Notification system, shutter glasses, notification method

In one embodiment, there is provided a notification system. The system includes: a display apparatus; and one or more pairs of shutter glasses. The display apparatus includes: a display module configured to display a 3D picture; and a transmitter configured to transmit a control data to each of the pairs of shutter glasses, wherein the control data contains a shutter control data for controlling shutters of each of the pairs of shutter glasses. Each of the pairs of shutter glasses includes: a receiver configured to receive the control data containing shutter control data; a shutter controller configured to open and close the right eye shutter and the left eye shutter, based on the shutter control data; and a notification module configured to notify a warning when a specific period of time has elapsed after the receiver receives the control data.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-201383, filed on Sep. 8, 2010, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments described herein generally relates to a notification system, shutter glasses, and a notification method.

2. Description of the Related Art

Digital television apparatus technology with functionality for 3D picture display exists. The possibility is recognized of strain to the eyes of users when viewing 3D pictures for a long duration, and proposals for safety guidelines have been made, relating for example to the duration of 3D picture viewing, such as by the “3D Consortium”. Accordingly, notification to a user regarding the viewing time of 3D pictures during 3D picture viewing is desired.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a notification system comprising: a display apparatus; and one or more pairs of shutter glasses each comprising a right eye shutter and a left eye shutter. The display apparatus comprises: a display module configured to display a 3D picture, and a transmitter configured to transmit a control data to each of the pairs of shutter glasses, wherein the control data contains a shutter control data for controlling the right eye shutter and the left eye shutter of each of the pairs of shutter glasses. Each of the pairs of shutter glasses comprises: a receiver configured to receive the control data containing shutter control data; a shutter controller configured to open and close the right eye shutter and the left eye shutter, based on the shutter control data; and a notification module configured to provide a warning when a specific period of time has elapsed after the receiver receives the control data.

Explanation follows regarding an exemplary embodiment, with reference to the drawings.FIG. 1AandFIG. 1Bare diagrams showing examples of usage applications of a notification system according to an exemplary embodiment. The notification system according to the present exemplary embodiment includes, for example, a television set100and pairs of shutter glasses200to400.

The television set100has functionality for displaying pictures employed for 3D display. In order to display pictures with 3D display, the television set100transmits shutter control data (a shutter control signal) to the pairs of shutter glasses200to400to control opening and closing of the pairs of shutter glasses200to400. The television set100may also transmit time control data for setting a notification time for the pairs of shutter glasses200to400to notify a warning, and may also transmit time control data of notification times and identifiers associated with each of the individual pairs of shutter glasses200to400.

The pairs of shutter glasses200to400receive the shutter control data (shutter control signal) transmitted from the television set100, and open and close the right and left eye shutters (not shown in the drawings) based on the received control data. An example is illustrated inFIG. 1with 3 pairs of the pairs of shutter glasses, however the number of pairs of shutter glasses are not limited thereto, and one or more pairs of shutter glasses may be employed. The pairs of shutter glasses200to400have functionality for performing notification at a point in time after a specific time period has elapsed from the start time of use of the respective pairs of shutter glasses, such as by vibration, audio output or shutter operation. Accordingly, notification can be made at an appropriate time for the users of the respective pairs of shutter glasses, and details of this aspect follow with reference toFIG. 2toFIG. 6.

FIG. 2is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of the television set100and the pair of shutter glasses200. Note that since the configuration of the pairs of shutter glasses300and400is similar to that of the pair of shutter glasses200further explanation is omitted.

Explanation now follows regarding the system configuration of the television set100. The television set100includes a tuner101, an ODD102, a picture receiver103, a decoder104, an OSD processor105, a display processor106, a display107, an user operation receiver108, a GUI processor109, a notification time processor110, and a transmitter111.

The tuner101has functionality for receiving a television broadcast signal and demodulating picture data contained in the television broadcast signal. The tuner101outputs the demodulated picture data to the picture receiver103. The ODD102has functionality for reading in picture data stored on an optical disk and outputting the data to the picture receiver103.

