U.S. patent number RE48,782 [Application Number 16/705,679] was granted by the patent office on 2021-10-19 for multimedia device having flexible display and controlling method thereof.
This patent grant is currently assigned to LG ELECTRONICS INC.. The grantee listed for this patent is LG ELECTRONICS INC.. Invention is credited to Dongwon Choi, Sunjung Hwang, Namhun Kim, Junghoon Park.
United States Patent |
RE48,782 |
Park , et al. |
October 19, 2021 |
Multimedia device having flexible display and controlling method
thereof
Abstract
Disclosed are a multimedia device including a flexible display
and controlling method thereof. The present invention includes a
guide bar, a flexible display configured to be rolled up on an
outer circumference of the guide bar, the flexible display having a
first region rolled up on the outer circumference of the guide bar
and a second region not rolled up on the outer circumference of the
guide bar, a receiving unit configured to receive a content and
metadata corresponding to the content from a source device, and a
control unit adjusting a vertical width of the second region of the
flexible display in accordance with a preset condition.
Inventors: |
Park; Junghoon (Pyeongtaek-si,
KR), Choi; Dongwon (Pyeongtaek-si, KR),
Kim; Namhun (Pyeongtaek-si, KR), Hwang; Sunjung
(Pyeongtaek-si, KR) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG ELECTRONICS INC. |
Seoul |
N/A |
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
LG ELECTRONICS INC. (Seoul,
KR)
|
Family
ID: |
52022427 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/705,679 |
Filed: |
December 6, 2019 |
PCT
Filed: |
September 10, 2013 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/KR2013/008153 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
December 02, 2015 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2014/200151 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
December 18, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
14895438 |
Sep 10, 2013 |
9860474 |
Jan 2, 2018 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jun 10, 2013 [KR] |
|
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10-2013-0065936 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F
1/1601 (20130101); H04N 7/0122 (20130101); H04N
21/4131 (20130101); G06F 3/013 (20130101); H04N
21/431 (20130101); G06F 3/017 (20130101); G06F
3/0304 (20130101); G09G 3/00 (20130101); H04N
5/64 (20130101); G09G 3/035 (20200801); G06F
3/0346 (20130101); H04N 21/4884 (20130101); H04N
21/426 (20130101); H04N 21/4858 (20130101); G06F
1/1652 (20130101); G06F 1/1605 (20130101); H04N
21/44218 (20130101); H04N 21/42201 (20130101); H04N
21/4886 (20130101); G09G 2340/0442 (20130101); H04N
21/4852 (20130101); G09G 2380/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04N
21/426 (20110101); H04N 5/64 (20060101); H04N
21/41 (20110101); H04N 21/422 (20110101); H04N
21/431 (20110101); H04N 21/442 (20110101); H04N
21/485 (20110101); H04N 21/488 (20110101); G09G
3/00 (20060101); G06F 3/0346 (20130101); G06F
3/03 (20060101); G06F 3/01 (20060101); G06F
1/16 (20060101); H04N 7/01 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1701349 |
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Nov 2005 |
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CN |
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101171621 |
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Apr 2008 |
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CN |
|
102956151 |
|
Mar 2013 |
|
CN |
|
2557558 |
|
Feb 2013 |
|
EP |
|
2565866 |
|
Mar 2013 |
|
EP |
|
6-237429 |
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Aug 1994 |
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JP |
|
06237429 |
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Aug 1994 |
|
JP |
|
10-2005-0118266 |
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Dec 2005 |
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KR |
|
10-2009-0030138 |
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Mar 2009 |
|
KR |
|
10-2010-0086207 |
|
Jul 2010 |
|
KR |
|
10-2010-0112694 |
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Oct 2010 |
|
KR |
|
10-2012-0013865 |
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Feb 2012 |
|
KR |
|
WO 2004/084171 |
|
Sep 2004 |
|
WO |
|
Primary Examiner: Carlson; Jeffrey D
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Birch, Stewart, Kolasch &
Birch, LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A multimedia device comprising: a guide bar; a flexible display
configured to be rolled up on an outer circumference of the guide
bar, the flexible display having a first region rolled up on the
outer circumference of the guide bar and a second region not rolled
up on the outer circumference of the guide bar; a receiver
configured to receive a content and metadata corresponding to the
content from a source device; and a control unit .[.adjusting.].
.Iadd.configured to adjust .Iaddend.a vertical width of the second
region of the flexible display in accordance with a preset
condition, wherein the control unit .[.extracts.]. .Iadd.is
configured to extract .Iaddend.an aspect ratio information from the
received metadata and .[.determines.]. .Iadd.determine .Iaddend.the
vertical width of the second region of the flexible display in
accordance with the extracted aspect ratio information, wherein the
multimedia device is configured to: display video data in the
received content on a first partitioned region of the second
region, and display caption data on a second partitioned region of
the second region if the caption data is included in the received
metadata, and display, in a standby mode, information received from
another indoor home device, a portable device or a mobile device on
the second partitioned region of the second region, and wherein
.[.the second partitioned region of the second region is not rolled
up on the outer circumference of the guide bar in the standby mode,
and.]. the .Iadd.vertical width of the .Iaddend.second region is
.[.minimized.]. .Iadd.made smaller .Iaddend.in the standby mode
.Iadd.such that only the second partitioned region of the second
region is not rolled up on the outer circumference of the guide
bar.Iaddend..
2. The multimedia device of claim 1, further comprising a storage
unit configured to store a function or lookup table for determining
the vertical width of the second region in accordance with an
aspect ratio of a screen within the second region of the flexible
display, wherein the control unit .[.detects.]. .Iadd.is configured
to detect .Iaddend.the function or a value in the lookup table by
accessing the storage unit and then .[.determines.].
.Iadd.determine .Iaddend.the vertical width of the second region of
the flexible display using the detected function or value in the
lookup table.
3. The multimedia device of claim 1, further comprising a user
interface configured to receive a command signal for selecting an
aspect ratio of a screen within the second region of the flexible
display, wherein the control unit .[.determines.]. .Iadd.is
configured to determine .Iaddend.the vertical width of the second
region of the flexible display in accordance with the received
command signal.
4. The multimedia device of claim 1, wherein the guide bar is
installed to enable a height adjustment.
5. The multimedia device of claim 4, further comprising a sensor
configured to sense a user's eye, wherein the control unit
.[.adjusts.]. .Iadd.is configured to adjust .Iaddend.a height of
the guide bar to enable the sensor and the user's eye to be
situated in parallel with each other on a same level.
.[.6. The multimedia device of claim 1, wherein a screen with the
second region of the flexible display comprises at least one of the
first partitioned region and the second partitioned region..].
7. The multimedia device of claim .[.6.]. .Iadd.1.Iaddend., wherein
if the caption data is included in the received metadata, the
control unit .[.controls.]. .Iadd.is configured to display
.Iaddend.the video data in the received content and the caption
data .[.to be displayed.]. on the first partitioned region and the
second partitioned region, respectively.
8. The multimedia device of claim .[.6.]. .Iadd.1.Iaddend., wherein
the receiver is configured to receive at least two contents.Iadd.,
.Iaddend.and wherein the control unit .[.controls.]. .Iadd.is
configured to display .Iaddend.video data of the at least two
contents .[.to be displayed.]. on the first partitioned region and
the second partitioned region, respectively.
9. A method of controlling a multimedia device, which includes a
control unit, a guide bar and a flexible display configured to be
rolled up on an outer circumference of the guide bar, the method
comprising: receiving a content and metadata corresponding to the
content from a source device; extracting, via the control unit, an
aspect ratio information from the received metadata; determining,
via the control unit, a vertical width of a region in the flexible
display not rolled up on the outer .[.circumstance.].
.Iadd.circumference .Iaddend.of the guide bar in accordance with
the extracted aspect ratio information; adjusting .[.an extent
of.]. the flexible display rolled up on the outer circumference of
the .[.flexible display.]. .Iadd.guide bar .Iaddend.in accordance
with the extracted aspect ratio information; displaying video data
in the received content on a first partitioned region of the region
in the flexible display, and displaying caption data on a second
partitioned region of the region in the flexible display not rolled
up on the outer .[.circumstance.]. .Iadd.circumference .Iaddend.of
the guide bar if the caption data is included in the received
metadata; and displaying, in a standby mode, information received
from another indoor home device, a portable device, or a mobile
device on the second partitioned region of the region in the
flexible display not rolled up on the outer .[.circumstance.].
.Iadd.circumference .Iaddend.of the guide bar, wherein the
.[.second partitioned region is not rolled up on the outer
circumference of the guide bar in the standby mode, and the region
in the flexible display not rolled up on the outer circumstance of
the guide bar is minimized in the standby mode.]. .Iadd.vertical
width of the region of the flexible display not rolled up on the
outer circumference of the guide bar is made smaller in the standby
mode such that only the second partitioned region of the region is
not rolled up on the outer circumference of the guide
bar.Iaddend..
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising saving a function or
lookup table for determining the vertical width of the region in
the flexible display not rolled up on the outer circumference of
the guide bar in accordance with an aspect ratio of a screen in the
flexible display in a storage unit.
11. The method of claim 10, the adjusting the extent of the
flexible display rolled up on the outer circumference of the
flexible display, comprising: detecting the function or a value in
the lookup table by accessing the storage unit; and determining the
vertical width of the region in the flexible display not rolled up
on the outer circumference of the guide bar using the detected
function or value in the lookup table.
12. The method of claim 9, further comprising: sensing a user's eye
using a sensor; and adjusting a height of the guide bar to enable
the sensor and the user's eye to be situated in parallel with each
other on a same level.
13. The method of claim 9, further comprising: detecting the
caption data from the received metadata; and if the caption data is
detected, controlling the video data of the received content and
the caption data to be displayed on the first partitioned region of
the region of the flexible display not rolled up on the outer
circumference of the guide bar and the second partitioned region of
the region of the flexible display not rolled up on the outer
circumference of the guide bar, respectively.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein at least two caption data are
detected from the received metadata.
15. A method of controlling a multimedia device, which includes a
control unit, a guide bar and a flexible display configured to be
rolled up on an outer circumference of the guide bar, the method
comprising: receiving a content and metadata corresponding to the
content from a source device; receiving a command signal for
selecting an aspect ratio of a screen in the flexible display;
extracting, via the control unit, an aspect ratio information from
the received metadata; determining, via the control unit, a
vertical width of a region in the flexible display not rolled up on
the outer .[.circumstance.]. .Iadd.circumference .Iaddend.of the
guide bar in accordance with the extracted aspect ratio
information; adjusting .[.an extent of.]. the flexible display
rolled up on the outer circumference of the flexible display in
accordance with the received command signal; displaying video data
in the received content on a first partitioned region of the region
in the flexible display, and displaying caption data on a second
partitioned region of the region in the flexible display not rolled
up on the outer .[.circumstance.]. .Iadd.circumference .Iaddend.of
the guide bar if the caption data is included in the received
metadata; and displaying, in a standby mode, information received
from another indoor home device, a portable device, or a mobile
device on the second partitioned region of the region in the
flexible display not rolled up on the outer .[.circumstance.].
