JPH02257332A - Image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to an image display device using a multi-window display method.

2. Description of the Related Art Image display devices that display output data from a computer generally use a multi-window display method in which an area on a display screen is divided into a plurality of areas and a plurality of different pieces of data are displayed simultaneously. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image display device using a conventional multi-window display method. The operation of the image display device will be explained below using the same figure.

A drawing command to be displayed on the screen of the CRTls is created on the host computer 1 and transferred to the image display device 3 via the path 2. The image display device 8 receives drawing commands via the interface block 4 and transfers them to the graphics processor 5. The graphics processor 5 interprets the received drawing command, converts it into drawing data that can be received by the raster graphics processor 8 which draws on the frame memory 9, and outputs it to the graphics bus 6. Here, 3 is a mouse for inputting coordinates to the graphics processor 5, and 30 is a keyboard for inputting characters. The geometric conversion processor 7 converts the drawing data into data to be displayed in an arbitrary area on the screen of the CRTU designated by the mouse 31. The raster graphics processor 8 receives the output data of the geometric transformation processor 7,
Pixel data is generated and written into the frame memory 9. The pixel data written to the frame memory 9 is
(Video control circuit 1 according to R'rll raster scanning)
0 is read out continuously and displayed on the CRT II.

When a figure displayed on the CRTII is selected with the mouse 31 and the selected figure is controlled, data generated by the selection is transferred from the graphics processor 5 to the host computer 1 via the bus 2. Control is performed using control commands on the host computer 1.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, conventional image display devices using a multi-window display method can display different image data in multiple display areas, but they only draw figures and character data created by a combiator. In order to display images from arbitrary media such as a TV or VTR, image data must first be captured by a host computer, converted into a drawing command, and then transferred to an image display device. For this reason, there was a problem that a huge amount of memory area was used on the host computer and the speed was slow (so that continuous moving images could not be displayed).

In addition, when performing some kind of control by selecting a figure with a pointing device such as a mouse, the selected data is first transferred to the host computer, and control is performed using control commands created on the host computer. Therefore, when controlling external equipment corresponding to the selected figure, there is a problem in that only equipment that can be connected to the input/output port of the host computer can be controlled.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to simultaneously display drawing data from a host combinator and input image signals of arbitrary media on a multi-window display screen, and to directly control external equipment. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an image display device that is capable of displaying images.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention includes one or more image signal input means, and input images from the image signal input means to a display area on a screen designated by a coordinate input means. means for generating a control signal for turning the front thread; area conversion means for converting the input image into data of a display area specified by the coordinate input means; and a drawing created on the host combiator. The apparatus includes means for synthesizing pixel data from a command and the output of the area converting means.

Furthermore, the present invention is provided with a configuration in which means for generating a control signal corresponding to the figure selected by the coordinate input means and means for outputting this control signal to the outside are added.

According to the above-described structure, the present invention displays pixel data created from drawing data from a host computer and input image signals of arbitrary media from an image input terminal on a multi-window display screen in which the area is divided into a plurality of areas. It is now possible to display both images at the same time. Furthermore, it is possible to directly control external equipment using control signals generated by selecting a graphic such as an icon displayed on the display screen.

Embodiment (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image display device in a first embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the same components as in FIG. 4 are given the same numbers.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a host computer, on which drawing commands to be displayed on the screen of the CR 8o are created and transferred to the image display device 3 via the bus 2. The image display device 3 receives drawing commands via the interface block 4 and transfers them to the graphics processor 5. The graphics processor 5 interprets the received drawing command, converts it into drawing data that can be received by the raster graphics processor 8 which performs drawing on the frame memory 9, and sends it to the graphics bus 6.
Output to. Here, 31 is a mouse for inputting coordinates to the graphics processor 5, and 30 is a keyboard for inputting character input. mouse 31
By inputting coordinates to the graphics processor 5 using , a display area for a drawing command from the host computer 1 and an input image from an image signal input terminal (described later) is specified. The graphics processor 5 receives coordinate input from the mouse 3I and outputs control signals to a geometric transformation processor and an area transformation processor, which will be described later.

In response to this control signal, the geometric conversion processor 7 converts the drawing data into data for an arbitrary display area on the display screen of the CRTII designated by the mouse 31. 12. +3.14 are image signal input terminals, into which image data of arbitrary media such as television and video can be input.

Reference numerals 18, 19, and 20 denote area conversion processors, respectively, which convert input images from the one-image input terminals 12, 13, and 14 into data for the display area on the screen specified by the mouse 31 in accordance with the control signal. . The raster graphics processor 8 generates pixel data from the output data of the geometric transformation processor 7, and stores this pixel data and the output data of the area transformation processors 18, 19, and 20 in the frame memory corresponding to each divided display area. Write to address 9. The pixel data written to the frame memory 9 is
The data are continuously read out by the video control circuit 1θ according to raster scanning and displayed on the screen.

