JPH10319929A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide an image display device used by elderly people who have reduced visual functions such as spatial frequency characteristics and transmission characteristics of a crystalline lens. SOLUTION: Based on image data storage means for storing image data, visual characteristic data storage means for storing standard visual characteristic data of the elderly, and standard visual characteristic data stored in the visual characteristic data storage means, In a display device including an image data correction unit that corrects image data stored in the image data storage unit and a display unit that displays the corrected image data, the individual conditions related to the user and the installation environment of the device are determined. An individual condition input means for input;
The image data correction means for correcting the image data stored in the image data storage means based on the parameters obtained from the individual condition input means in addition to the standard visual characteristic data. This makes it possible to correct the image data according to the visual characteristics of the user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image display device used by elderly people who have reduced visual functions such as spatial frequency characteristics and transmission characteristics of a crystalline lens.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In Japan, it is expected that the aging of the population will rapidly progress toward the beginning of the 21st century, and that one in four people will have a society of the elderly. Under these circumstances,
In the field of lifelong learning and the use of welfare systems, the opportunity for elderly people to contact information devices is increasing. However, information devices are generally developed and manufactured for young and middle-aged people, making them difficult for elderly people to use. In particular, when considering the display function, elderly people generally have the following visual functions, and therefore, there is a problem in that a display device targeting the above-mentioned age group cannot see clearly.

(1) Decrease in sensitivity in high frequency range (2) Decrease in transmittance in short wavelength range due to yellowing of crystalline lens of eyeball (3) Decrease in focus adjustment ability The Laplacian filter (compensates for spatial frequency characteristics) and the color balance adjustment (compensation for the transmission characteristics of the crystalline lens), which is required from the sensitivity characteristics of the retina, compensate for the deteriorating parts of the visual characteristics, providing a display function that is easy for the elderly to see It is proposed to provide. ("Reproduction and correction of visual characteristics of elderly people",
Kazunori Higuchi et al., Toyota Central R & D Labs, 1995 26th Conference on Image Engineering Conference)

[0004]

Table 1 shows that the contrast 1% was obtained from the measurement results of the existing contrast sensitivity function CSF.
The cutoff frequency in each age group is estimated based on (sensitivity 100) [that is, the case where a change of contrast of 1% can be recognized is referred to as sensitivity 100].
It can be understood that the visual acuity decreases with aging.
("The vision of the elderly and its simulation", Masami Funakawa, Nissan Motor, Nissan Technique 1993-6)

[0005]

[Table 1]

Further, it has been obtained that yellowing of the visual field due to a decrease in the transmittance of the crystalline lens progresses with aging.
("Color perception of the elderly-actual conditions and simulations of yellow vision changes", Ako Yoshida et al., Tsukuba College of Technology, Color Forum JAPAN '96). Regardless, in the above-described conventional method, the display is performed so as to be adapted only to the standard visual characteristics of the elderly (the state in which the cutoff frequency and the transmittance are fixed to predetermined values). There was a problem that different visual characteristics could not be handled.

[0007] Further, there is a relationship between the correlated color temperature of the light source and the allowable limit luminance of the glare, and there is a correlation between the spatial resolution and the illuminance (“visual functions of the elderly”, Tadahiko Fukuda, NHK) Japan Broadcasting Research Institute, IEICE Research Report I
E (Research Institute of Image Engineering) 90-76), the visual characteristics are also affected by the installation conditions (illuminance, illumination light, etc.) of the display device, but the conventional method does not consider such installation conditions. Had a point.