.Iadd.circumference .Iaddend.of the guide bar, wherein the
.[.second partitioned region is not rolled up on the outer
circumference of the guide bar in the standby mode, and the region
in the flexible display not rolled up on the outer circumstance of
the guide bar is minimized in the standby mode.]. .Iadd.vertical
width of the region of the flexible display not rolled up on the
outer circumference of the guide bar is made smaller in the standby
mode such that only the second partitioned region of the region is
not rolled up on the outer circumference of the guide
bar.Iaddend..
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising saving a function or
lookup table for determining the vertical width of the region in
the flexible display not rolled up on the outer circumference of
the guide bar in accordance with the aspect ratio of the screen in
the flexible display in a storage unit.
17. The method of claim 16, the adjusting the extent of the
flexible display rolled up on the outer circumference of the
flexible display, comprising: detecting the function or a value in
the lookup table by accessing the storage unit; and determining the
vertical width of the region in the flexible display not rolled up
on the outer circumference of the guide bar using the detected
function or value in the lookup table.
18. The method of claim 15, further comprising: sensing a user's
eye using a sensor; and adjusting a height of the guide bar to
enable the sensor and the user's eye to be situated in parallel
with each other on a same level.
19. The method of claim 15, further comprising: detecting the
caption data from the received metadata; and if the caption data is
detected, controlling the video data of the received content and
the caption data to be displayed on the first partitioned region of
the region of the flexible display not rolled up on the outer
circumference of the guide bar and the second partitioned region of
the region of the flexible display not rolled up on the outer
circumference of the guide bar, respectively.
.Iadd.20. A digital television comprising: a flexible display; a
sensing unit configured to receive a user command; a guide bar
supporting the flexible display; a motor coupled to the guide bar
and configured to roll the flexible display on an outer
circumference of the guide bar, the flexible display having a first
region rolled on the outer circumference of the guide bar and a
second region not rolled on the outer circumference of the guide
bar; a wireless communication unit configured to pair the digital
television with a portable device, a mobile device or at least one
indoor home device; and a controller configured to: in response to
a first display mode, extract aspect ratio information from video
data to be displayed on the flexible display, adjust a vertical
width of the second region to be a first width in accordance with
the extracted aspect ratio information, display the video data on a
first partitioned region of the second region, and display caption
data on a second partitioned region of the second region in
correspondence with the displayed video data if the caption data is
included with the video data, and in response to a second display
mode, adjust the vertical width of the second region to be a second
width that is smaller than the first width, and display information
on the second partitioned region received from the paired portable
device, the mobile device or the at least one indoor home device,
wherein the vertical width of the second region of the flexible
display is adjusted to be smaller in the second display mode such
that only the second partitioned region of the region is not rolled
on the outer circumference of the guide bar. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.21. The digital television of claim 20, wherein the sensing
unit further comprises at least one of an eye recognition sensor
configured to recognize an eye of a user or a motion recognition
sensor configured to recognize a motion of the user. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.22. The digital television of claim 20, wherein the flexible
display is an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display.
.Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. The digital television of claim 20, wherein the
controller is further configured to: turn on a light source of the
flexible display in part to illuminate while the digital television
is in the second display mode, and prevent using a specific
function including contents viewing in the second display mode.
.Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. The digital television of claim 20, wherein the wireless
communication unit is further configured to receive additional
information from the paired portable device, the mobile device or
the at least one indoor home device while the digital television is
in the second display mode, and wherein the controller is further
configured to prevent using a specific function including contents
viewing in the second display mode. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. The digital television of claim 24, wherein the
controller is further configured to: display the additional
information as graphic data or text data on the flexible display.
.Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. A method of controlling a digital television, the method
comprising: receiving, via a sensing unit of the digital
television, a user command; pairing, via a wireless communication
unit of the digital television, the digital television with a
portable device, a mobile device or at least one indoor home
device; rolling a flexible display of the digital television on an
outer circumference of a guide bar via a motor, wherein the
flexible display has a first region rolled on the outer
circumference of the guide bar and a second region not rolled on
the outer circumference of the guide bar; in response to a first
display mode, extracting, via a controller, aspect ratio
information from video data to be displayed on the flexible
display, adjusting a vertical width of the second region to be a
first width in accordance with the extracted aspect ratio
information, displaying the video data on a first partitioned
region of the second region, and displaying caption data on a
second partitioned region of the second region in correspondence
with the displayed video data if the caption data is included with
the video data; and in response to a second display mode, adjusting
the vertical width of the second region to be a second width that
is smaller than the first width, and displaying information on the
second partitioned region received from the paired portable device,
mobile device or the at least one indoor home device, wherein the
vertical width of the second region of the flexible display is
adjusted to be smaller in the second display mode such that only
the second partitioned region is not rolled on the outer
circumference of the guide bar. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. The method of claim 26, further comprising: recognizing,
via an eye recognition sensor of the digital television, an eye of
a user; or recognizing, via a motion recognition sensor, a motion
of the user. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. The method of claim 26, wherein the flexible display is
an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. The method of claim 26, further comprising: turning on,
via the controller, a light source of the flexible display in part
to illuminate while the digital television is in the second display
mode; and prevent using, via the controller, a specific function
including contents viewing in the second display mode.
.Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. The method of claim 26, further comprising: receiving,
via the wireless communication unit, additional information from
the portable device or the at least one indoor home device while
the digital television is in the second display mode; and
preventing using, via the controller, a specific function including
contents viewing in the second display mode. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. The method of claim 30, further comprising: displaying,
via the controller, the additional information as graphic data or
text data on the flexible display. .Iaddend.
Description
.Iadd.CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS .Iaddend.
.Iadd.This Application is a Reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 9,860,474
issued on Jan. 2, 2018, which is the National Phase of PCT
International Application No. PCT/KR2013/008153 filed on Sep. 10,
2013, which claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(a) to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0065936 filed in
the Republic of Korea on Jun. 10, 2013. .Iaddend.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a multimedia device and
controlling method thereof, and more particularly, to a multimedia
device including a flexible display and controlling method thereof.
Although the present invention is suitable for a wide scope of
applications, it is particularly suitable for rolling up the
flexible display. For example, the multimedia device may include
one of a network TV, a smart TV, a hybrid broadcast broadband
television (HBBTV), and internet TV, a web TV, an internet protocol
television (IPTV) and the like.
BACKGROUND ART
Generally, a multimedia device is equipped with a function of
receiving and processing a user-viewable broadcast image. Recently,
analog broadcasting tends to be replaced by digital broadcasting in
many countries including Republic of Korea and the like.
Digital broadcasting means the broadcasting of transmitting digital
video and audio signals. Since the digital broadcasting is stronger
against external noise than the analog broadcasting, the digital
broadcasting has data loss less than that of the analog
broadcasting. The digital broadcasting is more advantageous than
the analog broadcasting in error correction. The digital
broadcasting has resolution higher than that of the analog
broadcasting. And, the digital broadcasting provides a screen image
clearer than that of the analog broadcasting. Moreover, the digital
broadcasting is capable of interactive services unlike the analog
broadcasting. Recently, there are many ongoing discussions on a
smart TV in which an image display device function and a multimedia
device function are integrated or combined with each other.
Meanwhile, hard types of displays have been mainly used. However,
since it is impossible to change an exterior shape of a hard type
display, a blank is left on top, bottom, right and/or left side of
a screen depending on an aspect ratio of a content displayed on the
display, whereby immersion in the content is disturbed. Recently, a
flexible display, which can be bent or curved, is ready to be
commercialized.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a multimedia
device and controlling method thereof that may substantially
obviate one or more of the problems due to limitations and
disadvantages of the related art.
An object of the present invention is to provide a multimedia
device and controlling method thereof, by which a solution for
adjusting a screen region in a display to fit into an optimized
aspect ratio of a content can be provided.
[Another object of the present invention is to provide a multimedia
device and controlling method thereof, by which a solution for
adjusting a height of a display to fit into a user's eye height can
be provided.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of
utilizing a display in a standby mode of a multimedia device.
Technical tasks obtainable from the present invention are
non-limited the above mentioned effect. And, other unmentioned
technical tasks s can be clearly understood from the following
description by those having ordinary skill in the technical field
to which the present invention pertains.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set
forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention
will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed
out in the written description and claims thereof as well as the
appended drawings.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the
purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly
described, a multimedia device according to one embodiment of the
present invention includes a guide bar, a flexible display
configured to be rolled up on an outer circumference of the guide
bar, the flexible display having a first region rolled up on the
outer circumference of the guide bar and a second region not rolled
up on the outer circumference of the guide bar, a receiving unit
configured to receive a content and metadata corresponding to the
content from a source device, and a control unit adjusting a
vertical width of the second region of the flexible display in
accordance with a preset condition.
To further achieve these and other advantages and in accordance
with the purpose of the present invention, a method of controlling
a multimedia device, which includes a guide bar and a flexible
display configured to be rolled up on an outer circumference of the
guide bar, according to another embodiment of the present invention
includes the steps of receiving a content and metadata
corresponding to the content from a source device, extracting an
aspect ratio information from the received metadata, and adjusting
an extent of the flexible display rolled up on the outer
circumference of the flexible display in accordance with the
extracted aspect ratio information.
To further achieve these and other advantages and in accordance
with the purpose of the present invention, a method of controlling
a multimedia device, which includes a guide bar and a flexible
display configured to be rolled up on an outer circumference of the
guide bar, according to a further embodiment of the present
invention includes the steps of receiving a content and metadata
corresponding to the content from a source device, receiving a
command signal for selecting an aspect ratio of a screen in the
flexible display, and adjusting an extent of the flexible display
rolled up on the outer circumference of the flexible display in
accordance with the received command signal.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description
and the following detailed description are exemplary and
explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the
invention as claimed.
Accordingly, the present invention provides the following effects
and/or features.
First of all, according to one embodiment of the present invention,
a solution for adjusting a screen region in a display to fit into
an optimized aspect ratio of a content is provided.
Secondly, according to another embodiment of the present invention,
a solution for adjusting a height of a display to fit into a user's
eye height is provided.
Thirdly, according to a further embodiment of the present
invention, a method of utilizing a display in a standby mode of a
multimedia device is provided.
Effects obtainable from the present invention are non-limited the
above mentioned effect. And, other unmentioned effects can be
clearly understood from the following description by those having
ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present
invention pertains.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description
and the following detailed description of the present invention are
exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further
explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further
understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention. The above and other aspects,
features, and advantages of the present invention will become more
apparent upon consideration of the following description of
preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawing figures as follows.
FIG. 1a is a diagram for one example of a multimedia device
including a flexible display according to one embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 1b is a diagram of a portion of a guide bar included in the
multimedia device shown in FIG. 1a.
