Field of the Invention
This invention relates to image processing, and in particular, it relates to an image processing device and method that achieves dual view display.
Description of Related Art
With the technological advancement and improvement of living standard, various new entertainment devices such as video entertainment and computer game devices are developed. For example, Microsoft developed Xbox and Xbox360 devices, Sony developed PS3 and PS4, and Nintendo developed Wii, etc. The wide availability of various entertainment devices gives people more choices for their leisure time and makes their entertainment activities more colorful.
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Currently there is no good solution for realizing dual view for a source device that has only a single video output.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an image processing apparatus which can realize a dual view function for a source device that has only a single video output, without requiring a GPU, which solves the above described problems of the conventional technology.
The present invention is also directed to an image processing method which can realize dual view when only a single input video signal is received.
In one aspect, the present invention provides an image processing device, which includes an image splitter, a first signal converter, a memory, an image processor and a second signal converter. The image splitter is for receiving an original image signal having a first image format, and duplicating the original image signal into a first image signal and a second image signal. The first signal converter is for receiving the second image signal having the first image format, and converting the second image signal to a second image signal having a second image format. The image processor is for receiving the second image signal having the second image format from the first signal converter, storing the second image signal in the memory based on an enable signal, and continuously comparing whether or not a current frame of the second image signal is the same as a previous frame, wherein when the current frame of the second image signal is different from the previous frame, the image processor continuously receiving the second image signal and storing the second image signal in the memory, and wherein when the current frame of the second image signal is the same as the previous frame, the image processor stopping receiving the second image signal. The second signal converter is for receiving the second image signal having the second image format from the image processor, and converting the second image signal to the second image having the first image format.
In another aspect, the present invention provides an image processing method, which includes: receiving an original image signal; duplicating the original image signal into a first image signal and a second image signal; storing the second image signal in a memory based on an enable signal; continuously comparing a current frame of the second image signal to a previous frame to determine if they are the same; when the current frame of the second image signal is different from the previous frame, continuously receiving the second image signal and storing it in the memory; and when the current frame of the second image signal is the same as the previous frame, stopping receiving the second image signal.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
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The first signal converter 120 receives the second image signal VS2 which has the first image format, and converts the second image signal VS2 to a second image signal VS2D which has a second image format. In one embodiment, when the first image format is an analog format such as video graphics array (VGA), then the first signal converter 120 is an analog to digital converter, and the second signal converter 150 is a digital to analog converter. In another embodiment, when the first image format is a digital format such as transition-minimized differential signaling (TMDS) signal, then the first signal converter 120 is a first digital to digital converter, and the second signal converter 150 is a second digital to digital converter. In a preferred embodiment, the second image format may be, without limitation, a digital format such as low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) or transistor-transistor logic (TTL).
The image processor 130 receives the second image signal VS2D having the second image format from the first signal converter 120, and stored the second image signal VS2D in the memory 140 based on an enable signal. The image processor 130 may be, without limitation, field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and the memory 140 is preferably a buffer memory. The enable signal may be triggered, for example, by an input by the game player using a peripheral device such mouse, keyboard or joystick, or set to be automatically triggered.
In a preferred embodiment, after the image processor 130 receives the second image VS2D, the image processor 130 continuously compares whether or not the current frame of the second image signal VS2D is the same as the previous frame. When the current frame of the second image signal VS2D is different from the previous frame, the image processor 130 continuously receives the second image signal VS2D and stores the second image signal VS2D in the memory 140. When the current frame of the second image signal VS2D is the same as the previous frame, the image processor 130 immediately stops receiving the second image signal VS2D. It should be noted that the second image signal VS2D stored in the memory 140 may be still images (such as a screenshot of a game image or document processing image) or moving images (such as game video images). Also, if the memory 140 is full, it may be set to stop storing newly received second image signal VS2D, or to continue to store newly received second image signal VS2D by sequentially overwriting previously stored data.
The second signal converter 150 receives the second image signal VS2D having the second image format from the image processor 130, converts the second image signal VS2D to the second image signal VS2 having the first image format, and outputs the second image signal VS2 to the second display device 160 to be displayed.
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As mentioned earlier, when the controller 134 receives the second image signal VS2D, the controller 134 continuously compares whether or not the current frame of the second image signal VS2D and the previous frame are the same. In the preferred embodiment, when the controller 134 determines that the current frame of the second image signal VS2D is the same as the previous frame, the enable signal causes the switch 132 to be in the Off state; at this time, the controller 134 is in a freeze state, i.e., it temporarily does not receive the second image signal VS2D from the first signal converter 120.
Thereafter, the player can use a peripheral device such as mouse, keyboard, joystick, etc. to issue a command to the controller 134, causing the controller 134 to retrieve the previously stored second image signal VS2D from the memory 140, such as still or moving images, and display the second image signal VS2D on the second display device 160. This accomplishes a dual view function. In a preferred embodiment, when the controller 134 is in the freeze state, the player may retrieve the previously stored second image signal VS2D from the memory 140, for example, all or part of the second image signal VS2D may be retrieved and displayed on the second display device 160.
Thus, the image processing device according to embodiments of the present invention can achieve a dual view function for a source device 105 that only has a single signal output, without requiring a GPU. Taking a game console as an example, the image processing device according to embodiments of the present invention can display the main game play images on the first display device 115, and at the same time displays auxiliary images on the second display device 160. This can improve the effectiveness and smoothness of the game play and significantly reduce game image switching time.
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Thereafter, in step S3, the second image signal is stored in a memory based on an enable signal. The second image signal may be still image or moving image signals. In one embodiment, after step S3, the second image signal is retrieved form the memory and output to a second display device to be displayed. Further, after retrieving the second image signal from the memory, the second image signal in the digital format is converted to a second image signal in an analog format, and then output to the second display device to be displayed.
Then, in step S4, the current frame of the second image signal is continuously compared to the previous frame to determine if they are the same. When the current frame of the second image signal is different from the previous frame, step S5 is performed, where the second image signal is continuously received and stored in the memory. When the current frame of the second image signal is the same as the previous frame, step S6 is performed, i.e., receiving of the second image signal is stopped. In a preferred embodiment, after step S6, the previously stored second image signal is retrieved from the memory, such as still images or moving images, and displayed on the second display device.
Thus, the image processing method according to embodiments of the present invention can achieve a dual view function for a source device that only has a single signal output.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modification and variations can be made in the image processing apparatus and method of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
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104142133 A | Dec 2015 | TW | national |
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