Further, the visual characteristics are affected by the state at the time of use, such as the health condition of the user, but there is a problem that the user's state at the time of use cannot be instructed and reflected. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems,
An object of the present invention is to provide a display device for the elderly capable of performing display corresponding to the visual characteristics of the elderly and the installation conditions of the display device. It is another object of the present invention to provide a display device for the elderly, which can easily display according to a user's condition in accordance with a user's instruction.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following means. That is,
Image data storage means for storing image data; visual characteristic data storage means for storing standard visual characteristic data of the elderly; and image data storage means based on the standard visual characteristic data stored by the visual characteristic data storage means. In a display device comprising: image data correcting means for correcting image data stored by the user; and display means for displaying the corrected image data, wherein individual conditions for inputting individual conditions relating to the user and the apparatus installation environment are provided. The image processing apparatus includes an input unit and the image data correction unit that corrects image data stored in the image data storage unit based on parameters obtained from the individual condition input unit in addition to the standard visual characteristic data. The individual condition input means includes: a user condition input means for inputting a condition relating to a user's visual ability; an environmental condition detecting means for detecting an environmental condition which affects the visual ability; and a user's visual characteristic. A visual characteristic detecting unit or the like for detection is conceivable, and the image correcting unit performs image correction using a value input from each input unit as a parameter.

Further, if an image correction instruction input means for inputting an image correction instruction according to the state of the user is used as the individual condition input means, it is possible to correct the image data more suitable for the user.

Further, as described above, the parameters input from the individual condition input means are stored in the correction content storage means so as to correspond to the user, so that I can be identified.
By just inputting D, it becomes possible to correct image data suitable for the user.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the display device for the elderly according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an image data storage unit 101 sends image data to an image data correction unit 103. The user condition input unit 105 inputs a user condition described below and transfers it to the image data correction unit 103 as a correction adjustment parameter. The environmental condition detecting means 106 detects an installation environment condition of the apparatus, and transfers the installation environment condition to the image data correction means 103 as a correction adjustment parameter.

The visual characteristic detecting means 107 detects the visual characteristic of the user and transfers the characteristic to the image data correcting means 103 as a correction adjustment parameter. The image correction instruction input means 108 inputs the contents of an image correction instruction from a user and uses the image data correction means 1 as a correction adjustment parameter.
Transfer to 03. The image data correction unit 103 reads the visual characteristic data from the visual characteristic data storage unit 102, and corrects the image data using the visual characteristic data and each of the above-described correction adjustment parameters. The display unit 104 displays the sent corrected image data.

Hereinafter, each means will be described.
First, the image storage unit 101 stores an image before being corrected by the following processing. The visual characteristic data storage means 102 stores standard visual characteristic data of the type described below for the elderly. That is, in order to compensate for the visual characteristics of the elderly, (1) the spatial frequency characteristics are corrected by edge enhancement, and (2) the transmission characteristics of the crystalline lens are corrected by color adjustment and luminance adjustment. Therefore, the visual characteristic data storage means 102 stores the standard spatial frequency characteristic and the standard transmission characteristic of the crystalline lens expected for the elderly using the device as visual characteristic data.

Next, as shown in Table 1, since the visual characteristics of the elderly change with age, it is necessary to correct the image by adding the age to the standard visual characteristic data. Therefore, the user condition input means 105 can input the age of the user as a condition and transfer the input to the image data correction means 103. Further, the environmental condition detecting means 106 detects an environmental condition including the illuminance and the color temperature of the light source where the apparatus of the present invention is installed, and transfers the detected environmental condition to the image data correcting means 103. Further, the visual characteristic detecting means 107 detects the visual characteristics of the user.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the visual characteristic detecting means 107. First, a spatial frequency characteristic detection image stored in an inspection image storage unit (not shown) for detecting the spatial frequency characteristic is displayed on the display unit 104 (S401). It is confirmed whether or not the user has identified the display image (S402), and if not, the detection image is updated (S406). This procedure is repeated to detect the spatial frequency characteristics of the user. Here, as the image for detecting the spatial frequency characteristic, for example, an image of a checkered pattern is used,
The degree of density (spatial frequency) of the grid is adjusted to determine whether or not the user can recognize. Instead of the checkerboard pattern, a ring with cuts on the left, right, top and bottom used for eyesight inspection may be used.