FIG. 2 is a diagram of component modules of a multimedia device
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a detailed diagram of component modules of a control unit
shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for another example of component modules of a
multimedia device including a flexible display according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for a further example of component modules of a
multimedia device including a flexible display according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exterior of a remote controller
configured to control a multimedia device including a flexible
display according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a detailed diagram of inner component modules of a remote
controller configured to control a multimedia device including a
flexible display according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for one example of a GUI displayed on a screen
in a multimedia device according to another embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are diagrams of a multimedia device according
to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to a further
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to another
further embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a diagram to describe one example of adjusting a height
of a multimedia device according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 21 is a diagram for one example of a multimedia device having
a sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 22 is a diagram for another example of a multimedia device
having a sensor according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart for a method of controlling a multimedia
device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments
of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference
numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same
or like parts.
As used herein, the suffixes `module`, `unit` and `part` are used
for elements in order to facilitate the disclosure only. Therefore,
significant meanings or roles are not given to the suffixes
themselves and it is understood that the `module`, `unit` and
`part` can be used together or interchangeably.
Meanwhile, a display device described in the present specification
is an intelligent network TV additionally equipped with a computer
supportive function. In particular, the display device fully
supports a broadcast receiving function and has an internet
function and the like added thereto. Hence, the display device can
have such a facilitated interface as a handwritten input device, a
touchscreen, a space remote controller and the like. And, the
display device is connected to internet and computer with the
support of wired/wireless internet function and can perform
functions of email, web browsing, banking, game and the like. For
the various function, a standardized universal operation system
(OS) can be used.
And, since various applications can be freely added to or deleted
from a universal OS kernel, a display device mentioned in the
description of the present invention can perform various kinds of
user-friendly functions.
Moreover, although reference will now be made in detail to the
preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which
are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the present invention
may be non-limited by the preferred embodiments of the present
invention.
First of all, although terminologies used in the present
specification are selected from general terminologies used
currently and widely in consideration of functions in the present
invention, they may be changed in accordance with intentions of
technicians engaged in the corresponding fields, customs, advents
of new technologies and the like. Occasionally, some terminologies
may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant(s). In this case, the
meanings of the arbitrarily selected terminologies shall be
described in the corresponding part of the detailed description of
the invention. Therefore, terminologies used in the present
specification need to be construed based on the substantial
meanings of the corresponding terminologies and the overall matters
disclosed in the present specification rather than construed as
simple names of the terminologies.
FIG. 1a is a diagram for one example of a multimedia device
including a flexible display according to one embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 1b is a diagram of a portion of a guide bar
included in the multimedia device shown in FIG. 1a. One example of
a multimedia device including a flexible display according to one
embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to
FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b as follows.
Referring to FIG. 1a, a multimedia device 100 according to one
embodiment of the present invention includes a guide bar 110 and a
flexible display 120.
The guide bar 110 is configured in a rod shape having a length
direction. For instance, the guide bar 110 may be formed in a
cylindrical shape. Yet, no limitations are put on the shape of the
guide bar 110. And, the multimedia device 100 may further include a
housing configured to enclose an outside of the guide bar 110.
The flexible display 120 is supported by the guide bar 110 and can
be rolled up on an outer circumference of the guide bar 110. A size
of a screen 122 of the flexible display 120 can be adjusted
depending on a size of a portrait length of the flexible display
120 wound on the outer circumference of the guide bar 110. In
particular, if an extent of the flexible display 120 rolled up on
the outer circumference of the guide bar 110 increases, the size of
the screen 122 decreases correspondingly. If an extent of the
flexible display 120 rolled up on the outer circumference of the
guide bar 110 decreases, the size of the screen 122 increases
correspondingly. In this case, the screen 122 means a part of the
flexible display 120, on which video data, image data, text data
and the like are displayed. In particular, the screen 122 may be
situated within a region of the flexible display 120 failing to be
rolled up on the outer circumference of the guide bar 110.
In case that a user does not use the multimedia device 100 for long
term, the flexible display 120 is facilitated to be stored in a
manner of being fully rolled up on the outer circumference of the
guide bar 110.
A motor (not shown in the drawing) is built in the guide bar 110 to
roll up the flexible display 120 on the outer circumference of the
guide bar 110. Once the motor starts to rotate, the guide bar 110
connected to the motor rotates to adjust an extent of rolling up
the flexible display 120 supported by the guide bar 110 on the
outer circumference of the guide bar 110. Referring to FIG. 1b, the
guide bar 110 may include a first part 111 configured to support
the flexible display 120, a second part 112 provided to both end
portions of the first part 111 in a manner of having a motor built
therein, and a third part 113 locked to the second part 112. The
first part 111 is locked to one end of the flexible display 120 and
is designed to have the flexible display 120 rolled up on its outer
circumference while the first part 111 supports the flexible
display 120. As the second part 112 having the motor built therein
rotates, the first part 111 rotates together with the second part
112. If the first part 111 rotates, it is able to adjust an extent
of rolling up the flexible display 120. The 3rd part 113 is the
part locked to a string (cf. a reference number 2030 shown in FIG.
20) that will be explained later. And, a distance detection sensor
may be provided to each of a top side 114 and a bottom side 115 of
the third part 113. Conducting lines 116 including RF antenna, A/V
cable, power cable and the like can be connected to the guide bar
110.
For instance, the flexible display 120 may include an organic light
emitting diode (OLED).
FIG. 2 is a diagram of component modules of a multimedia device
according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the
following description, component modules of a multimedia device
according to one embodiment of the present invention are explained
with reference to FIG. 2. Yet, FIG. 2 shows one embodiment for
clarity of the following description. If the embodiment includes
other component modules as well as the former component modules
shown in FIG. 2 or the former component module(s) shown in FIG. 2
is omitted in part, it may belong to the scope of the appended
claims and their equivalents. Moreover, the multimedia device 200
may correspond to the former multimedia device 100 shown in FIG.
1a. Besides, if some of the component modules shown in FIG. 2 are
separated from a display unit 280 in form of STB (set-top box), it
may belong to the scope of the appended claims and their
equivalents.
Referring to FIG. 2, a multimedia device 200 according to one
embodiment of the present invention may include a receiving unit
205, an external device interface unit 235, a storage unit 240, a
user interface unit 250, a sensor unit 260, a control unit 270, a
display unit .[.2380.]..Iadd.280.Iaddend., an audio output unit
285, a power supply unit 290 and a photographing unit (not shown in
the drawing).
The receiving unit 205 may include a tuner 210, a demodulator 220
and a network interface 230. Optionally, if necessary, the
receiving unit 205 can be designed to include the tuner 210 and the
demodulator 220 without the network interface 230. On the contrary,
the receiving unit 205 can be designed to include the network
interface 230 without the tuner 210 and the demodulator 220.
The tuner 210 selects an RF (radio frequency) broadcast signal,
which corresponds to a channel selected by a user or all of the
saved channels, from RF broadcast signal received via an antenna.
The demodulator 220 receives a digital IF signal (DIF) transformed
by the tuner 210 and then performs a demodulating operation
thereon.
The demodulator 220 performs demodulation and channel decoding and
is then able to output a stream signal TS. In this case, the stream
signal may include a signal in which a video signal, an audio
signal and/or a data signal are multiplexed with each other. For
instance, the stream signal may include an MPEG-2 TS (transport
stream) in which an MPEG-2 video signal, a Dolby AC-3 audio signal
and the like are multiplexed with each other. In particular, the
MPEG-2 TS can include a 4-byte header and a 184-byte payload.
The stream signal outputted from the demodulator 220 can be
inputted to the control unit 270. Subsequently, the control unit
270 performs demultiplexing, video/audio signal processing and the
like and then outputs a video and an audio to the display unit 280
and the audio output unit 285, respectively. And, the display unit
280 may correspond to the flexible display shown in FIG. 1a.
The external device interface unit 235 can connect the multimedia
device 200 to an external device. To this end, the external device
interface unit 235 can include an A/V input/output unit (not shown
in the drawing) or a wireless communication unit (not shown in the
drawing).
The external device interface unit 235 .[.204.]. may be connected
by wire/wireless to such an external device as a DVD (digital
versatile disk), a BD (Blu-ray disc) player, a game device, a
camera, a camcorder, a computer (e.g., laptop, etc.) and the like.
Meanwhile, the external device interface unit 235 receives an
application or an application list in a neighbor external device
and is then able to deliver it to the control unit 270 or the
storage unit 240.
The network interface 230 may include an Ethernet terminal and the
like for an access to a wired network for example. And, for the
connection to a wireless network, the network interface 230 may use
such a communication protocol as WLAN (wireless LAN: Wi-Fi), Wibro
(wireless broadband), Wimax (world interoperability for microwave
access), HSPDA (high speed downlink packet access) and the like for
example. And, the network interface 230 selects a desired
application from applications open to the public via a network and
is then able to receive the selected application.
The storage unit 240 may store programs for signal processing and
control within the control unit 270. And, the storage unit 240 may
store a signal processed audio, video or data signal.
The storage unit 240 may perform a function for temporary storage
of an audio, video or data signal inputted from the external device
interface unit 235 or the network interface 230. Moreover, the
storage unit 240 may store the application or the application list
inputted from the external device interface unit 235 or the network
interface 230.
The user interface unit 250 forwards a signal inputted by a user to
the control unit 270. The user interface unit 250 forwards a signal
from the control unit 270 to the user. For instance, the user
interface unit .[.240.]. .Iadd.250 .Iaddend.receives and processes
a control signal for power-on/off, channel selection, screen
settings or the like from the remote controller 300 by such a
communication protocol as RF (radio frequency) communication
protocol, infrared (IR) communication protocol and the like. And,
the user interface unit 250 transmits a control signal from the
control unit 270 to the remote controller 300.
The control unit 270 may generate and output a signal for a video
or audio output in a manner of demultiplexing a stream inputted via
the tuner 210, the demodulator 220 or the external device interface
unit 235 or processing demultiplexed signals.
The video signal video-processed by the control unit 270 is
inputted to the display unit 280 and can be then displayed as a
video or image corresponding to the inputted video signal. And, the
video signal video-processed by the control unit 270 can be
inputted to an external output device via the external device
interface unit 235. The audio signal processed by the control unit
270 is inputted to the audio output unit 285. And, the audio signal
processed by the control unit 270 can be inputted to the external
output device via the external device interface unit 235.
The display unit 280 generates a drive signal by converting the
video, data and OSD signals processed by the control unit 270, or
the video and data signals received from the external device
interface unit 235 to R/G/B signals. The display unit 280 includes
a flexible display that can be bent or curved. And, the display
unit 280 may include OLED (organic light emitting diode). In case
that a graphic user interface (GUI) for a user input is displayed
on a screen of the display unit 280, the display unit 280 can play
a role as a user interface unit as well as a role an output
unit.
The audio output unit 285 outputs an audio by receiving an input of
stereo signal, 3.1-channel signal or 5.1-channel signal, which is
audio-processed by the control unit 270, for example. And, the
audio output unit 285 may be implemented with speakers of various
types.
