Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Computer graphics processing – Graphic manipulation
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-03
2004-12-14
Bella, Matthew C. (Department: 2676)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Computer graphics processing
Graphic manipulation
C345S625000, C345S628000, C345S634000, C345S636000, C345S638000, C382S173000, C382S282000, C382S283000, C382S284000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06831661
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an image display apparatus, and more particularly to a projection display apparatus technology.
BACKGROUND ART
The ability of a projection display apparatus to take input images and display them enlarged on a screen has led to the extensive use for presentations. In a presentation a commentary accompanies the images projected onto the screen. Generally, multiple pages of presentation images are used. While each page of presentation images is different, usually a number of the images are interrelated, so it is necessary to cut back and forth between related presentation pages. Therefore, users want to be able to simultaneously display at least some of multiple pages of interrelated presentation images.
Also, during question and answer sessions or when a short time is needed before a new set of images can be displayed, companies like to display corporate logos, products and other such images (which will also be referred to as specific images) instead of presentation images. In the prior art, specific images were supplied to the projection display apparatus via an image source apparatus such as a computer, video player, TV receiver or the like. Thus, the problem has been that the specific image data has had to be stored beforehand in the image source apparatus connected to the projection display apparatus.
When no images are being input to the projection display apparatus the screen remains blank. In such situations, in the prior art the projection display apparatus displays a one-color screen image called a blank image. In this situation too, users have expressed a desire to display specific images. However, this has not been possible because normal images are not being input from the image source apparatus. This problem is not limited to the projection display apparatus, but is also shared by image display apparatus that display images supplied externally.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
This invention was accomplished to overcome the foregoing problems of the prior art. A first object of the invention is to provide a technology that enables related portions of multiple pages of images to be displayed simultaneously. A second object is to provide a technology that enables specific images to be displayed even when the specific images are not supplied externally.
In accordance with a first aspect of this invention, the above object is attained by a projection display apparatus that comprises: an image extraction section that extracts at least a portion of given first image data as an extraction image; an extraction image memory for storing extraction image data representing the extraction image; an image overlay section that generates overlaid image data by superimposing the extraction image on original image represented by given second image data; a light modulation unit that is driven responsive to the overlaid image data pixel by pixel; and an optical system for projecting onto the screen the overlaid image obtained by the light modulation unit.
Since this projection display apparatus contains a section for extracting at least a portion of a given image, and an image overlay section for superimposing the extracted image on the original image, it is possible to simultaneously display multiple pages of interrelated image portions.
It is preferable that the image extraction section can arbitrarily set the portion to be extracted from the first image data, since this makes it easier to produce extraction image data for a particular purpose.
It should also be possible for the image overlay section to superimpose the extraction image at a desired position on the original image, since that provides more freedom with respect to overlaying extraction images.
It is also preferable that the extraction image memory stores a plurality of extraction image data representing a plurality of extraction images, and the image overlay section superimposes at least one selected extraction image at each specified position on the original image.
Doing this makes it possible to select an arbitrary extraction image from among a plurality of extraction images, enabling a desired extraction image to be overlaid on an original image.
It is preferable for the image overlay section used in the projection display apparatus to be equipped with a synthesizer section that generates the overlaid image data by synthesizing the given second image data and the extraction image data read out from the extraction image memory; and a frame memory for storing the overlaid image data, the frame memory having at least a memory area corresponding to all the pixels of the light modulation unit. In this case, the overlaid image data read out of the frame memory is supplied to the light modulation unit.
With this configuration, since image data consisting of the extraction images superimposed on the original image is written to a frame memory, the overlaid image can be obtained by reading the overlaid image data from the frame memory.
Alternatively, It is preferable for the image overlay section used in the projection display apparatus to be equipped with a frame memory for storing the given second image data, the frame memory having at least a memory area corresponding to all the pixels of the light modulation unit; and a synthesizer section that generates the overlaid image data by synthesizing the second image data read out from the frame memory and the extraction image data read out from the extraction image memory, with the overlaid image data synthesized by the synthesizer section being supplied to the light modulation unit.
This configuration allows the overlaid image data to be obtained in the projection display apparatus. Thus, this projection display apparatus has the same function and advantage as the preceding apparatus. Compared to the preceding configuration in which the overlaid image data is read out of the frame memory and displayed, in this configuration the extraction image is superimposed as the image data is being read out of the frame memory. Therefore, the time taken from the initial overlay command to the display of the overlaid image is shorter.
In another preferred arrangement, the synthesizer section comprises a data selector that selects either one of the second image data and the extraction image data, pixel by pixel, to produce the overlaid image data.
With this configuration, since the data selector selects either one of the second image data and the extraction image data, an extraction image can be superimposed on the original image by substituting extraction image data for part of the original image data.
It is preferable for the synthesizer section to be equipped with a multiplier section that multiplies the second image data and the extraction image data by respective coefficients on a pixel by pixel basis; and an adder section that adds the multiplied second image data and the extraction image data on a pixel by pixel basis.
With this configuration, the coefficients can be used to adjust the density ratio between the embellishment image and the original image.
In another preferred configuration, the synthesizer section comprises a coefficient setting section that controls the coefficients in the multiplier section to change a synthesis ratio between the second image data and the extraction image data, thereby adjusting a degree of transparency of the extraction image superimposed on the original image.
Doing this enables the synthesis ratio between the image data and the extraction image data to be altered by controlling the coefficients of the multiplier section, making it possible an overlay image in which the portion overlaid by an extraction image is transmitted.
In the above projection display apparatus, also, it is preferable that the coefficient setting section changes the coefficients in the multiplier section with time to change the synthesis ratio between the second image data and the extraction image data, thereby changing the degree of transparency of the extraction image superimposed on the original image with time.
Doing this makes
Akaiwa Shoichi
Itoh Takafumi
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