After the detection of the spatial frequency characteristics, the standard image for detecting the transmission characteristics of the crystalline lens stored in the inspection image storage means (not shown) is displayed on the display means 104 (S403).
When the transmission characteristic of the lens deteriorates, the color discrimination in the vicinity of blue and yellow decreases, so that the image for detecting the transmission characteristic of the lens includes blue and black (gray) and yellow and white (gray). Is displayed on the screen to check whether discrimination is possible. This display confirms whether or not the user has identified the display image (S404). If the display image cannot be identified, the detection image is updated, that is, the black portion is sequentially reduced in blue and black, and white in yellow and white. The part is grayed and its density is sequentially increased (S407). This processing is repeated to detect the lens transmission characteristics of the user, and transfer the detected spatial frequency characteristics and the lens transmission characteristics to the image data correction unit 103 (S405).

Next, even if various corrections are made as described above, depending on the user (or if the health condition of the user changes), further image correction may be required. This image correction includes contrast adjustment (adjustment of spatial frequency characteristics,
Focus adjustment capability (expressed as a value that depends on the reciprocal of the degree of blur when a certain image is viewed)], and color adjustment (spectral characteristics: when a specific color is difficult to see, indicate the hardly visible color) .

That is, when detecting the visual characteristic, the image for detecting the spatial frequency characteristic shows only a stepwise spatial frequency. Therefore, the user wants to select an intermediate point between a certain spatial frequency and the next spatial frequency. However, the selection cannot be performed by the visual characteristic detecting means 107. Therefore, for example, the user performs a predetermined operation (by turning a knob or operating a key) from the operation panel while displaying the spatial frequency selected at the time of detecting the visual characteristics, to thereby obtain the spatial frequency that is suitable for the user. Is selected. The visibility of certain images is also affected by the ability to adjust focus. In this case, it is easiest to adjust the focus with spectacles, for example reading glasses. In the color arrangement adjustment, if a color that is difficult to see is designated here, the color adjustment is taken in the color to be changed in the color adjustment in the image data correction processing described below.

Using the parameters input as described above, the image data correction means 103 performs the following image data correction processing. That is, FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of the image data correction processing by the image data correction unit 103. First, the deterioration of the spatial frequency characteristic is corrected by enhancing the image edges (S30).
1). Next, the deterioration of the short wavelength sensitivity due to the yellowing of the crystalline lens is corrected by a color adjustment process (S302). Also, the darkening of the image due to the deterioration of the transmission characteristics of the crystalline lens is corrected by adjusting the brightness.

There are several methods for enhancing the edge of the image. Here, an example using a zero-crossing method combining smoothing by a Gaussian distribution function and Laplacian will be described. Equation 1 represents the edge enhancement function.
When G (x, y) used in Equation 1 is expressed by Equation 2, an operator for emphasizing an edge is given by Equation 3. In Expression 3, by changing the value of σ, it is possible to selectively emphasize from a rough edge to a fine edge, that is, from a low spatial frequency to a high spatial frequency.

[0023]

(Equation 1)

[0024]

(Equation 2)

[0025]

(Equation 3)

Therefore, the value of σ is obtained from the visual characteristic data (spatial frequency characteristic) obtained from the visual characteristic data storage means 102, the age sent from the user condition input means 105, and the age sent from the environmental condition detecting means 106. It is determined based on the received illuminance and the image correction instruction sent from the image correction instruction input means 108, and performs edge enhancement processing.
If there is a spatial frequency characteristic transferred from the visual characteristic detecting unit 107 (including a case where the spatial frequency characteristic is adjusted by the image correction instruction input unit), the spatial frequency characteristic obtained from the visual characteristic data storing unit 102 is used instead. , Using the input spatial frequency characteristics.

For example, 1c from a distance of 57.3 cm
m is defined as the contrast sensitivity (expressed by the following cut-off frequency or visual acuity), and the cut-off frequency is 60 cpd (cpd: cycle per degree). ) Is defined as visual acuity 2.0. Further, the cutoff frequency and the visual acuity are in a proportional relationship, and the cutoff frequency 30 cpd is assumed to be visual acuity 1.0, and the cutoff frequency 15 cpd is assumed to be visual acuity 0.5.

