# US 9,437,162 B2 · Image output apparatus, control method therefor, image display apparatus, control method therefor, and storage medium > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,437,162 B2 - Document ID: US9437162B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/689,963 - Filed: 2012-11-30 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-06 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Shunsuke Ikenishi; Joji Kamahara - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9437162B2 ## CPC - G09G 5/10: Intensity circuits - G09G 3/342: {using several illumination sources separately controlled corresponding to different display panel areas, e.g. along one dimension such as lines} - G09G 3/3426: {the different display panel areas being distributed in two dimensions, e.g. matrix} - G09G 2320/0646: Modulation of illumination source brightness and image signal correlated to each other - G09G 2360/04: Display device controller operating with a plurality of display units - G09G 2380/08: Biomedical applications - G09G: ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION (arrangements for transferring data between digital computers and displays G06F3/14; static indicating arrangements comprising an association of a number of separate sources or light control cells G09F9/00; static indicating arrangements comprising integral associations of a number of light sources H01J, H01K, H10H, H05B33/12; scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission, details thereof H04N1/00) ## Abstract Disclosed is an image output apparatus that outputs a plurality of image data to one or a plurality of image display apparatuses capable of controlling amounts of light of backlights, the image output apparatus including: a determining unit configured to determine whether the plurality of image data satisfy a predetermined condition; and a controlling unit configured to control, when the determining unit determines that the plurality of image data satisfy the predetermined condition, the one or the plurality of image display apparatuses such that either or both of amounts of light and number of light emission control units of the backlights used for display of the plurality of image data are the same. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image output apparatus that outputs first image data to a first image display apparatus and second image data to a second image display apparatus, each of the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus being capable of controlling amount of light of a backlight thereof, the image output apparatus comprising: a storage that stores the first image data and the second image data; and a processor configured: to determine whether the first image data and the second image data stored in the storage satisfy a predetermined condition; to control, in a case where the first image data and the second image data satisfy the predetermined condition, the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus such that the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus are the same in amount of light of light emission control of the backlight used for display of the first image data and the second image data by the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus even if the first image data and the second image data are different from each other; and to control, in a case where the first image data and the second image data do not satisfy the predetermined condition, the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus such that the respective amounts of light of the backlights thereof used for display of the first image data and the second image data by the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus are adjusted based on respective signal levels of the first image data and the second image data. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in a case where the first image data and the second image data satisfy the predetermined condition, the processor inquires a user whether the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus are to be controlled such that the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus are the same in the amount of light of the light emission control of the backlight used for the display of the first image data and the second image data by the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus and, in a case where the user replies that the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus are to be controlled in said manner, the processor controls the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus such that the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus are the same in the amount of light of the light emission control of the backlight used for the display of the first image data and the second image data by the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in a case where the first image data and the second image data are the same in at least any of patient names, capturing regions, and modalities thereof, the processor determines that the first image data and the second image data satisfy the predetermined condition. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus can set a part of a display region of an image as a region of interest, and the processor acquires information on the region of interest from each of the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus and, in a case where a degree of overlap of projections of regions of interest obtained as display regions of the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus are projected on a common coordinate plane is equal to or larger than a threshold, the processor determines that the first image data and the second image data satisfy the predetermined condition. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor acquires a peak signal level of each of the first image data and the second image data, wherein in a case where the processor determines that the first image data and the second image data satisfy the predetermined condition, the processor sets, as a common peak signal level, a highest peak signal level among peak signal levels of the first image data and the second image data or an average of the peak signal levels of the first image data and the second image data and transmits the common peak signal level to the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus as common information for determining amounts of light of the backlights used for the display of the first image data and the second image data by the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The image output apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, in a case where local dimming control for independently controlling an amount of light of each of a plurality of control regions is possible for each of the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus, the processor acquires, for each of the control regions, peak signal levels of the first image data and the second image data, and in a case where the first image data and the second image data satisfy the predetermined condition, the processor sets, for each of the control regions, a highest peak signal level among the peak signal levels of the first image data and the second image data or an average of the peak signal levels of the first image data and the second image data as a common peak signal level, and transmits the common peak signal level for each of the control regions to the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus as common information for determining amounts of light of the backlights used for the display of the first image data and the second image data by the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor acquires information on the numbers of units of the light emission control of the backlights of the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus, wherein in a case where the first image data and the second image data satisfy the predetermined condition, the processor controls the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus such that