21, 22, and 23 are audio input terminals, which are selected by the selection circuit 24 in response to a control signal from the graphics processor 5, and one of them is output to the speaker 25. In order to select a figure displayed on the CRT II with the mouse 31 and control the selected figure and the corresponding equipment, if the control is performed on the host computer 1, the data generated by the selection is sent to the graphics processor. 5 to the host computer 1 via the bus 2, and is controlled by control commands on the host combinator 1.

When directly controlling an external device, the graphics processor 5 generates a control signal based on the data generated by the selection, outputs it to the control signal output terminals 28 and 27, and controls the external device using this signal.

With the above configuration, a display screen as shown in FIG. 2 can be realized on the CRTII.

In FIG. 2, 40 is a display screen of a CRTtl, and different image data is displayed on this screen 40 in a plurality of divided areas using a multi-window display method.

41 is the display area (window) of the TV screen;
2 is a data display window as a computer terminal, and 43 is a display window of a monitor screen. TV screen window 41 and monitor screen window 43
are drawn using image signals input to the image input terminals 12-14. Reference numeral 44 and 45 indicate intercom and telephone icons. For example, when a telephone call is received, by selecting this telephone icon 45 with the mouse 31, the graphics processor 5 generates a control signal. Output to output terminals 2G and 27. This control signal controls the telephone, and the audio input terminal 2! By selecting the audio signal of the telephone connected to 23 with the selection circuit 24, the voice of the telephone can be output to the speaker 25.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, all display data is written to the frame memory 9, so moving images cannot be displayed at current memory and processor speeds. Therefore, if the screen shown in FIG. 2 is displayed, the display data on the television screen will be a still image.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of an image display device for displaying an input image from an image input terminal as a moving image. In this figure, the same components as in FIGS. 1 and 4 are given the same numbers.

1 is a host computer, 2 is a path, 3 is an image display device, 4 is an interface block, 5 is a graphics processor, 6 is a graphics path, 31 is a mouse,
3G is the keyboard, 7 is the geometric transformation processor, U is CR
T, 12, 13. 14 are image input terminals, 18, 19
．． 20 is an area conversion processor, 21, 22, 23 is an audio input terminal, 24 is a selection circuit, 25 is a speaker, 28.2
7 is an external control signal output terminal, each of which operates in the same manner as in FIG.

The configuration differs from that shown in FIG. Frame 4 that generates data and corresponds to the display area
Write to the memory 9 address. The pixel data written to the frame memory 9 is continuously read out by the video control circuit IO according to the raster scanning of the %CRTJt, and is outputted to the switching circuit 50 together with the output data of the area conversion processors 18, 19, and 20. Switching circuit 50
switches the input data at the time corresponding to each divided display area according to the raster scanning of the CRTII,
Output and display on CRTtt.

With the above configuration, it is possible to realize a display screen as shown in FIG. 2. In this case, only the drawing data from the host computer is written to the frame memory 9, and the Since the data is displayed directly on the CRT II via the domain transform processor and switching circuit 50, it is possible to display moving images as an image input signal of any media.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, in a multi-window type image display device in which the display screen is divided into a plurality of arbitrarily settable sections and a plurality of different image data are displayed simultaneously, Image data of any media from the image input terminal and drawing data from the host computer can be displayed simultaneously in different areas, and audio can also be output by switching signals of any media, and the shape selected by the coordinate input device can be displayed simultaneously in different areas. Since it is possible to directly control external devices, if a computer is installed in the home, all of the image and audio related devices can be displayed on one image display device, and can be controlled on that display screen.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display image when using the image display device of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a conventional image display device. 1...Host computer, 2...Path, 3...
Image display device, 4...interface block, 5
. . . Graphics processor, 6 .・CRT, 12
~Supervisor 4... Image signal input terminal, ■8-20... Area conversion processor, 21-23... Audio input terminal, 24
... selection circuit, 28.27 ... external control signal output terminal, 30 ... keyboard, 31 ... mouse, 50.
...Switching circuit. Name of agent: Patent attorney Shigetaka Awano

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In an image display device in which drawing data created by a host computer is displayed on a screen, the area on the screen is divided into multiple areas, and multiple different pieces of data are displayed simultaneously, one or more image signals are input. means for generating a control signal for displaying the input image by the image signal input means in a display area on the screen specified by the coordinate input means; and a means for synthesizing the drawing data created by the host computer and the output of the area conversion means, the drawing data created by the host computer and the input image simultaneously on the screen divided into a plurality of regions. (2) In an image display device in which drawing data created by a host computer is displayed on a screen, the area on the screen is divided into multiple areas, and multiple different pieces of data are displayed simultaneously, one or more image signals are input. means for generating a first control signal for displaying an input image by the image signal input means in a display area on the screen specified by the coordinate input means; area converting means for converting an image into data of a display area specified by the coordinate input means; means for synthesizing drawing data created by the host computer and the output of the area converting means; and display figures on the screen. a selection means for making a selection, a means for generating a second control signal corresponding to the graphic data selected by the selection means, and a means for outputting the second control signal; An image display device characterized in that the created drawing data and the input image are simultaneously displayed on the screen divided into a plurality of regions, and the external device is directly controlled by the second control signal.