The power supply unit 290 supplies power to the multimedia device
200 overall. In particular, the power supply unit 290 can supply
the power to the control unit 270 implemented into an SOC (system
on chip) type, the display unit 280 for the image or video display,
and the audio output unit 285 for the audio output.
The sensor unit 260 can include at least one of an eye recognition
sensor for recognizing a user's eye, a motion recognition sensor
for recognizing a user's motion, a voice recognition sensor for
recognizing a user's voice and the like.
The remote controller 300 transmits a user input to the user
interface unit 250. To this end, the remote controller 300 can use
Bluetooth, RF (radio frequency) communication, IR communication,
UWB (ultra wideband), Zigbee and the like. Particularly, the remote
controller 300 shall be described in detail with reference to FIG.
6 and FIG. 7 later.
The tuner 210 receives AV data of a broadcast program. And, the
tuner 210 can be replaced by a broadcast network interface.
The network interface 230 receives a content and metadata
corresponding to the content from each source device. In this case,
the source device means a broadcasting station, a contents
provider, a service provider or the like. And, the network
interface 230 can be designed as an internet network interface for
example.
FIG. 3 is a detailed diagram of component modules of a control unit
shown in FIG. 2. In the following description, component modules of
the control unit in the multimedia device according to one
embodiment of the present invention are explained.
Referring to FIG. 3, the control unit 270 according to one
embodiment of the present invention may include a demultiplexer
271, a video processor 272, an OSD generator 273, a mixer 274, a
frame rate converter .[.275.]. (FRC) 275 and a formatter 276. And,
the control unit 270 may further include an audio processor (not
shown in the drawing) and a data processor (not shown in the
drawing).
The demultiplexer 271 may demultiplex an inputted stream. The video
processor 272 may perform a video processing on a demultiplexed
video signal. To this end, the video processor 272 may further
include a video decoder 272a and a scaler 272b.
The video decoder 272a decodes the demultiplexed video signal and
the scaler 272b performs a scaling to enable resolution of the
decoded video signal to be outputtable from the display unit 280.
And, the video signal decoded by the video processor 272 is
inputted to the mixer 274.
The OSD generator 273 generates an OSD signal in response to a user
input or by itself. For instance, the OSD generator 273 can
generate a signal for displaying various information as a graphic
or text on a screen of the display unit 280 based on a control
signal from the user interface unit 250.
The mixer 274 mixes the OSD signal generated from the OSD generator
273 and the decoded video signal video-processed by the video
processor 272 with each other. The mixed signal is provided to the
formatter 276. Since a decoded broadcast video signal or an
external input signal and an OSD signal are mixed together, an OSD
may be displayed in a manner of overlaying a broadcast video or an
external input video.
The frame rate converter (FRC) 275 can convert a frame rate of an
inputted video. For instance, the frame rate converter 275 converts
a frame rate to 120 or 240 Hz from 60 Hz. In case that the frame
rate of 60 Hz is converted to 120 Hz, it is possible to insert a
first frame between the first frame and a second frame or insert a
third frame, which is predicted from the first frame and the second
frame, between the first frame and the second frame. In case of
converting a frame rate of 60 Hz to 240 Hz, it is possible to
insert 3 frames of the same or 3 predicted frames. Meanwhile, it is
possible to maintain an inputted frame rate without separate
conversion.
The formatter 276 receives an input of an output signal of the
frame rate converter 275 and then outputs the signal by changing a
format of the signal to fit the display unit 280. For instance, the
formatter 276 can output R/G/B data signal. In this case, the R/G/B
data signal may be outputted as low voltage differential signaling
(LVDS) or mini-LVDS.
Particularly, a multimedia device including a flexible display
according to one embodiment of the present invention is described
as follows.
First of all, the display unit 280 includes a flexible display and
can be rolled up on an outer circumference of a guide bar (not
shown in the drawing). In the display unit 280, a part rolled up on
the outer circumference of the guide bar shall be named a first
region and a part failing to be rolled up on the outer
circumference of the guide bar shall be named a second region.
Since the display unit 280 can be rolled up on the outer
circumference of the guide bar, a size of each of the first and
second regions may vary depending on an extent of the display unit
280 rolled up on the guide bar. In this case, a screen is situated
within the second region failing to be rolled up on the outer
circumference of the guide bar.
The receiving unit 205 receives a content and metadata
corresponding to the content from a source device. In this case,
the source device may include one of a broadcasting station, a
contents provided, a service provider and the like. In this case,
the contents may conceptionally include all contents, which include
a broadcast signal, a VOD (video on demand), an application and the
like, receivable from the source device. And, the metadata may
include such information as a content name, a running time, an
optimized resolution, an aspect ratio and the like.
The control unit 270 extracts an aspect ratio information of the
content from the received metadata. In this case, the aspect ratio
means a width to length ratio of a screen. Using the aspect ratio
information, the control unit 270 can obtain a screen aspect ratio
optimized for the received content.
In accordance with the extract aspect ratio information, the
control unit 270 adjusts a vertical width of the second region of
the flexible display. In particular, the control unit 270 adjusts
the vertical width of the second region of the flexible display to
fit the extracted aspect ratio, thereby enabling a user to watch
the content on a full screen without a margin or blank. This shall
be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9
later.
The adjustment of the vertical width of the second region of the
flexible display is performed in a manner of adjusting an extent of
the flexible display rolled up on the outer circumference of the
guide bar. If the extent of the flexible display rolled up on the
outer circumference of the flexible display increases, a size of
the screen decreases correspondingly. If the extent of the flexible
display rolled up on the outer circumference of the flexible
display decreases, a size of the screen increases correspondingly.
Since a horizontal width of the flexible display is already
determined depending on a product, it is able to adjust a size of
the screen by adjusting the vertical width of the flexible
display.
Meanwhile, since a hard type display is used according to the
related, a blank is left on top, bottom, right and/or left side of
a screen depending on an aspect ratio of a screen. Hence, it may
cause a problem that user's immersion is disturbed. Yet, according
to the present invention, a size of a screen is controlled in a
manner that a vertical width of a second region of a flexible
display is adjusted depending on an aspect ratio optimized for a
content, whereby a user can watch the content on a full screen
without blanks or margins.
Occasionally, a user may desire to watch a content at an aspect
ratio of a screen preferred by the user instead of watching the
content at an aspect ratio indicated by an information of a
received metadata. In this case, the control unit 270 generates a
GUI for receiving a command signal for selecting an aspect ratio of
a screen and then controls the generated GUI to be displayed on the
flexible display. In particular, the OSD generator 273 in the
control unit 270 generates a GUI signal for aspect ratio selection
and then delivers the GUI signal to the display unit 280. If so,
the GUI is displayed on the display unit 280. The control unit 270
adjusts the vertical width of the second region of the flexible
display in response to a screen aspect ratio inputted via the GUI.
This shall be described in detail with reference to FIG. 10
later.
The storage unit 240 may store a function or a lookup table for
determining the vertical width of the second region in accordance
with the screen aspect ratio in advance. In response to the screen
aspect ratio, the control unit 270 detects the function by
accessing the storage unit 240 and then determines the vertical
width of the second region in accordance with the detected
function. Alternatively, in response to the screen aspect ratio,
the control unit 270 detects a value in the lookup table by
accessing the storage unit 240 and then determines the vertical
width of the second region in accordance with the detected value in
the lookup table. The control unit 270 detects a width of the
second region in a current state and is then able to determine
whether to further roll up the flexible display on the outer
circumference of the guide bar or release a rolled part of the
flexible display from the outer circumference of the guide bar in
accordance with the determined width of the second region.
The control unit 270 can determine whether caption data (subtitle
image or text data), OSD data, widget application data or the like
exists except video data included in the received content. For
clarity, the caption data (subtitle image or text data), the OSD
data, the widget application data or the like except video data
shall be named subdata.
If a command signal for displaying the video data and the subdata
separately is received through the received content itself or a
user input, the control unit 270 partitions a screen within the
flexible display and is then able to control the video data and the
subdata to be displayed on a first partitioned region and a second
partitioned region, respectively, in response to the received
command signal. The OSD generator 273 in the control unit 270
converts the subdata to an OSD signal and is then able to deliver
it to the second partitioned region. In this case, an aspect ratio
of the screen may mean the aspect ratio of the first partitioned
region for displaying the video data. Hence, the control unit 270
adjusts a vertical width of the second region of the flexible
display to match a size of the first partitioned region to the
aspect ratio. This shall be described in detail with reference to
FIGS. 11 to 14 later.
In case that at least two contents are received by the receiving
unit 205, the control unit 270 partitions a screen within the
flexible display into a plurality of partitioned regions and then
controls video data of different contents to be displayed on a
plurality of the partitioned regions, respectively. According to an
embodiment, the receiving unit 205 may include a plurality of
tuners 210.
According to an embodiment, the video data in the content received
by the receiving unit 205 may be displayed on the first partitioned
region within the screen of the flexible display and a video data
within a content included in a storage medium owned by a user may
be displayed on the second partitioned region within the screen of
the flexible display. In this case, the storage medium may include
the storage unit 240 of the multimedia device 200 or an external
storage medium (e.g., USB memory, etc.) connected to the multimedia
device 200 via the external device interface unit 235. This shall
be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17 later.
While the multimedia device 200 is in the state of the standby
mode, a light source of the display unit 280 is turned on in part
to play a role as an illumination. If the multimedia device 200 is
in the state of the standby mode, it may mean that a user does not
use a unique function (e.g., a contents view, a search via
internet, etc.) of the multimedia device 200. This shall be
described in detail with reference to FIG. 18 later.
In case that the multimedia device 200 is paired via network with
such a device as a user's mobile phone, a home phone, an indoor
thermometer and the like, the multimedia device 200 receives
informations from the devices via the internal device interface
(i.e., the network interface 230) or the external device interface
unit 235 and then displays the received informations on the display
unit 280, thereby play a role in guiding informations. This shall
be described in detail with reference to FIG. 19 later.
The sensor unit 260 can include at least one of an eye recognition
sensor for recognizing a user's eye, a motion recognition sensor
for recognizing a user's motion, a voice recognition sensor for
recognizing a user's voice and the like.
In particular, the sensor unit 260 recognizes a user's eye using
the eye recognition sensor and the control unit 270 is then able to
adjust a height of the flexible display to enable a screen of the
flexible display to fit a user's eye height. This shall be
described in detail with reference to FIG. 21 later.
The sensor unit 260 recognizes a user's motion using the motion
recognition sensor and the control unit 270 is then able to adjust
a height of the flexible display to enable a screen of the flexible
display to be situated at a user-desired height. And, the storage
unit 240 can store a control signal matching each user's motion.
This shall be described in detail with reference to FIG. 22
later.