the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus are the same in unit of control of the backlight used for the display of the first image data and the second image data by the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus by using, as a reference, a minimum number of units of the light emission control among the numbers of units of the light emission control of the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor acquires information on the numbers of units of the light emission control of the backlights of the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus, wherein in a case where the first image data and the second image data satisfy the predetermined condition, the processor controls the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus such that the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus are the same in unit of control of the backlight used for the display of the first image data and the second image data by the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus by using, as a reference, a greatest common divisor of the numbers of units of the light emission control of the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus. ### Claim 9 An image display apparatus capable of controlling an amount of light of a backlight, the image display apparatus including a processor programmed to function as a device that comprises: an acquiring unit configured to acquire information on first image data input to the image display apparatus and second image data input to another image display apparatus; a determining unit configured to determine, on the basis of the information acquired by the acquiring unit, whether the first image data and the second image data satisfy a predetermined condition; and a controlling unit configured: to control, in a case where the determining unit determines that the first image data and the second image data satisfy the predetermined condition, the image display apparatus and the other image display apparatus such that the image display apparatus and the other image display apparatus are the same in amount of light emission control of the backlight used for display of the first image data and the second image data by the image display apparatus and the other image display apparatus even if the first image data and the second image data are different from each other; and to control, in a case where the determining unit determines that the first image data and the second image data do not satisfy the predetermined condition, the image display apparatus and the other image display apparatus such that the respective amounts of light of the backlights thereof used for display of the first image data and the second image data by the image display apparatus and the other image display apparatus are adjusted based on respective signal levels of the first image data and the second image data. ### Claim 10 A control method for an image output apparatus that outputs first image data to a first image display apparatus and second image data to a second image display apparatus, respectively, each of the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus being capable of controlling amount of light of a backlight thereof, the control method comprising the following steps executed by a processor: a step of determining whether the first image data and the second image data satisfy a predetermined condition; a step of controlling, in a case where it is determined in the determining step that the first image data and the second image data satisfy the predetermined condition, the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus such that the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus are the same in amount of light emission control of the backlight used for display of the first image data and the second image data by the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus even if the first image data and the second image data are different from each other; and a step of controlling, in a case where it is determined in the determining step that the first image data and the second image data do not satisfy the predetermined condition, the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus such that the respective amounts of light of the backlights thereof used for display of the first image data and the second image data by the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus are adjusted based on respective signal levels of the first image data and the second image data. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The control method for an image output apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the controlling step includes, in a case where it is determined in the determining step that the first image data and the second image data satisfy the predetermined condition, inquiring of a user whether the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus are to be controlled such that the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus are the same in the amount of light of light emission control of the backlight used for the display of the first image data and the second image data by the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus and, in a case where the user replies that the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus are to be controlled in said manner, controlling the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus such that the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus are the same in the amount of light emission control of the backlight used for the display of the first image data and the second image data by the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The control method for an image output apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the determining step includes determining that the first image data and the second image data satisfy the predetermined condition in a case where the first image data and the second image data are the same in at least any of patient names, capturing regions, and modalities thereof. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The control method for an image output apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each of the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus can set a part of a display region of an image as a region of interest, and the determining step includes acquiring information on the region of interest from each of the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus and determining that the first image data and the second image data satisfy the predetermined condition in a case where a degree of overlap of projections of regions of interest obtained as display regions of the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus are projected on a common coordinate plane is equal to or larger than a threshold. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The control method for an image output apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising an acquiring step of acquiring a peak signal level of each of the first image data and the second image data, wherein the controlling step includes setting, in a case where it is determined in the determining step that the first image data and the second image data satisfy the predetermined condition, as a common peak signal level, a highest peak signal level among peak signal levels of the first image data and the second image data or an average of the peak signal levels of the first image data and the second image data and transmitting the common peak signal level to the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus as common information for determining amounts of light of the backlights used for the display of the first image data and the second image data by the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The control method for an image output apparatus according to claim 14, wherein, in a case where local dimming control for independently controlling an amount of light of each of a plurality of control regions is possible for each of the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus, the