a comparator circuit 44 for comparing two synchronizing signals, a switch circuit 45 for switching between synchronizing signals, write-pulse generating circuits 46R, 46L which generate write pulses for writing data in the memories 42R, 42L, respectively, and read-pulse generating circuits 47R, 47L which generate read pulses for reading data out of the memories 42R, 42L, respectively.

The operation of the fifth embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Fig. 4. When both detecting circuits 20R, 20L detect input of the video signals from both of the video-signal input terminals 1R, 1L, the switch circuits 2R, 2L are connected to their <u>a</u> side by the control circuit 111, the video signals enter respective ones of the A/D converting circuits 41R, 41L and synchronous separating circuits 7R, 7L, these signals are converted from analog video signals to digital video signals by the A/D converting circuits 41R, 41L and synchronizing signals are separated from them by the synchronous separating circuits 7R, 7L. The synchronizing signals outputted by the synchronous separating circuits 7R, 7L enter the respective write-pulse generating circuits 46R, 46L, which generate write pulses synchronized to these entering synchronizing signals. The outputs of the A/D converting circuits 41R, 41L are written in the memories 42R, 42L, respectively, at the timing of these pulses. The synchronizing signals outputted by the synchronous separating circuits 7R, 7L further enter the comparator circuit 44, which compares the phases of the two synchronizing signals. If the synchronizing signal produced by the synchronous separating circuit 7R is late, the switch circuit 45 is connected to the R side to supply the signal to the PLL circuit 8. If the synchronizing signal produced by the synchronous separating circuit 7L is late, the switch circuit 45 is connected to the L side to supply the signal to the PLL circuit 8. The synchronizing signal fed into the PLL circuit 8 forms a phase-locked loop to control the driving frequency of the drive circuit 9. The output of the drive circuit 9 enters the read-pulse generating circuits 47R, 47L, which generate read pulses synchronized to this signal. Video signals that have been stored in the memories 42R, 42L are read out of these memories at the timing of these pulses and the read signals are converted from digital to analog signals by the respective D/A converting circuits 43R, 43L. Thereafter, the signals are separated into Y and C signals by the respective Y/C separating circuits 3R, 3L, and the decoders 4R, 4L each convert these inputs into signals of the three primary colors R, G, B. The R, G, B signals are subjected to prescribed processing by each of the signal processing circuits 5R, 5L in order that they can be displayed on the display units, and the processed signals are then supplied to the display units 6R, 6L. This is the first display mode, in which the video signal which has entered from the video-signal input terminal 1R is displayed on the display unit 6R and the video signal which has entered from the video-signal input terminal 1L is displayed on the display unit 6L.

In the case of the second display mode, the switch circuits 2R, 2L are both connected to their <u>b</u> side, whereby the video signal which has entered from the video-signal input terminal 1R is displayed on the display unit 6L and the video signal which has entered from the video-signal input terminal 1L is displayed on the display unit 6R. The operation of the circuitry between these switch circuits and the display units is the same as in the first display mode.

In the third display mode, the switch circuit 2R is connected to the <u>a</u> side and the switch circuit 2L is connected to the <u>b</u> side, whereby the video signal which has entered from the video-signal input terminal 1R is displayed on both of the display units 6R, 6L. In the fourth display mode, the switch circuit 2R is connected to the <u>b</u> side and the switch circuit 2L is connected to the <u>a</u> side, whereby the video signal which has entered from the video-signal input terminal 1L is displayed on both of the display units 6R, 6L.

By virtue of this arrangement, effects similar to those of the above-mentioned embodiments are obtained. In addition, since the video signals displayed on the display units can be synchronized, only one drive_ circuit for driving the display units and the other circuits of the signal processing circuitry need be provided.

In the embodiments set forth above, cases have been described in which VIDEO signals are inputted as the video signals. However, it goes without saying that the invention is not limited to VIDEO signals; the inputs can be a Y/C input (S input) or R, G, B, SYNC inputs.

In accordance with the embodiments as described above, two video-signal input terminals, two signal processors and two display units, one of which can be seen only by the left eye and the other of which can be seen only by the left eye, are provided. The video signal for the right eye is sent to the display unit for the right eye and the video signal for the left eye is sent to the display unit for the left eye. A two- or three-dimensional image can be displayed without producing flicker.

Further, if means are provided for synchronizing the video signals which have entered from the two video-signal input terminals in the fourth through eighth embodiments, two signal processors can be replaced by one shared signal processor and two drive circuits for driving the two display units can be replaced by one shared drive circuit.

Further, in the embodiments, video signals which have entered from two video-signal input terminals are selectively switched between and displayed on two display units in a first or second display mode, whereby a two- or a three-dimensional image is displayed without producing flicker. The same two-dimensional image can be displayed on the two display units in a third or fourth display mode.

Further, in the embodiments, two detecting units are provided for detecting the absence or presence of video signals inputted from two video-signal input means. Switching between a two-dimensional image display and a three-dimensional image display can be performed automatically depending upon whether or not video signals are being applied to the two video-signal input terminals.

Further, in the embodiments, when a two-dimensional image is displayed in the third mode or fourth mode, consumed current at the time of use can be reduced by employing either of the two signal processing units.

Further, in the embodiments, in a case where video signals enter from two video-signal input terminals, video signals supplied to the left and right display units are switched between selectively, whereby it is possible to prevent the video signals from being supplied to the left and right display units erroneously and displayed on the wrong sides.

As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present invention can be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.