The sensor unit 260 recognizes a user's voice using the voice
recognition sensor and the control unit 270 is then able to adjust
a height of the flexible display to enable a screen of the flexible
display to be situated at a user-desired height. And, the storage
unit 240 can store a control signal matching each user's voice.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for another example of component modules of a
multimedia device including a flexible display according to one
embodiment of the present invention. In the following description,
another example of component modules of a multimedia device
including a flexible display according to one embodiment of the
present invention is explained with reference to FIG. 4. A
multimedia device 400 shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to the former
multimedia device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.
Referring to FIG. 4, a multimedia device 400 may include a network
interface 401, a TCP/IP manager 402, a service delivery manager
403, a demultiplexer (Demux) 405, a PSI & (PSIP and/or SI)
decoder 404, an audio decoder 406, a video decoder 407, a display
module (Display A/V and OSD Module) 408, a service control manager
409, a service discovery manager 410, a metadata manager 412, an SI
& Metadata DB 411, a UI manager 414, a service manager 413 and
the like. Yet, the scope of the appended claims and their
equivalents may be non-limited by the components shown in FIG. 4.
And, it is possible to add or delete module(s) in the necessity for
those skilled in the art.
First of all, the network interface 401 receives packets from a
network and transmits packets to the network. In particular, the
network interface 401 receives a service, a content and the like
from a service provider via the network. And, the network interface
401 corresponds to the receiving unit 205 shown in FIG. 2.
The TCP/IP manager 402 manages a packet received by the multimedia
device 400 and a packet transmitted by the IPTV 400. In particular,
the TCP/IP manager 402 manages a packet delivery from a source to a
destination. The TCP/IP manager 402 sorts the received packets to
correspond to an appropriate protocol and then transmits the sorted
packets to the service delivery manager 405, the service discovery
manager 410, the service control manager 409 and the metadata
manager 412.
The service delivery manager 403 is responsible for a control of
the received service data. For instance, in case of controlling
real-time streaming data, the service delivery manager 403 can use
RTP/RTCP. In case of transmitting the real-time streaming data
using RTP, the service delivery manager 403 parses the received
data packet by the RTP and then transmits the parsed data packet to
the demultiplexer 405 or saves the parsed data packet in the SI
& Metadata DB 411. And, the service delivery manager 403 feeds
back the network received data to a service side, which provides a
service, using the RTCP.
The demultiplexer (Demux) 405 demultiplexes the received packets
into audio data, video data, PSI (program specific information)
data and the like and then transmits the demultiplexed data to the
audio decoder 406, the video decoder 407 and the PSI (PSIP and/or
SI) decoder 404, respectively.
The PSI & (PSIP and/or SI) decoder 404 decodes such service
information as PSI (program specific information) and the like for
example. In particular, the PSI & (PSIP and/or SI) decoder 404
receives a PSI section, a PSIP (program and service information
protocol) section, an SI (service information) section and the
like, which are demultiplexed by the demultiplexer 405, and then
decodes the received sections.
Moreover, the PSI & (PSIP and/or SI) decoder 404 creates a
database for the service information by decoding the received
sections and then saves the database for the service information in
the SI & Metadata DB 411. In this case, an aspect ratio
information of a content may be included in the decoded service
information.
The audio decoder 406 and the video decoder 407 decode the video
data and the audio data, which are received from the demultiplexer
405, respectively. Subsequently, audio data decoded by the audio
decoder 406 and video data decoded by the video decoder 407 are
provided to a user through the display module (Display AN and OSD
Module) 408.
The UI manager 414 and the service manager 413 manage overall
states of the multimedia device 400, provide a user interface, and
also manage other managers.
The UI manager 414 provides a GUI (graphic user interface) for a
user using an OSD (on screen display) and the like. The UI manager
414 receives a key input from the user and then performs a receiver
operation in response to the received input. For instance, if the
UI manager 414 receives a key input for a channel selection from
the user, the UI manager 414 transmits a corresponding key input
signal to the service manager 413.
The service manager 413 controls such a manager associated with a
service as the service delivery manager 403, the service discovery
manager 410, the service control manager 409, the metadata manager
412 and the like.
The service manager 413 creates a channel map and then selects a
channel in response to the key input received from the user
interface manager 414 using the channel map. The service manager
413 receives a service information of a channel from the PSI &
(PSIP and/or SI) decoder 404 and then configures an audio/video PID
(packet identifier) of the selected channel in the demultiplexer
405.
The service discovery manager 410 provides information necessary to
select a service provider that provides a service. In case of
receiving a signal related to the channel selection from the
service manager 413, the service discovery manager 410 searches
services using the information.
The service control manager 409 is responsible for a selection and
control of a service. For instance, if a user selects a live
broadcasting service of the same existing broadcasting system, the
service control manager 409 uses IGMP, RTSP or the like. In case of
selecting such a service as a VOD (video on demand) service and the
like, the service control manager 409 performs the selection and
control of the service using the RTSP. The RTSP protocol can
provide a trick mode for a real-time streaming. And, the service
control manager 409 can initialize and manage a session through an
IMC gate using IMS (IP multimedia subsystem) and SIP (session
initiation protocol). The above protocols are provided for example
and other protocols are available depending on examples of
implementations.
The metadata manager 412 manages metadata associated with a service
and saves the metadata in the SI & Metadata DB 411.
The SI & Metadata DB 411 stores the service information decoded
by the PSI & (PSIP and/or SI) decoder 404, the metadata managed
by the metadata manager 412 and the information necessary to select
a service provided by the service discovery manager 410. And, setup
data for the system and the like can be saved in the SI &
Metadata DB 411.
The SI & Metadata DB 411 can be implemented using a nonvolatile
RAM (NVRAM), a flash memory and/or the like. Meanwhile, the IG 450
includes a gateway in which functions necessary to access an IMS
based IPTV service are collected.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for a further example of component modules of a
multimedia device including a flexible display according to one
embodiment of the present invention. In the following description,
a further example of component modules of a multimedia device
including a flexible display according to one embodiment of the
present invention is explained with reference to FIG. 5. A
multimedia device 500 shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to the former
multimedia device shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.
Referring to FIG. 5, for example, a multimedia device 500 may
include a broadcast interface 501, a section filter 502, an AIT
filter 503, an application data processor 504, a broadcast data
processor 511, a media player 506, an internet protocol processor
507, an internet interface 508, a run time module 509 and the like.
Yet, the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents may be
non-limited by the components shown in FIG. 5. And, it is possible
to add or delete module(s) in the necessity for those skilled in
the art. And, the media player 506 may correspond to the display
unit 280 shown in FIG. 2.
Through the broadcast interface 501, AIT (application information
table) data, real-time broadcast content, application data and
stream event are received. Meanwhile, the real-time broadcast
content can be named a linear A/V content. The broadcast interface
501 corresponds to the receiving unit 205 shown in FIG. 2.
The section filter 502 performs section filtering on the 4 kinds of
data received via the broadcast interface 501 and then transmits
the AIT data, the linear A/V content and the stream event &
application data to the AIT filter 503, the broadcast data
processor 511 and the application data processor 504,
respectively.
Meanwhile, through the internet interface 508, a non-linear A/V
content and application data are received. In particular, the
non-linear A/V content may include a COD (content on demand)
application for example. And, the internet interface 508
corresponds to the receiving unit 205 shown in FIG. 2.
The non-linear A/V content is transmitted to the media player 506,
while the application data is transmitted to the runtime module
509.
Moreover, the runtime module 509 may include an application manager
and a browser, as shown in FIG. 5, for example. The application
manager controls a life cycle for an interactive application using
the AIT data for example. And, the browser performs a function of
displaying and processing the interactive application.
FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exterior of a remote controller
configured to control a multimedia device including a flexible
display according to one embodiment of the present invention. In
the following description, an exterior of a remote controller
configured to control a multimedia device including a flexible
display according to one embodiment of the present invention is
explained with reference to FIG. 6. And, the multimedia device may
correspond to the multimedia device shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.
Referring to FIG. 6 (a), a pointer 615 corresponding to a remote
controller 300 is displayed on a screen 610 in a flexible display
for example.
A user is able to move or rotate the remote controller 300 in top
and bottom directions, right and left directions [FIG. 6 (b)] and
front and rear directions [FIG. 6 (c)]. The pointer 615 displayed
on the screen 610 in the flexible display responds to a motion of
the remote controller 300. Since the pointer 615 is displayed by
being shifted in response to a motion of the remote controller 300
in a 3D space, the remote controller 300 may be named a space
remote controller.
In the example shown in FIG. 6 (b) , if a user moves the remote
controller 300 in the left direction, the pointer 615 displayed on
the screen 610 within the flexible display moves in the left
direction in response to the motion of the remote controller
300.
Information on the motion of the remote controller 300 sensed by a
sensor of the remote controller 300 is transmitted to the
multimedia device. Subsequently, the multimedia device can
calculate coordinates of the pointer 615 from the information on
the motion of the remote controller 300. The multimedia device is
then able to display the pointer 615 to correspond to the
calculated coordinates.
In the example shown in FIG. 6 (c), while a specific button in the
remote controller 300 is pressed, a user moves the remote
controller 300 to get away from the multimedia device. Hence, a
selected region in the screen 610 corresponding to the pointer 615
can be enlarged and displayed by zoom-in. On the contrary, if a
user moves the remote controller 300 to get closer to the
multimedia device. Hence, a selected region in the screen 610
corresponding to the pointer 615 can be reduced and displayed by
zoom-out. On the other hand, if the remote controller 300 gets away
from the multimedia device, a selected region may zoom out. If the
remote controller 300 gets closer to the multimedia device, a
selected region may zoom in.
FIG. 7 is a detailed diagram of inner component modules of a remote
controller configured to control a multimedia device including a
flexible display according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
Referring to FIG. 7, a remote controller 300 may include a wireless
communication unit 325, a user input unit 335, a sensor unit 340,
an output unit 350, a power supply unit 360, a storage unit 370 and
a control unit 380 for example.
The wireless communication unit 325 transceives signals with a
multimedia device 700. And, the multimedia device 700 may
correspond to the multimedia device shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.
According to the present embodiment, the remote controller 300 may
include an RF module 321 configured to transceive signals with the
multimedia device 700 by RF communication protocol. And, the remote
controller 300 may include an IR module 323 configured to
transceive signals with the multimedia device 700 by IR
communication protocol.
According to the present embodiment, the remote controller 300
transmits a signal containing an information on a motion of the
remote controller 300 and the like to the multimedia device 700 via
the RF module 321.
The remote controller 300 can receive a signal transmitted by the
multimedia device 700 via the RF module 321 as well. And, the
remote controller 300 can transmit a command for power-on/off,
channel switching, volume adjustment or the like to the multimedia
device 700 via the IR module 323 if necessary.
The user input unit 335 may include at least one of a keypad,
buttons, a touchpad, a touchscreen and the like. A user is able to
input a command associated with the multimedia device 700 to the
remote controller 300 by manipulating the user input unit 335. The
sensor unit 340 may include at least one of a gyro sensor 341 and
an acceleration sensor 343. In particular, the gyro sensor 341 is
configured to sense the information on the motion of the remote
controller 300.