Here, assuming that σ is Fc for the cutoff frequency and N is the number of bright and dark stripes within a unit length (for example, 1 cm), the following approximate relationship is established.

[0029]

(Equation 4)

Therefore, σ is as follows.

[0031]

(Equation 5)

When σ is calculated from this equation, the result is as shown in Table 2.

[0033]

[Table 2]

In the above Table 2, σ decreases as the illuminance increases, and it is possible to identify even small parts. In the present embodiment, the zero crossing method is used for the edge enhancement processing. However, similar effects can be obtained by using other enhancement means such as enhancement using only Laplacian.

Next, correction processing (color adjustment) corresponding to the yellowing of the crystalline lens will be described. There are several methods for adjusting the color. Here, an example using a color adjustment method using a deformation of a color space will be described. ("Color Adjustment Method Using Color Space Deformation", Jun Ikeda et al., Matsushita Electric, 1995
In this method, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-287239, a color to be changed and a color after the change (or a color that is not desired to be changed) are specified, and the conditions are specified. In this method, the color space is transformed by using the boundary conditions to adjust the color. In addition, the PRISM method ("Fast color processor with programmable inter
polation by small memory (PRISM) ", Katsuhiro Kanamori et al., Matsushita Giken, Journal of Electronic Imaging July 1993)
By using a high-speed color conversion processor using, color adjustment of NTSC video can be performed in real time.

That is, the visual characteristic data storage means 102
Characteristics data (lens transmission characteristics) sent from
, The age sent from the user condition input means 105, the light primary color sent from the environmental condition detecting means 106, and the color to be changed based on the image correction instruction sent from the image correction instruction input means 108 ( The color after the change to the (short wavelength region) is determined, and the color is adjusted. If there is a lens transmission characteristic newly input from the visual characteristic detecting means 107, the input lens transmission characteristic is used instead of the lens transmission characteristic from the visual characteristic data storage means 102.

In the present embodiment, the color adjustment method using the deformation of the color space is used for the color adjustment processing. However, the same applies when other adjustment means such as color adjustment by extracting an area in the color space are used. The effect of is obtained.

There are several methods for correcting the luminance, but an example using the same method as the above color adjustment method will be described. In the above color adjustment, if only one color is selected and only the luminance component is adjusted, a result equivalent to performing the same adjustment for all colors distributed in the color space can be obtained. Therefore, the luminance can be adjusted by selecting an arbitrary color and adjusting the luminance.

That is, the visual characteristic data storage means 102
Characteristics data (lens transmission characteristics) sent from
And the age sent from the user condition input means 105, the illuminance sent from the environmental condition detection means 106,
The luminance is determined based on the lens transmission characteristics transmitted from the visual characteristic detection unit 107 and the image correction instruction transmitted from the image correction instruction input unit 108, and the luminance is adjusted by changing the luminance value of an arbitrary color. Perform

However, it is necessary to take into account the effect of unpleasant glare (a phenomenon in which when a light source having a high brightness exists in the visual field, it is dazzlingly unpleasant, and the brightness of the pleasant and unpleasant light source is inversely proportional to age). . In the present embodiment, the adjustment method using the deformation of the color space is used for the brightness adjustment process. However, other adjustment methods such as simply adjusting the brightness values of all colors in the color space (brightness, saturation, hue), etc. The same effect can be obtained by using the adjusting means.

The image data correcting means 1 is operated in the above procedure.
03, the image data sent from the image data storage unit 101 is corrected by the above-described processing based on the image correction instruction and the standard visual characteristic data, and is transferred to the display unit 104;
04 displays the transferred image data.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a display device for the elderly according to another embodiment of the present invention. The correction content storage unit 110 stores visual characteristic data (spatial frequency characteristics, lens transmission characteristics) corresponding to each user as correction contents, and the user identification unit 109 stores a user name, a user ID, and the like. The identified user is identified, the identified user information is converted into an identification ID, and the identification ID is transferred to the image data correction unit 103. The image data correction unit 103 reads the visual characteristic data from the visual characteristic data storage unit 102 if there is the corresponding identification ID on the correction content storage unit 110, and if not, the correction content stored in the correction content storage unit 110. The image data is corrected based on the visual characteristic data and the correction adjustment parameters, and is transferred to the display unit 104.

