Mixed resolution displays

• US 7,629,945 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2001
• Issued: 12/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Baudisch, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Richer, Aaron M
• Application Number:
  US10/015,613
• Publication Number:
  US 20020167531A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,913 Days
• Field of Search: 345/611, 345/531, 345/545, 382/269, 382/113, 358/450, 358/452, 250/208.1
• US Class Current: 345/1.3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1438 using more than one graphics controller
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0693 Calibration of display systems
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/0407 Resolution change, inclusive of the use of different resolutions for different screen areas
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/006 Electronic inspection or testing of displays and display drivers, e.g. of LED or LCD displays testing individual LED's G01R31/2635; testing lamps G01R31/44; testing of optical features of LCD displays G02F1/1309
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/12 Picture reproducers H04N9/11 takes precedence

Abstract

Two or more display units with different resolutions are combined such that the geometry of images displayed across the multiple display units is preserved and the image appears to be substantially continuous to a viewer of the image. Compatibility of the sizes of image elements on different display units is achieved by using display unit-specific scaling to compensate for the different pixel sizes on the individual display units.

Claims

1. A display for displaying a single perceived continuous image across multiple display devices such that a portion of the single image is displayed on each device comprising:

a) a first display device having a first display area with a first display resolution and a first boundary, so arranged and adapted to receive first image information data from a first image processor;

b) a second display device having a second display area with a second display resolution, wherein the second display resolution is different from the first display resolution, and a second boundary, so arranged and adapted to receive second image information data from a second image processor;

c) a third display device having a third display area so arranged and adapted to receive third image information data;

d) an image replicator configured to generate different first and second scale factors necessary to scale the first and second image information data for display on the first and second display devices, respectively, wherein the first and second image information data is scaled by the first and second scale factors for display on the respective first and second display devices, and

e) the first, second, and third display devices being so constructed and arranged such that when the first image information data is displayed on the first display device, the second image information data is displayed on the second display device, and the third image information data is displayed on the third display device the resulting displayed single image appears to be substantially continuous across the first, second, and third display areas to a viewer situated to view the image and the displayed resolution of the portion of the image displayed on the first display area is different than the displayed resolution of the portion of the image displayed on the second display area such that one of;

scaling, brightness, color, and translation of the displayed first image information data and the displayed second image information data are both within a predetermined tolerance value,

wherein the first display area surrounds the second and third display areas, and

the second and third display areas are spaced apart with a portion of the first display area interposed therebetween.

2. The display of claim 1 wherein one display device comprises an LCD display.

3. The display of claim 1 wherein one display device comprises a projector and a projection surface.

4. The display of claim 1 wherein the first and second boundaries are at least partially contiguous.

5. The display of claim 1 wherein one display area is adjacent to another display area.

6. The display of claim 1 wherein the third display resolution is different from at least one of the first display resolution and the second display resolution.

7. A display comprising:

at least three display devices, each display device having a display area with a given display resolution wherein the display resolution of at least one display area is different from the display resolution of at least one other display area, a boundary wherein the boundary of each display area is at least partially contiguous with the boundary of at least one other display area, and an associated image processor for providing image information data, the display devices being so constructed and arranged such that when a single image is displayed across the at least three display areas using image information data received from the associated image processors, the resulting displayed image is perceived as substantially continuous to a viewer situated to view the image and the displayed resolution of the portion of the image displayed on one of the at least three display areas is different than the displayed resolution of the portion of the image displayed on at least one other of the at least three display areas such that one of;

scaling, brightness, color, and translation of the displayed portion of the image displayed on one of the at least two display areas and the displayed portion of the image displayed on at least one other of the at least two display areas are both within a predetermined tolerance value; and

an image replicator configured to generate at least two different scale factors to scale the image information data displayed on corresponding ones of the at least three display devices, wherein the image information data is scaled by the at least two different scale factors for display on corresponding ones of the at least three display devices,

wherein the display area of a first display device of the at least three display devices surrounds the display areas of a second display device and a third display device of the at least three display devices, and

the display areas of the second and third display devices are spaced apart with a portion of the display area of the first display device interposed therebetween.

8. The display of claim 7 wherein at least one display area comprises an LCD display.

9. The display of claim 7 wherein at least one display area comprises a projection surface.

10. The display of claim 7 wherein there are 5 display areas.

11. A display for displaying a single perceived continuous image across three display devices such that a portion of the single image is displayed on each device comprising:

a) means for displaying a first portion of an image on a first display area of a first display device, the first display area having a first display resolution and a first boundary;

b) means for displaying a second portion of the image on a second display area of a second display device, the second display area having a second display resolution, wherein the second display resolution is different from the first display resolution, and a second boundary;

c) means for displaying a third portion of the image on a third display area of a third display device;

d) an image replicator configured to generate different scale factors to scale the first and second portions of the image displayed on corresponding ones of the first and second display devices, wherein the first and second portions of the image are scaled by the scale factors for display on the corresponding ones of the first and second display devices; and

e) the first, second, and third means for displaying being so constructed and arranged such that when a combined image comprising at least a portion of the first portion of the image displayed in the first display area, at least a portion of the second portion of the image displayed in the second display area, and at least a portion of the third portion of the image displayed in the third display area are displayed the resulting combined image appears to be substantially continuous to a viewer situated to view the image and the displayed resolution of the first portion of the image is different than the displayed resolution of the second portion of the image such that one of;

scaling, brightness, color, and translation of the displayed at least a portion of the first portion of the image and the displayed at least a portion of the second portion of the image are both within a predetermined tolerance value,

wherein the first display area surrounds the second and third display areas, and

the second and third display areas are spaced apart with a portion of the first display area interposed therebetween.

12. The display of claim 11 wherein one display device comprises an LCD display.

13. The display of claim 11 wherein one display device comprises a projector and a projection surface.

14. The display of claim 11 wherein one display area is adjacent to another display area.