Patent Application
20120274656
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0041165 (filed on Apr. 29, 2011) and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0027316 (filed on Mar. 16, 2012), which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
The present invention relates to communications and in particular, to controlling display setting according to an external device connected to user equipment.
User equipment has advanced so as to perform multiple functions such as communicating voice and data with others; exchanging text messages or multimedia messages; sending e-mails; capturing a still or moving image; playing back a music or a video file, playing a game, and a receiving a broadcast signal. Lately, such multi-functional user equipment has received greater attention for new applications. Instead of using multiple independent devices, a user prefers to use single multifunction-enabled user equipment. Portability and/or mobility should be considered in design of user equipment, but such user equipment has limitations in size. Accordingly, there also are limitations in display screen size, screen resolution, and speaker performance.
In order to overcome such limitations, an external device having a large display size, better speaker performance, and connectable to a mobile terminal has been introduced. Such external device connected to the mobile terminal can provide data, music files, and other content stored in the mobile terminal in better performance. Accordingly, there is a demand for developing technologies in hardware and software to support interactions between the mobile terminal and the connected external device.
This summery is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description with reference to the drawings. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Embodiments of the present invention overcome the above disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also, the present invention is not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and an embodiment of the present invention may not overcome any of the problems described above.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, user equipment may display image data on a display unit of an external device when the user equipment is connected to the external device.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, user equipment may control a display setting according to a display unit of an external device when the user equipment is connected to the external device.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, user equipment may control a dot per inch (DPI) value determined for an external device when the user equipment is connected to the external device.
In accordance with further still another aspect of the present invention, user equipment en may display a graphic user interface on a display unit of an external device with a screen layout determined for the display unit of an external device when the user equipment is connected to the external device.
In accordance with further still another aspect of the present invention, in response to a request for display unit information of a display unit displaying image data, user equipment may provide display unit information of the user equipment regardless of whether the user equipment is connected to an external device.
In accordance with further still another aspect of the present invention, user equipment may restore a DPI value of the user equipment although it is changed due to connection to an external device when an activated application does not dynamically provides a graphic user interface in real time according to a display unit that displays the graphic user interface.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method may be provided for controlling a display setting at user equipment connected to an external device. The method may include displaying image data on a first display unit of the user equipment based on a first display setting, sensing a connection between the user equipment and the external device, obtaining display unit information from the external device, determining the second display setting based on the Obtained display unit information, reconfiguring the image data according to the determined second display setting, and displaying the reconfigured image data on a second display unit of the external device based on a presence of the sensed connection.
The determining the second display setting may include extracting a screen size and a screen resolution of the second display unit from the obtained display unit information, selecting a dots per inch (DPI) value from a DPI table based on the extracted screen size and the extracted screen resolution of the second display unit, and determining the second display setting based on the selected DPI value. The DPI table may include a plurality of DPI values associated with a plurality of screen sizes and screen resolutions.
The reconfiguring the image data may include determining a screen layout based the selected DPI value included in the second display setting and reconfiguring the image data with the determined screen layout.
The reconfiguring the image data may include updating, by an application framework, a default DPI value included in system configuration information with the selected DPI value, wherein the default DPI value is a DPI vale determined for the user equipment before the connection, notifying, by the application framework, of applications that the system configuration information is updated with the selected DPI value, determining, by the applications, a screen layout based on the selected DPI value, and producing the image data., by the applications, with the determined screen layout.
The method may further include activating the second display unit of the external device after sensing the connection between the user equipment to the external device, transmitting the reconfigured image data to external device through the connection between the user equipment and the external device, and controlling the external device to display the reconfigured image data through the second display unit.
The method may further include sensing an absence of the connection between the user equipment and the external device, activating the first display unit of the user equipment, restoring the first display setting, and displaying the image data on the first display unit based on the restored first display setting.
The restoring the first display setting may include updating, by an application framework, an updated DPI value in system configuration information with a default DPI value, wherein the updated DPI value is a DPI value determined for the external device after the connection and the default DPI value is a DPI value determined for the user equipment before the connection, notifying, by the application framework, of applications that the system configuration information is updated with the default DPI value, determining, by the applications, a screen layout based on the default DPI value, and producing the image data, by the applications, with the determined screen layout.
The first display setting and the second display unit may include at least one of a screen size, a screen resolution, a display direction and a DPI value. The display unit information may include at least one of a manufacturer, a model number, a device identifier (ID), a DPI value, a screen size, screen resolutions, aspect ratios, refresh rates, and response times. The reconfiguring the image data may include reconfiguring at least one of the screen size, the screen resolution, the display direction, and the DPI value based on the obtained display unit information.
The method may further include receiving a request for display unit information from an application after the connection and providing the display unit information of the user equipment.