For instance, the gyro sensor 341 can sense the information on an
action of the remote controller 300 with reference to x-, y- and
z-axes. And, the acceleration sensor 343 can sense the information
on a moving speed of the remote controller 300 and the like.
Meanwhile, the sensor unit 340 may further include a distance
measurement sensor configured to sense a distance from the
multimedia device 700.
The output unit 350 can output a video or audio signal
corresponding to the manipulation on the user input unit 335 or to
the signal transmitted by the multimedia device 700. Through the
output unit 350, a user can recognize whether the user input unit
335 is manipulated or whether the multimedia device 700 is
controlled.
For instance, the output unit 350 may include at least one of an
LED module 351, which is turned on if the user input unit 335 is
manipulated or a signal is transceived with the multimedia device
700 via the wireless communication unit 325, a vibration module
353, which generates vibration if the user input unit 335 is
manipulated or a signal is transceived with the multimedia device
700 via the wireless communication unit 325, an audio (sound)
output module 355, which outputs an audio if the user input unit
335 is manipulated or a signal is transceived with the multimedia
device 700 via the wireless communication unit 325, and a display
module 357, which outputs a video or image if the user input unit
335 is manipulated or a signal is transceived with the multimedia
device 700 via the wireless communication unit 325.
The power supply unit 360 supplies a power to the remote controller
300. If the remote controller 300 does not move for a prescribed
duration, the power supply unit 360 can save power consumption by
stopping a power supply. If a prescribed key provided to the remote
controller 300 is manipulated, the power supply unit 360 resumes
the power supply.
The storage unit 370 can store various kinds of programs,
application data and the like, which are required for controls
and/or operations of the remote controller 300. If the remote
controller 300 transceives signals with the multimedia device 700
via the RF module 321 by wireless, signals are transceived on a
prescribed frequency band between the remote controller 300 and the
multimedia device 700. The control unit 380 of the remote
controller 300 can save information on a frequency band for
transceiving signals with the multimedia device 700 paired with the
remote controller 300 by wireless and the like in the storage unit
370 and is then able to refer to the saved information.
The control unit 380 controls all particulars related to the
controls of the remote controller 300. The control unit 380 can
transmit a signal corresponding to a prescribed key manipulation of
the user input unit 335 or a signal corresponding to a motion of
the remote controller 300 sensed by the sensor unit 340 to the
multimedia device 700 via the wireless communication unit 325.
In particular, the present invention is characterized in that a
user interface unit of a multimedia device according to one
embodiment of the present embodiment is designed to receive a
command signal from the remote controller 300 that transmits an
input signal attributed to a user's motion.
FIG. 8 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 8, a multimedia device 800 according to one
embodiment of the present invention may include a guide bar 810 and
a flexible display 820 supported by the guide bar 810. In the
flexible display 820, a part of the flexible display 820 rolled up
on an outer circumference of the guide bar 810 shall be named a
first region and a part of the flexible display 820 not rolled up
on the outer circumference of the flexible display 820 shall be
named a second region 830. A screen is situated in the second
region 830 of the flexible display 820 not rolled up on the outer
circumference of the guide bar 820.
The multimedia device 800 receives a content and metadata
corresponding to the content from a source device and then extracts
an aspect ratio information from the received metadata. In this
case, an aspect ratio means a width to length ratio of a screen.
Using the aspect ratio information, it is able to obtain an aspect
ratio of a screen optimized for the received content.
The multimedia device 800 adjusts a vertical width W1 of the second
region 830 of the flexible display 820 in accordance with the
extracted aspect ratio information. In particular, the adjustment
of the vertical width W1 of the second region 830 is performed in a
manner of adjusting an extent of rolling up the flexible display
820 on an outer circumference of the guide bar 810.
As a result of the aspect ratio information extracted from the
received metadata by the multimedia device 800, assume that an
aspect ratio of the screen optimized for the content is 21:9.
In a storage unit of the multimedia device 800, a function or
lookup table for determining the vertical width W1 of the second
region 830 may be saved in advance in accordance with the aspect
ratio of the screen of the flexible display 820.
The multimedia device 800 extracts the aspect ratio information of
the screen optimized for the content and then detects the function
or a value in the lookup table by accessing the storage unit.
Subsequently, the multimedia device 800 determines the vertical
width W1 of the second region 830 using the detected function or
value in the lookup table.
Subsequently, the multimedia device 800 detects a vertical width W1
of the second region 830 in a current state and is then able to
determine whether to decrease the vertical width W1 of the second
region 830 by rolling up the flexible display 820 on the outer
circumference of the guide bar 810 or increase the vertical width
W1 of the second region 830 by unrolling the part of the flexible
display 820 rolled up on the outer circumference of the guide bar
810, depending on the determined vertical width W1 of the second
region 830.
According to the present invention, since a size of the screen
within the flexible display 820 can be adjusted to fit the aspect
ratio of 21:9 optimized for the received content, a user can watch
the content on a full screen without margin to increase user's
immersion in the content.
FIG. 9 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 9, a multimedia device 900 according to another
embodiment of the present invention may include a guide bar 910 and
a flexible display 920 supported by the guide bar 910. In the
flexible display 920, a part of the flexible display 920 rolled up
on an outer circumference of the guide bar 910 shall be named a
first region and a part of the flexible display 920 not rolled up
on the outer circumference of the flexible display 920 shall be
named a second region 930. A screen is situated in the second
region 930 of the flexible display 920 not rolled up on the outer
circumference of the guide bar 920.
The multimedia device 900 receives a content and metadata
corresponding to the content from a source device and then extracts
an aspect ratio information from the received metadata.
According to the present embodiment, assume a case that the user
watches the received content shown in FIG. 9 in the course of
watching the former content shown in FIG. 8. And, assume that a
result of the extraction of the aspect ratio information extracted
from the received metadata by the multimedia device 900 indicates
that an aspect ratio of a screen optimized for the content is
16:9.
The multimedia device 900 extracts the aspect ratio information of
the screen optimized for the content and then detects the function
or a value in the lookup table by accessing the storage unit.
Subsequently, the multimedia device 900 determines the vertical
width W2 of the second region 930 using the detected function or
value in the lookup table.
Subsequently, the multimedia device 900 detects a vertical width W2
of the second region 930 in a current state. Since the content of
the former embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is assumed as currently
watched, the vertical width W2 of the second region 930 in the
current state may be equal to the vertical width W1 shown in FIG.
8. In particular, since the second region 930 in the current state
is made to fit the aspect ratio of 21:9, as shown in FIG. 8, the
multimedia device 900 increases the vertical width W2 of the second
region 930 by unrolling the part of the flexible display 920 rolled
up on the outer circumference of the guide bar 910 in accordance
with the determined vertical width W2 of the second region 930.
Therefore, the multimedia device according to the present invention
automatically adjusts a size of the screen within the flexible
display depending on the aspect ratio of the screen optimized for
the content despite a type of the content is changed, whereby a
user can watch the content on a full screen without a margin.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for one example of a GUI displayed on a screen
in a multimedia device according to another embodiment of the
present invention.
Referring to FIG. 10, a multimedia device according to another
embodiment of the present invention displays a GUI 1000 for
receiving a command signal for selecting an aspect ratio of a
screen within a flexible display.
A user may desire to watch a content at an aspect ratio of a screen
preferred by the user without using an aspect ratio information
included in a received metadata. In this case, the multimedia
device displays the GUI 1000 on the screen within the flexible
display and then receives a user selection for an aspect ratio of
the screen.
In particular, the user selects the aspect ratio of the screen in a
manner of selecting one of check boxes 1011 to 1014 corresponding
to various aspect ratios included in the GUI 1000, respectively. In
more particular, the user shifts a pointer 1020, which corresponds
to a motion of the remote controller 300, to one of the check boxes
1011 to 1014 and is then able to select an aspect ratio, using the
remote controler 300 described in detail with reference to FIG. 6
and FIG. 7.
In case that the user selects a direct input menu 1014, the user
can input a width to length ratio of a screen to an input window
1030 using numerals. According to the present embodiment, a numeral
pad for inputting numerals to the input window 1030 may be included
in the GUI 1000.
If a user input for an aspect ratio of a screen is made through the
GUI 1000, the multimedia device adjusts a vertical width of a
second region of the flexible display in accordance with the user
input instead of aspect ratio information in metadata.
Meanwhile, it may happen that an aspect ratio information optimized
for a content is not included in metadata of the content received
by the multimedia device. In this case, the multimedia device can
adjust a vertical width of the second region of the flexible
display in accordance with an aspect ratio inputted by a user.
FIG. 11 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 11, a multimedia device 1100 according to another
embodiment of the present invention may include a guide bar 1110
and a flexible display 1120 supported by the guide bar 1110. In the
flexible display 1120, a part of the flexible display 1120 rolled
up on an outer circumference of the guide bar 1110 shall be named a
first region and a part of the flexible display 1120 not rolled up
on the outer circumference of the flexible display 1120 shall be
named a second region 1130. A screen is situated in the second
region 1130 of the flexible display 1120 not rolled up on the outer
circumference of the guide bar 1120.
The multimedia device 1100 receives a content and metadata
corresponding to the content from a source device.
The multimedia device 1100 detects whether a caption data (e.g., a
subtitle image, a text data, etc.) exists except video data
included in the received content.
The multimedia device 1100 determines whether a separation command
signal for displaying the video data and the caption data in a
manner of separating the video data and the caption data from each
other is received by being included in the received content or
through a user input.
In response to the received separation command signal, the
multimedia device 1100 partitions a screen within the second region
1130 of the flexible display 1120 and then controls the video data
and the caption data to be displayed on a first partitioned region
1131 and a second partitioned region 1132, respectively.
In this case, an aspect ratio of the screen means an aspect ratio
of the first partitioned region 1131 for displaying the video data
thereon. Hence, in case of receiving the separation command signal,
the multimedia device 1100 adjusts a vertical width W3 of the
second region 1130 of the flexible display 1120 to enable a size of
the first partitioned region 1131 to match the aspect ratio. In
particular, the multimedia device 1100 adjusts the vertical width
W3 of the second region 1130 of the flexible display 1120 in a
manner of adding a vertical width W5 for the second partitioned
region 1132 by enabling the size of the first partitioned region
1131 to match the aspect ratio.
Regarding a method of determining an aspect ratio of a screen, as
mentioned in the foregoing description, an aspect ratio information
can be extracted from a received metadata or an aspect ratio
selecting signal can be inputted by a user through a GUI.
Regarding the adjustment of the vertical width W3 of the second
region 1130 of the flexible display 1120, a vertical width W4 of
the first partitioned region 1131 is determined using the function
or value in the lookup table detected from the storage unit in
accordance with the aspect ratio of the screen and the vertical
width W5 of the second partitioned region 1132 is then added to the
vertical width W4 of the first partitioned region 1131. In this
case, as the vertical width W5 of the second partitioned region
1132, a preset value may be saved in the storage unit to prepare
for a case of a presence of caption data.