2D or 3D picture data is input to the picture receiver103. Examples of data formats for 3D picture data input to the picture receiver103include, for example, Side-by-Side format, Top-and-Bottom format, Frame-Packing format. The picture receiver103outputs the input 2D or 3D picture data to the decoder104. The decoder104then decodes the picture data and outputs frame data of the decoded picture to the OSD processor105.

The OSD processor105has functionality for superimposing an image on frames of decoded picture. The OSD processor105superimposes image data, such as a notification setting screen input from the GUI processor109, on the frame data. The OSD processor105superimposes a different size of image according to whether the picture for display on the television set100is for 2D display or 3D display. For example, when the frame data input from the decoder104for the right eye image and left eye image is 1 frame stored in Side-by-Side format or Top-and-Bottom format, the OSD processor105shrinks the size of GUI to a sized corresponding to the picture format, and superimposes the shrunk GUI on both images, the right eye image and the left eye image. The OSD processor105outputs an image of the superimposed frame data to the display processor106. When no image for superimposing has been input, the OSD processor105outputs frame data input from the decoder104to the display processor106without superimposing an image on the frame data.

The display processor106converts frame data input from the OSD processor105into a picture signal for display apparatus use and outputs the signal to the display107. When the television set100is to display a 3D picture, the display processor106separates out the right eye images and the left eye images contained in the frame data input from the OSD processor105, and alternately outputs the separated right eye images and left eye images to the display107. When this is being performed, the display processor106also outputs a synchronization signal to the transmitter111expressing whether the image currently being output to the display107is a right eye image or a left eye image.

The display107displays a picture according to the picture signal input from the display processor106. Namely, the display107displays a picture of 2D or 3D picture data, such as picture data input from the tuner101or the ODD102, and a picture of a screen generated by the GUI processor109.

The user operation receiver108receives operational input from a user. The user operation receiver108receives operational input that has been input, for example, through a remote controller or pointing device (not shown). The user operation receiver108receives operational input such as for setting the notification time on a notification setting screen (described later), or operational input for instructing 3D picture display to display a 3D picture on the television set100.

The GUI processor109has functionality for generating GUI for display on the display107, and functionality for processing operational input on the GUI. The GUI processor109generates GUI, for example, a notification setting screen. The notification setting screen is a screen that sets times at which the pairs of shutter glasses are to notify warnings. The notification setting screen can set times for notification of warning individually for each pair of the shutter glasses. Explanation follows regarding details of the notification setting screen, with reference toFIG. 3.

When the GUI processor109receives an operational input to the notification setting screen from the user operation receiver108, the GUI processor109outputs an instruction based on the operational input to the notification time processor110. For example, when the GUI processor109receives an operation for collectively setting a notification time on the all the pairs of shutter glasses, the GUI processor109outputs the set notification time to the notification time processor110.

However, when the GUI processor109receives an operation for setting notification times individually for each pair of the shutter glasses, the GUI processor109outputs to the notification time processor110the set notification times for each respective pair of the shutter glasses together with association data indicating which of the respective notification times corresponds to which of the pairs of shutter glasses.

The notification time processor110has functionality for processing the notification time(s) input from the GUI processor109and the association data indicating which of the notification times corresponds to which of the pairs of shutter glasses. The notification time processor110stores the input notification times. When the notification time processor110receives the notification times and the association data, the notification time processor110associates and stores the notification times with respective identifiers for the pairs of shutter glasses to be set with the notification times.

The notification time processor110then outputs the stored notification times to the transmitter111, and also instructs the transmitter111to generate time control data for setting the notification time in the pairs of shutter glasses. When the notification times are stored with associated identifiers, the notification time processor110outputs to the transmitter111the notification times and the identifiers corresponding to the notification times, together with an instruction for generating time control data in which the notification times are associated with the identifiers.

When the transmitter111receives the synchronization signal from the display processor106, the transmitter111has functionality for transmitting shutter control data based on a synchronization signal such as by infrared communication or wireless communication. Any instruction for shutter control may be employed, such as with shutter control data for instruction of shutter control in command format, or an instruction for shutter control by ON/OFF switching of a signal transmitted from the transmitter111.