acquiring step includes acquiring, for each of the control regions, peak signal levels of the first image data and the second image data, and the controlling step includes setting, in a case where it is determined in the determining step that the first image data and the second image data satisfy the predetermined condition, for each of the control regions, a highest peak signal level among the peak signal levels of the first image data and the second image data or an average of the peak signal levels of the first image data and the second image data as a common peak signal level, and transmitting the common peak signal level for each of the control regions to the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus as common information for determining amounts of light of the backlights used for the display of the first image data and the second image data by the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The control method for an image output apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising an acquiring step of acquiring information on the numbers of units of the light emission control of the backlights of the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus, wherein the controlling step includes controlling, in a case where it is determined in the determining step that the first image data and the second image data satisfy the predetermined condition, the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus such that the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus are the same in unit of control of the backlight used for the display of the first image data and the second image data by the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus by using, as a reference, a minimum number of units of the light emission control among the numbers of units of the light emission control of the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The control method for an image output apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising an acquiring step of acquiring information on the numbers of units of the light emission control of the backlights of the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus, wherein the controlling step includes controlling, in a case where it is determined in the determining step that the first image data and the second image data satisfy the predetermined condition, the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus such that the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus are the same in unit of control of the backlight used for the display of the first image data and the second image data by the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus by using, as a reference, a greatest common divisor of the numbers of units of the light emission control of the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus. ### Claim 18 A control method for an image display apparatus capable of controlling an amount of light of a backlight, the control method comprising the following steps executed by a processor: a step of acquiring information on first image data input to the image display apparatus and second image data input to another image display apparatus; a step of determining, on the basis of the information acquired in the acquiring step, whether the first image data and the second image data satisfy a predetermined condition; a step of controlling, in a case where it is determined in the determining step that the first image data and the second image data satisfy the predetermined condition, the image display apparatus and the other image display apparatus such that the image display apparatus and the other image display apparatus are the same in amount of light of light emission control of the backlight used for display of the first image data and the second image data by the image display apparatus and the other image display apparatus even if the first image data and the second image data are different from each other; and a step of controlling, in a case where it is determined in the determining step that the first image data and the second image data do not satisfy the predetermined condition, the image display apparatus and the other image display apparatus such that the respective amounts of light of the backlights thereof used for display of the first image data and the second image data by the image display apparatus and the other image display apparatus are adjusted based on respective signal levels of the first image data and the second image data. ### Claim 19 A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein a computer program for causing a computer to execute the steps of the control method for an image output apparatus that outputs first image data to a first image display apparatus and second image data to a second image display apparatus, each of the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus being capable of controlling amount of light of a backlight thereof, the control method comprising the following steps executed by the computer of the image output apparatus: a step of determining whether the first image data and the second image data satisfy a predetermined condition; a step of controlling, in a case where it is determined in the determining step that the first image data and the second image data satisfy the predetermined condition, the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus such that the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus are the same in amount of light emission control of the backlight used for display of the first image data and the second image data by the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus even if the first image data and the second image data are different from each other; and a step of controlling, in a case where it is determined in the determining step that the first image data and the second image data do not satisfy the predetermined condition, the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus such that the respective amounts of light of the backlights thereof used for display of the first image data and the second image data by the first image display apparatus and the second image display apparatus are adjusted based on respective signal levels of the first image data and the second image data. ### Claim 20 A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein a computer program for causing a computer to execute the steps of the control method for an image display apparatus capable of controlling an amount of light of a backlight, the control method comprising the following steps executed by the computer of the image display apparatus: a step of acquiring information on first image data input to the image display apparatus and second image data input to another image display apparatus; a step of determining, on the basis of the information acquired in the acquiring step, whether the first image data and the second image data satisfy a predetermined condition; a step of controlling, in a case where it is determined in the determining step that the first image data and the second image data satisfy the predetermined condition, the image display apparatus and the other image display apparatus such that the image display apparatus and the other image display apparatus are the same in amount of light emission control of the backlight used for display of the first image data and the second image data by the image display apparatus and the other image display apparatus even if the first image data and the second image data are different from each other; and a step of controlling, in a case where it is determined in the determining step that the first image data and the second image data do not satisfy the predetermined condition, the image display apparatus and the other image display apparatus such that the respective amounts of light of the backlights thereof used for display of the first image data and the second image data by the image display apparatus and the other image display apparatus are adjusted based on respective signal levels of the first image data and the second image data.