According to the present invention, if there is a caption data to
be displayed in a manner of being separated from a video data, a
screen region is facilitated to increase in a manner of unrolling
the flexible display 1120 rolled up on the outer circumference of
the guide bar 1110 and the video data and the caption data are
separately displayed. Therefore, the present invention can solve
the problem that an image is blocked by a caption.
FIG. 12 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 12, a multimedia device 1200 according to another
embodiment of the present invention may include a guide bar 1210
and a flexible display 1220 supported by the guide bar 1210. In the
flexible display 1220, a part of the flexible display 1220 rolled
up on an outer circumference of the guide bar 1210 shall be named a
first region and a part of the flexible display 1220 not rolled up
on the outer circumference of the flexible display 1220 shall be
named a second region 1230. A screen is situated in the second
region 1230 of the flexible display 1220 not rolled up on the outer
circumference of the guide bar 1220.
The multimedia device 1200 receives a content and metadata
corresponding to the content from a source device.
The multimedia device 1200 detects whether a caption data (e.g., a
subtitle image, a text data, etc.) exists except video data
included in the received content. In doing so, the multimedia
device 1200 can detect the number of caption data.
The multimedia device 1200 detects whether a caption data (e.g., a
subtitle image, a text data, etc.) exists except the video data
included in the received content. According to the present
embodiment, assume a case that a plurality of caption data
respectively consisting of a plurality of languages exist.
The multimedia device 1200 determines whether a separation command
signal for displaying the video data and the caption data in a
manner of separating the video data and the caption data from each
other is received by being included in the received content or
through a user input.
In response to the received separation command signal, the
multimedia device 1200 partitions a screen within the second region
1230 of the flexible display 1220 and then controls the video data
and the caption data to be displayed on a first partitioned region
1231 and a second partitioned region 1232, respectively.
In this case, an aspect ratio of the screen means an aspect ratio
of the first partitioned region 1231 for displaying the video data
thereon. Hence, in case of receiving the separation command signal,
the multimedia device 1200 adjusts a vertical width W3 of the
second region 1230 of the flexible display 1220 to enable a size of
the first partitioned region 1231 to match the aspect ratio. In
particular, the multimedia device 1200 adjusts the vertical width
W3 of the second region 1230 of the flexible display 1220 in a
manner of adding a vertical width W5 for the second partitioned
region 1232 by enabling the size of the first partitioned region
1231 to match the aspect ratio.
Regarding the adjustment of the vertical width W3 of the second
region 1230 of the flexible display 1220, a vertical width W4 of
the first partitioned region 1231 is determined using the function
or value in the lookup table detected from the storage unit in
accordance with the aspect ratio of the screen and the vertical
width W5 of the second partitioned region 1232 is then added to the
vertical width W4 of the first partitioned region 1231. In this
case, the vertical width W5 of the second partitioned region 1232
is set wider than that of a case of one caption data. As the
vertical width W5 of the second partitioned region 1232, a preset
value may be saved in the storage unit to prepare for a case that
the caption data consisting of a plurality of languages need to be
simultaneously displayed.
According to a related art, when a content is watched in a manner
that a caption in Korean and a caption in English are
simultaneously displayed due to a language study or the like, it
may cause a problem that user's immersion in the content is
degraded due to a considerable size occupied by the caption data
displayed by overlaying the screen.
According to the present invention, in case that a plurality of
caption data respectively consisting of a plurality of languages
exist, a screen region can be easily increased by unrolling the
flexible display 1220 rolled up on the outer circumference of the
guide bar 1210. And, a plurality of the caption data are
simultaneously displayed by being separated from the video data.
Therefore, the present invention can solve the problem that an
image is blocked by a caption.
FIG. 13 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 13, a multimedia device 1300 according to another
embodiment of the present invention may include a guide bar 1310
and a flexible display 1320 supported by the guide bar 1310. In the
flexible display 1320, a part of the flexible display 1320 rolled
up on an outer circumference of the guide bar 1310 shall be named a
first region and a part of the flexible display 1320 not rolled up
on the outer circumference of the flexible display 1320 shall be
named a second region 1330. A screen is situated in the second
region 1330 of the flexible display 1320 not rolled up on the outer
circumference of the guide bar 1320.
The multimedia device 1300 receives a content and metadata
corresponding to the content from a source device.
The multimedia device 1300 determines whether a partition command
signal for partitioning the screen of the flexible display 1320 is
received through a user input.
In response to the received partition command signal, the
multimedia device 1300 partitions a screen within the second region
1330 of the flexible display 1320 and then controls a video data
and a setup data to be displayed on a first partitioned region 1331
and a second partitioned region 1332, respectively. In this case,
the setup data means various kinds of data corresponding to such a
signal for configuring an environment of the multimedia device 1300
as a volume control signal inputted by a user, a channel
information signal, a screen brightness control signal and the
like. According to an embodiment, if a control signal for
displaying the setup data is detected, the multimedia device 1300
may recognize the control signal as the partition command
signal.
In this case, an aspect ratio of the screen means an aspect ratio
of the first partitioned region 1331 for displaying the video data
thereon. Hence, in case of receiving the partition command signal,
the multimedia device 1300 adjusts a vertical width W3 of the
second region 1330 of the flexible display 1320 to enable a size of
the first partitioned region 1331 to match the aspect ratio. In
particular, the multimedia device 1300 adjusts the vertical width
W3 of the second region 1330 of the flexible display 1320 in a
manner of adding a vertical width W5 for the second partitioned
region 1332 by enabling the size of the first partitioned region
1331 to match the aspect ratio.
Regarding the adjustment of the vertical width W3 of the second
region 1330 of the flexible display 1320, a vertical width W4 of
the first partitioned region 1331 is determined using the function
or value in the lookup table detected from the storage unit in
accordance with the aspect ratio of the screen and the vertical
width W5 of the second partitioned region 1332 is then added to the
vertical width W4 of the first partitioned region 1331. In this
case, as the vertical width W5 of the second partitioned region
1332, a preset value may be saved in the storage unit to prepare
for a case of a presence of a user input for displaying the setup
data separately.
According to the related art, when a user adjusts a volume and the
like in the course of watching a content, since a setup data
corresponding to a volume control signal is displayed by overlaying
the video data, it may cause a problem that user's immersion in the
content is degraded.
According to the present invention, since a setup data can be
displayed separately from a video data in a manner of partitioning
a screen within a flexible display, the present invention can solve
the problem that an image is blocked by the setup data.
FIG. 14 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 14, a multimedia device 1400 according to another
embodiment of the present invention may include a guide bar 1410
and a flexible display 1420 supported by the guide bar 1410. In the
flexible display 1420, a part of the flexible display 1420 rolled
up on an outer circumference of the guide bar 1410 shall be named a
first region and a part of the flexible display 1420 not rolled up
on the outer circumference of the flexible display 1420 shall be
named a second region 1430. A screen is situated in the second
region 1430 of the flexible display 1420 not rolled up on the outer
circumference of the guide bar 1420.
The multimedia device 1400 receives a content and metadata
corresponding to the content from a source device. According to the
present embodiment, assume a case that the multimedia device 1400
receives widget application data of weather, stock market
information and the like from an external server.
The multimedia device 1400 determines whether a partition command
signal for partitioning the screen of the flexible display 1420 is
received through a user input.
In response to the received partition command signal, the
multimedia device 1400 partitions a screen within the second region
1430 of the flexible display 1420 and then controls a video data
and the widget application data to be displayed on a first
partitioned region 1431 and a second partitioned region 1432,
respectively.
According to the present invention, if a user intends to know the
weather or stock market information by real time in the course of
watching the content, a screen for displaying the widget
application data can be easily secured in a manner of increasing a
screen region by unrolling the flexible display 1420 rolled up on
the outer circumference of the guide bar 1420. Moreover, since a
region for displaying the video data and a region for displaying
the widget application data are separately provided within the
content, it is advantageous in that user's immersion in the content
can be maintained.
FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are diagrams of a multimedia device according
to another embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 15, a multimedia device 1500 according to another
embodiment of the present invention may include a guide bar 1510
and a flexible display 1520 supported by the guide bar 1510. In the
flexible display 1520, a part of the flexible display 1520 rolled
up on an outer circumference of the guide bar 1510 shall be named a
first region and a part of the flexible display 1520 not rolled up
on the outer circumference of the flexible display 1520 shall be
named a second region 1530. A screen is situated in the second
region 1530 of the flexible display 1520 not rolled up on the outer
circumference of the guide bar 1520.
The multimedia device 1500 receives a plurality of contents and a
plurality of metadata respectively corresponding to a plurality of
the contents from a source device. In particular, the multimedia
device 1500 may receive a plurality of contents from source devices
of the same kind (e.g., a case of receiving two broadcast programs
from two broadcasting stations, respectively). Alternatively, the
multimedia device 1500 may receive a plurality of contents from a
plurality of different source devices, respectively (e.g., a case
of receiving a broadcast program signal from a broadcasting station
and a VOD content from an IP server).
The multimedia device 1500 determines whether a partition command
signal for partitioning the screen of the flexible display 1520 is
received through a user input. In case of intending to watch a
plurality of contents simultaneously, a user can transmit the
partition command signal to the multimedia device 1500 using a
remote controller. According to the present embodiment, assume a
case that a user intends to watch two contents simultaneously.
In response to the received partition command signal, the
multimedia device 1400 partitions a screen within the second region
1530 of the flexible display 1520 and then controls a video data of
a first content and a video data of a second content to be
displayed on a first partitioned region 1531 and a second
partitioned region 1532, respectively. In doing so, an audio data
of the first content is outputted through an audio output unit
built in the multimedia device 1500 and an audio data of the second
content may be outputted through an external audio output device
(e.g., earphones, etc.) connected via an external device interface
unit of the multimedia device 1500.
The multimedia device 1500 can determine a vertical width W6 of the
flexible display 1530, a horizontal width W7 of the first
partitioned region 1531 and a horizontal width W8 of the second
partitioned region 1532 in accordance with an aspect ratio of a
screen. In this case, the aspect ratio of the screen may include an
aspect ratio included in the received content or an aspect ratio
selected by a user through a GUI. In case that a user selects an
aspect ratio through the GUI, the user may select aspect ratios for
a plurality of contents, respectively. Alternatively, the user may
select an aspect ratio for one content only and can use aspect
ratio information included in the metadata for another content.
The following description is made on the assumption of a case of
obtaining an information indicating that an aspect ratio optimized
for a first content is 21:9 from a metadata corresponding to the
first content and obtaining an information indicating that an
aspect ratio optimized for a second content is 16:9 from a metadata
corresponding to the second content.