The transmitter111has functionality for generating time control data according the instruction of the notification time processor110, and functionality for transmitting the generated time control data. The transmitter111also has functionality for generating data for use in shutter control based on the input synchronization signal, and transmitting this data incorporated into the time control data. Explanation follows later regarding time control data structure generated and transmitted by the transmitter111, with reference toFIG. 4.

Explanation now continues regarding a system configuration of the pair of shutter glasses200. The pair of shutter glasses200include a receiver201, a shutter controller202, shutters203, a notification controller204, a vibration generator205, and a sound output module206.

The receiver201receives shutter control data transmitted from the television set100. The receiver201also receives time control data when time control data is transmitted from the television set100.

The receiver201outputs the received shutter control data to the shutter controller202and the notification controller204. The receiver201outputs the time control data to the notification controller204.

The shutter controller202outputs open and close instructions to the shutters203based on the shutter control data received from the receiver201. The shutters203include a right eye shutter and a left eye shutter, and the right eye shutter and the left eye shutter are opened and closed based on the open and close instruction received from the shutter controller202. Alternatively, the shutters203may close a shutter when receiving a close instruction from the shutters203and may open a shutter when not receiving any instruction.

When the shutter controller202receives a warning notification instruction from the notification controller204, the shutter controller202instructs the shutters203to perform different operation compared with operation prior to the warning notification instruction. Namely, when the shutter controller202receives a warning notification instruction, the shutters203may, for example, be instructed to operated so as to close or to open both the right eye shutter and the left eye shutter together, or when the shutters203are capable of displaying character and/or image, instruction may be made to the shutters203to display characters or an image of a warning notification.

The notification controller204executes processing relating to notification of a warning relating to 3D picture viewing time. In order to notifying a warning the notification controller204outputs a notification output instruction such as to the shutter controller202, the vibration generator205, and/or the sound output module206. Explanation regarding processing relating to warning notification is given later with reference toFIG. 4toFIG. 6.

The vibration generator205generates vibration when receiving a notification output instruction from the notification controller204. The vibration generator205notifies a warning to a user by such vibration. The sound output module206has functionality for outputting a warning sound according to a notification output instruction from the notification controller204.

Explanation now follows regarding a screen example for a notification setting screen for generation by the GUI processor109, with reference toFIG. 3AandFIG. 3B. A notification setting screen30shown inFIG. 3Ais an example of a screen for display on the television set100when setting the time until notifying a warning as the same length of time for each of the respective pairs of shutter glasses included in the notification system of the present exemplary embodiment. In the notification setting screen30the currently selected notification time31is shown together with guidance urging setting of the notification time for warning.

A notification setting screen32shown inFIG. 3Bis an example of a screen displayed by the television set100when setting periods of time until notifying a warning individually for each of plural pairs of the shutter glasses included in the notification system of the present exemplary embodiment. The notification setting screen32displays currently set notification times33to35for each pair of the shutter glasses. A cursor36for changing which of the pairs of shutter glasses is subject to setting is also displayed.

When operational input made to the notification setting screen30or32is received by the user operation receiver108, the GUI processor109processes the operational input and outputs to the notification time processor110the notification time and association data according to the operational input.

Explanation now follows regarding an example of a data structure of time control data for transmitting by the transmitter111, with reference toFIG. 4AtoFIG. 4D.FIG. 4Ais an example of a data structure of time control data40for setting the same notification time for one or more pair of shutter glasses. The time control data40includes a notification time41related to the period of time until notifying a warning. When the pair of shutter glasses200receives the time control data40, the pair of shutter glasses200sets the period of time expressed by the notification time41included in the time control data40as the notification time.