The image data correction means 103 sends the identification ID and the correction data to the correction content storage means 110, and the correction content storage means 110 stores the identification ID and the correction details. User condition input means 105, visual characteristic detection means 10
7, image correction instruction input means 108, image data storage means 101, visual characteristic data storage means 102, display means 10
The operation of No. 4 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Next, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the processing of the image data correcting means 103 in the present embodiment. The image data correcting means 103 is provided for the user identifying means 10
9 is transferred to the correction content storage unit 110 (S701). Next, the correction content storage means 11
The return information from 0 is received (S702), and it is determined whether or not the correction content storage unit 110 has the correction content corresponding to the matching identification ID (S703). If there are correction contents, the image data sent from the image data storage means 101 is corrected by the correction contents (S704), and the display means 1
04. If there is no correction content, the image is corrected based on the standard visual characteristic data of the visual characteristic storage unit 102 and the correction adjustment parameter as in the first embodiment (S
706), in parallel with this correction processing, the identification ID and the correction content are transferred to the correction content storage unit 110 (S705).
Remember.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the storage content search processing of the correction content storage means 110. Upon receiving the identification ID, the correction content storage unit 110 reads the identification ID from the first record from the storage content management table shown in FIG. 6 (S501). Input ID and read ID
Are compared (S502), and if they match, the correction contents are read from the record and transferred to the image data correction means 103 (S504). If they do not match, the identification ID is read from the next record until all records have been searched, and the comparison is repeated (S503N → S508N → S507 → S5).
02). Even if all records are searched, if there is no matching ID, the absence of a matching ID is transferred to the image data correcting unit 103 (S509). The storage content correction unit 110 updates the correction content if there is a corresponding identification ID, and newly stores the identification ID and correction content if there is no corresponding ID.

In the other embodiments, the environmental condition detecting means used in the first embodiment is omitted. However, it is not always necessary to omit the environmental condition detecting means. Needless to say, the environmental condition detecting means may be used together with the user identifying means. It is.

[0047]

According to the present invention, an image displayed on a display device such as an information device is corrected and displayed according to a user, an installation place, a correction instruction at the time of use, and the like, so that an image which is easy for a user, especially an elderly person, to see is displayed. There are effects that can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an image correction process.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of visual characteristic detection.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an image correction content search.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a correction content management table.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an image correction process according to another embodiment.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image data storage unit for storing image data, a visual characteristic data storage unit for storing standard visual characteristic data of a user, and a standard visual characteristic data stored in the visual characteristic data storage unit. A display device comprising: an image data correction unit that corrects image data stored in the image data storage unit; and a display unit that displays the corrected image data. And an image data correction unit for correcting image data stored in the image data storage unit based on parameters obtained from the individual condition input unit in addition to the standard visual characteristic data. A display device, characterized in that: 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the individual condition input means is a user condition input means for inputting a condition relating to a user's visual ability, and the user condition input from the user condition input means is represented by an image. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the data correction unit sets one parameter when correcting the image data. 3. An individual condition inputting means for detecting an environmental condition affecting visual ability, wherein the environmental condition detected by the environmental condition detecting means is detected by an image data correcting means. 3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display device is used as one parameter when correcting. 4. The visual condition detecting means for detecting a visual characteristic of a user, wherein the individual condition input means detects the visual characteristic detected by the visual characteristic detecting means when the image data correcting means corrects the image data. Claims 1-3 as one parameter
The display device according to any one of the above. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the individual condition input means is an image correction instruction input means for inputting an image correction instruction of a user, and the image data correction means inputs the image correction instruction content by the image data correction means to the image data. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one parameter is used as a parameter when correction is made. 6. A user identification means for identifying a user, and a correction content storage means for storing the content of correction added to the image data by the image data correction means, wherein the user identification means identifies the user. 6. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the image data is corrected based on the correction content stored in the correction content storage means corresponding to the user.