First of all, based on a horizontal width rate included in the
aspect ratio information of the first content and a horizontal
width rate included in the aspect ratio information of the second
content, the multimedia device 1500 determines the horizontal width
W7 of the first partitioned region 1531 and the horizontal width W8
of the second partitioned region 1532. In case of applying the same
screen partition unit to each of the first content and the second
content, the horizontal width W7 of the first partitioned region
1531 and the horizontal width W8 of the second partitioned region
1532 may correspond to a ratio of 21:16 on a total horizontal width
of the flexible display 1520.
Once the multimedia device 1500 determines the horizontal width W7
of the first partitioned region 1531 and the horizontal width W8 of
the second partitioned region 1532, the multimedia device 1500
determines the vertical width W6 of the second region 1530 of the
flexible display 1520. In particular, it is able to determine the
vertical width W6 of the second region 1530 of the flexible display
1520 using an aspect ratio information corresponding to one of the
first and second contents, which requires a screen having a greater
vertical width. FIG. 15 shows one example of a case that each of
the first and second contents needs a screen of the same vertical
width. FIG. 16 shows one example of a case that the second contents
needs a screen of a vertical width greater than that of a screen of
the first content. In case of FIG. 16, margins may exist on top and
bottom ends of the first partitioned region 1531 for displaying the
video data of the first content.
Alternatively, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, when video data
in the first content is displayed on a first partitioned region
1531, the multimedia device 1500 can display the video data in the
first content in a manner that a margin exists on a top or bottom
side of the first partitioned region 1531 only by a preset
condition. For instance, when a child intends to watch the video
data in the first content, the video data in the first content may
be displayed in a manner of inclining toward the bottom side in the
first portioned region 1531. The preset condition may include a
condition for receiving a command signal for selecting a display
region of the video data in the first content within the first
partitioned region from a user or a condition for receiving a
control signal outputted to the controller by a sensor configured
to sense user's eye(s).
FIG. 17 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 17, a multimedia device 1700 according to another
embodiment of the present invention may include a guide bar 1710
and a flexible display 1720 supported by the guide bar 1710. In the
flexible display 1720, a part of the flexible display 1720 rolled
up on an outer circumference of the guide bar 1710 shall be named a
first region and a part of the flexible display 1720 not rolled up
on the outer circumference of the flexible display 1720 shall be
named a second region 1730. A screen is situated in the second
region 1730 of the flexible display 1720 not rolled up on the outer
circumference of the guide bar 1720.
The multimedia device 1700 receives a content and metadata
corresponding to the content from a source device. According to the
present embodiment, assume a case that a plurality of contents are
received. And, assume a case that a first command signal for
partitioning a screen is received from a user to watch a plurality
of the contents simultaneously.
The multimedia device 1700 determines whether a caption data (e.g.,
a subtitle image, a text data, etc.) exists except the video data
included in the received content.
The multimedia device 1700 determines whether a second command
signal for displaying the video data and the caption data in a
manner of separating the video data and the caption data from each
other is received by being included in the received content or
through a user input.
In response to the received first and second command signals, the
multimedia device 1700 partitions a screen within the second region
1730 of the flexible display 1720 and then controls a video data of
a first content, a video data of a second content and a video data
of a third content to be displayed on a first partitioned region
1731, a second partitioned region 1732 and a third partitioned
region 1733, respectively.
FIG. 18 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to a further
embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 18, a multimedia device 1800 according to a
further embodiment of the present invention controls a light source
of a flexible display 1820 to be turned on in part in standby mode,
thereby enabling the flexible display 1820 to play a role as an
illumination (e.g., an indirect illumination, a mood illumination,
etc.). If the multimedia device 1800 is in the standby mode, it may
mean a case that a user does not use a function (e.g., a content
watching, a search via internet, etc.) unique to the multimedia
device 1800. And, the user is able to adjust a vertical width of
the second region 1830 of the flexible display 1820 by controlling
a desired extent of the flexible display 1820 rolled up on an outer
circumference of a guide bar 1810.
FIG. 19 is a diagram of a multimedia device according to another
further embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 19, when a multimedia device 1900 according to
another further embodiment of the present invention is in standby
mode, the multimedia device 1900 can play a role as an information
guide in displaying information received from another indoor home
device or a portable or mobile device of a user. In doing so,
assume that the multimedia device 1900 is paired with the indoor
home device or the user's portable device.
The multimedia device 1900 is able to receive such information as a
presence or non-presence of an absent call, a current weather
information, an inner-house temperature and the like from the
paired indoor home device (e.g., a phone, a thermometer, an
illumination, etc.) or the paired portable device (e.g., a mobile
phone, etc.) of the user. The multimedia device 1900 processes the
received information into graphic data or text data and is then
able to display the processed data through a flexible display 1920.
And, the user is able to adjust a vertical width of a second region
1930 of the flexible display 1920 by controlling a desired extent
of the flexible display 1920 rolled up on an outer circumference of
a guide bar 1910.
FIG. 20 is a diagram to describe one example of adjusting a height
of a multimedia device according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
Referring to FIG. 20, a multimedia device 2000 according to one
embodiment of the present invention may include a guide bar 2010
and a flexible display 2020 supported by the guide bar 2010.
The guide bar 2010 is installed as height-adjustable. For instance,
a string 2030 may be attached to the guide bar 2010 to adjust a
height of the guide bar 2010. A user can adjust the height of the
guide bar 2010 by adjusting a length of the string 2030. Hence, the
user is able to watch a content while a height of the flexible
display 2020 is adjusted to fit user's eye level.
According to an embodiment, a distance detecting sensor (not shown
in the drawing) may be provided to each of a top and bottom of the
guide bar 2010. If the guide bar 2010 ascends in a predetermined
distance from a ceiling or descends in a predetermined distance
from a ground, the distance detecting sensor senses the
corresponding ascent or descent to stop the ascent or descent of
the guide bar 2010.
FIG. 21 is a diagram for one example of a multimedia device having
a sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 21, a multimedia device 2100 according to one
embodiment of present invention may include a guide bar 2110 and a
flexible display 2120 supported by the guide bar 2110.
The multimedia device 2100 includes a sensor S for recognizing
user's eye(s). The multimedia device 2100 recognizes the user's eye
through the sensor S and is then able to adjust a height of the
guide bar 2110 to control the sensor S and the user's eye to be
situated in parallel with each other on the same level. If the
sensor S and the user's eye are situated in parallel with each
other on the same level, it may mean that the sensor S and the
user's eye just need to be situated in a preset error range without
being exactly situated on 180.degree. line. For instance, the
height of the guide bar 2110 can be adjusted by a length of a
string 2130 attached to the guide bar 2110.
According to the present invention, the heights of the guide bar
2110 and the flexible display 2120 can be automatically adjusted to
fit the user's eye level, whereby user's convenience can be
enhanced.
In the description with reference to FIG. 21, the sensor S includes
a sensor configured to recognize user's eye(s). Alternatively, a
sensor for recognizing a user's face is available as well. In the
description with reference to FIG. 21, the sensor S is provided to
a center of a bottom end of the flexible display 2120.
Alternatively, a location of the sensor S is variable depending on
an embodiment.
FIG. 22 is a diagram for another example of a multimedia device
having a sensor according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
Referring to FIG. 22, a multimedia device 2200 according to one
embodiment of present invention may include a guide bar 2210 and a
flexible display 2220 supported by the guide bar 2210.
The multimedia device 2200 may include a motion recognition sensor
(not shown in the drawing) configured to recognize a user's motion.
The multimedia device 2200 recognizes a user's motion using the
motion recognition sensor and is then able to adjust a height of
the guide bar 2210 in response to a control signal corresponding to
the recognized motion. And, the control signal corresponding to the
user's motion can be saved in a storage unit of the multimedia
device 2200 in advance.
For instance, assume a case that a first motion, which is performed
in a manner that a user raises a hand or arm of the user upward, is
saved by matching a first control signal of lifting up the guide
bar 2210. And, assume a case that a second motion, which is
performed in a manner that a user lowers down a hand or arm of the
user, is saved by matching a second control signal of lifting down
the guide bar 2210.
If a user takes the first motion, the multimedia device 2200
detects the first motion through the motion recognition sensor and
then adjusts a height of the flexible display 2220 by lifting up
the guide bar 2210 in response to the first control signal. If a
user takes the second motion, the multimedia device 2200 detects
the second motion through the motion recognition sensor and then
adjusts a height of the flexible display 2220 by lifting down the
guide bar 2210 in response to the second control signal. For
instance, the height adjustment of the guide bar 2210 can be
adjusted by the length of the string 2230 attached to the guide bar
2210.
According to the present invention, since a user can adjust the
heights of the guide bar 2210 and the flexible display 2220 to fit
a user's eye level by simply taking an intuitive motion, user's
convenience can be enhanced.
FIG. 23 is a flowchart for a method of controlling a multimedia
device according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 23, a multimedia device receives a content and
metadata corresponding to the content from a source device [S2310].
Subsequently, the multimedia device determines whether there is a
user input for setting an aspect ratio of a screen [S2320]. If
there is the user input for setting the aspect ratio of the screen,
the multimedia device adjusts a size of the screen by adjusting an
extent of a flexible display rolled up on an outer circumference of
a guide bar in accordance with the inputted aspect ratio [S2340].
On the contrary, if there is no user input for setting the aspect
ratio of the screen, the multimedia device extracts an aspect ratio
information from the received metadata [S2330] and then adjusts a
size of the screen by adjusting an extent of the flexible display
rolled up on the outer circumference of the guide bar in accordance
with the extracted aspect ratio information [S2340]. Optionally,
the step of determining whether there is the user input for setting
the aspect ratio of the screen may be skipped and the step S2330
can be performed in direct, depending on an embodiment.
Although the description of the present invention is explained with
reference to each of the accompanying drawings for clarity, it is
possible to design new embodiment(s) by merging the embodiments
shown in the accompanying drawings with each other. And, if a
recording medium readable by a computer, in which programs for
executing the embodiments mentioned in the foregoing description
are recorded, is designed in necessity of those skilled in the art,
it may belong to the scope of the appended claims and their
equivalents.
A multimedia device and operating method thereof according to the
present invention may be non-limited by the configurations and
methods of the embodiments mentioned in the foregoing description.
And, the embodiments mentioned in the foregoing description can be
configured in a manner of being selectively combined with one
another entirely or in part to enable various modifications.
Meanwhile, a method of operating a multimedia device according to
the present invention can be implemented with processor-readable
codes in a processor-readable recording medium provided to a
network device. The processor-readable medium may include all kinds
of recording devices capable of storing data readable by a
processor. The processor-readable medium may include one of ROM,
RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tapes, floppy discs, optical data storage
devices, and the like for example and also include such a
carrier-wave type implementation as a transmission via Internet.
Furthermore, as the processor-readable recording medium is
distributed to a computer system connected via network,
processor-readable codes can be saved and executed according to a
distributive system.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Both apparatus and method inventions are mentioned in this
specification and descriptions of both of the apparatus and method
inventions may be complementarily applicable to each other.
The present invention relates to a multimedia device including a
flexible display and controlling method thereof. Therefore, the
present invention has industrial applicability.
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