FIG. 4Bis an example of a data structure of time control data42for setting the notification time individual for each of plural pairs of shutter glasses. The time control data42includes an identifier43and a notification time44. The identifier43is an identifier for discriminating between the pairs of shutter glasses200to400included in the notification system, and the time control data42is stored with the respective identifiers43and respective notification times44associated with each other. When the pair of shutter glasses200receives the time control data42, the pair of shutter glasses200extracts the notification time44associated with its own identifier43and sets the notification time expressed by the extracted notification time44as its own notification time.

FIG. 4Cis an example of a data structure of control data45for transmitting shutter control data together with data for setting the notification time to the pairs of shutter glasses. The control data45includes right eye shutter control data46for controlling opening and closing of the right eye shutter, left eye shutter control data47for controlling opening and closing of the left eye shutter, and a notification time48.FIG. 4Dis an example of a data structure of control data49for transmitting data for individually setting the respective notification times to plural pairs of the shutter glasses together with shutter control data. The control data49includes right eye shutter control data50, left eye shutter control data51, identifiers52, and notification times53. The identifiers52and the notification times53are associated with each other and stored in the control data49.

Explanation now follows regarding an example of processing flow related to 3D picture display by the television set100, with reference toFIG. 5. Firstly, the television set100displays a notification setting screen (S501). The television set100displays the notification setting screen when, for example, operational input instructing notification setting screen display has been provided to the user operation receiver108from an operational input device, such as a remote controller. When the television set receives operational input to the notification setting screen (S502), the television set100stores the period of time corresponding to the operational input as the notification time. At S502, when the television set100receives an operation for setting notification times individual for each of plural pairs of the shutter glasses, the television set100associates and stores the data of the notification times with the identifiers of the pairs of shatter glasses.

When receiving operational input instructing 3D picture display (S503: Yes), the television set100then starts 3D picture display (S504). The television set100displays the 3D picture while transmitting shutter control data for controlling opening and closing of the shutters of the pairs of shutter glasses200to400(S505). The television set100then transmits time control data based on the stored notification time(s) (S506). When notification times and identifiers of pairs of shutter glasses have been stored associated with each other, the television set100transmits the time control data of the associated notification times and identifiers.

While explanation in S505to S506is of separate processing for transmitting shutter control data and transmitting time control data, there is no limitation thereto. For example, as shown inFIG. 4CandFIG. 4D, configuration may be made such that transmission is made of control data including data for shutter control and data for notification time control as a single command. Alternatively, configuration may be made such that the television set100transmits shutter control data and time control data separately, with time control data transmitted every fixed interval of time, say every one second or every 10 seconds. Namely, as long as the control data transmitted by the television set100includes shutter control data and time control data, the time at which the shutter control data is transmitted and the time at which the time control data is transmitted may be different from each other.

Explanation now follows regarding an example of processing flow related to notification time notification by the pair of shutter glasses200, with reference toFIG. 6. When shutter control data is received (S601), the pair of shutter glasses200first determines whether or not time control data has been received (S602). When time control data has been received (S602: Yes), the notification controller204determines whether or not a device identifier is included, for identifying the pair of shutter glasses corresponding to the received time control data (S603). However, when time control data has not been received (S602: No), the notification controller204executes processing of S608.

When an identifier is included (S603: Yes), the notification controller204extracts the notification time corresponding to its own device identifier from the identifiers included in the time control data (S604). However, when an identifier is not included (S603: No), the notification controller204extracts the single notification time included in the time control data (S605).

The notification controller204then determines whether or not the period of time expressed by the extracted notification time matches the period of time set already in its own device (S606). When these period of time differ (S606: Yes), the notification controller204sets the period of time specified in the extracted notification time as the notification time of its own device (S607). However, when the extracted period of time and the period of time already set in its own device are the same as each other (S606: No), the notification controller204executes processing of S608.

The notification controller204then determines whether or not counting is currently being performed (S608). When not currently counting (S608: No), the notification controller204starts counting (S609), and executes processing of S610. However, when currently counting (S608: Yes), the notification controller204executes processing of S610without starting counting.

The notification controller204then increments a count value (S610). The notification controller204increments the count every fixed interval of time. Namely, the count is incremented say every second or every minute. The notification controller204then determines whether or not the count value is the same as or greater than the set notification time (S611). Note that the set notification time is either the notification time that has been set at S607, or a notification time that has been preset in the device itself.

At the processing of S611, when the count value is less than the set notification time (S611: No), the notification controller204then determines whether or not a state without receipt of shutter control data is maintained for a specific time period (S612). When shutter control data has not been received for the specific time period (S612: Yes), the notification controller204stops the counter (S614). However, when a state without receipt of shutter control data is not maintained for the specific time period (S612: No) the notification controller204re-executes processing of S610and increments the count.

At the processing of S612, the pair of shutter glasses200can determine the direction of the head of a user. When the pair of shutter glasses200are receiving shutter control data by, for example, infrared communication, the pair of shutter glasses200are not capable of receiving a control signal when angled at more than a specific angle with respect to the television set100. Namely, determination can be made of the direction of the head of the user wearing the pair of shutter glasses200, namely whether or not the user is watching picture on the television set100, by the reception state of the control signal.

When the count value at S611is the set value or greater (S611: Yes), the notification controller204notifies a warning (S613). When doing so the notification controller204notifies a warning by performing processing to execute one or more actions from, for example: outputting a warning notification instruction to the vibration generator205causing the vibration generator205to vibrate; outputting a warning notification instruction to the audio output module206causing the audio output module206to output a warning sound; and/or outputting an instruction to the shutter controller202to the shutters203. Note that generation of vibration or sound are merely examples of performing notification, and in order to notify a warning, a user may be notified by the pair of shutter glasses200executing any processing that differs from the processing being executed prior to warning notification.

The notification controller204stops the counter at S614. The notification controller204then resets the value of the counter (S615), and processing flow relating to warning notification by the pair of shutter glasses200is thereby completed.

According to the current processing flow, the pair of shutter glasses200can notify a warning when a specific period of time has elapsed from receiving shutter control data and time control data, according to when control data such as the shutter control data or the time control data is received and the notification time included in the received time control data. Accordingly, for example, when plural users are wearing pairs of the shutter glasses and watching the television set100, and the times at which the users started watching differ from each other, notification can be made to at an appropriate time for each of the respective users.

While explanation has been given in the above processing flow of separate processing for shutter control data receipt and time control data receipt, configuration may be made such that the pair of shutter glasses200receives data, such as the examples inFIG. 4CandFIG. 4D, including both control data for controlling the pairs of shutter glasses, and data of notification times.

At S602of the above flow, the pair of shutter glasses200execute processing of S608when time control data has not been received, however configuration may be made such that processing of S608is executed when, for example, time control data has not been received after a specific time period of time has elapsed since shutter control data has been received.

In processing of S612, the pair of shutter glasses200determines whether or not a state of no shutter control data receipt is maintained for a specific time period, however configuration may be made such that, for example, the pair of shutter glasses200detect the angle of the pair of shutter glasses200with respect to the television set100, and determines whether or not a state in which the detected angle is a specific angle or greater with respect to the television set100is maintained for a specific time period.

The television set100need not necessarily transmit time control data, and the pair of shutter glasses200need not necessarily receive time control data. Namely, for cases where the pair of shutter glasses200do not receive time control data, warning notification may be performed based on a set value of notification time than has been preset in the device itself In such cases, the pair of shutter glasses200receive the shutter control data and start counting when open and close operation of the shutters commences, and performs warning notification when the count value is the set value or greater, namely when a specific time period has elapsed since receiving the shutter control data and commencing shutter open and close operation.

According to the above exemplary embodiment, the notification system can give warning notification at an appropriate time for a user according to the time the user started using the pair of shutter glasses. Note that there is no limitation to the above exemplary embodiments, and during implementation modifications can be made to the configuration elements within a scope not departing from the spirit. Various levels of invention can be configured by appropriate combinations of the plural configuration elements described in the exemplary embodiments. For example, one or more of the configuration elements may be removed from out of the total configuration elements shown in the exemplary embodiments.