The providing the display unit information may include determining whether the application dynamically provide a graphic user interface in real tune according to the display unit information, providing the display unit information of the external device when the application dynamically provide a graphic user interface according to the display unit information, and otherwise, providing the display unit information of the user equipment.
The method may further include determining whether an activated application dynamically provides a graphic user interface according to change of a display unit when an application is activated after the sensing a connection between the user equipment and the external device, maintaining an updated DPI value included in system configuration information when the activated application dynamically provides a graphic user interface according to change of a display unit, wherein the updated DPI value is a DPI value determined for the external device after the connection, changing the updated DPI value included in system configuration information to a default DPI value when the activated application does not dynamically provide a graphic user interface according to change of a display unit, wherein the default DPI value is a DPI value determined for the user equipment before the connection, and changing the default DPI value back to the updated DPI value in the system configuration information when the application becomes inactivated.
The determining the second display setting may include determining a device identifier (ID) from the obtained display unit information of the second display unit, and obtaining a DPI value corresponding to the second display unit based on the determined device ID. The image data may be reconfigured based on a screen layout determined by the obtained DPI value.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, user equipment may be provided for controlling a display setting according to an external device connected to the user equipment. The user equipment may include a first display unit, a port unit, and a controller. The first display unit may be configured to display image data based on a first display setting. The port unit may be configured to be connected to the external device, to sense whether the user equipment is connected to the external device, and to generate a connection signal or a disconnection signal based on the sensing result. The controller may be configured to activate the external device when receiving the connection signal from the port unit, to obtain display unit information from the external device, to determine a second display setting based on the obtained display unit information, to reconfigure the image data according to the determined second display setting, to transmit the reconfigured to the external device through the pot unit, and to control the external device to display the reconfigured image data on a second display unit of the external device based on a presence of the sensed connection.
The user equipment may further include a memory configured to store a dots per inch (DPI) table including a plurality of DPI values associated with a plurality of screen sizes and screen resolutions In this case, the controller may be configured to extract a screen size and a screen resolution of the second display unit from the obtained display unit information, select a dots per inch (DPI) value from a DPI table based on the extracted screen size and the extracted screen resolution of the second display unit, determine a screen layout based the selected DPI value, and reconfigure the image data with the determined screen layout.
The controller may be configured to update a default DPI value included in system configuration information with the selected DPI value through an application framework. The default DPI value may be a DPI vale determined for the user equipment before the user equipment is connected to the external device. After notification, the controller may be configured to notify of applications that the system configuration information is updated with the selected DPI value. In response to the notification, the application may determine a screen layout based on the selected DPI value and produces the image data with the determined screen layout.
The controller configured to activate the first display unit upon the receipt of the disconnection signal and update, through an application framework, an updated DPI value in system configuration information with a default DPI value. The updated DPI value may be a DPI value determined for the external device after the connection and the default DPI value may be a DPI value determined for the user equipment before the connection. After update, the controller may notify, through the application framework, of applications that the system configuration information is updated with the default DPI value. The controller may receive, from the applications, image data produced with a screen layout based on the default DPI value and control the first display unit to display the received image data.
The first display setting and the second display unit may include at least one of a screen size, a screen resolution, a display direction and a DPI value. The display unit information may include at least one of a manufacturer, a model number, a device identifier (ID), a DPI value, a screen size, screen resolutions, aspect ratios, refresh rates, and response times. In this case, the controller may be configured to control at least one of the screen size, the screen resolution, the display direction, and the DPI value based on the obtained display unit information and to display the image data based on the controlled at least one of the screen size, the screen resolution, the display direction, and the DPI value.
The controller may be configured to receive a request for display unit information from an application after the user equipment is connected to the external device and provide the display unit information of the user equipment to the application through an application framework.
The controller may be also configured to determine whether the application dynamically provide a graphic user interface in real time according to the display unit information, provide the display unit information of the external device when the application dynamically provide a graphic user interface according to the display unit information, and otherwise, provide the display unit information of the user equipment.
The controller may be configured to determine whether an activated application dynamically provides a graphic user interface according to change of a display unit when an application is activated after the user equipment is connected to the external device. When the activated application dynamically provides a graphic user interface according to change of a display unit, the controller may maintain an updated DPI value included in system configuration information. The updated DPI value may be a DPI value determined for the external device after the connection. When the activated application does not dynamically provide a graphic user interface according to change of a display unit, the controller may change the updated DPI value included in system configuration information to a default DPI value. The default DPI value may be a DPI value determined for the user equipment before the connection. When the application becomes inactivated, the controller may be configured to change the default DPI value back to the updated DPI value in the system configuration information.
The above and/or other aspects of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below, in order to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.
Referring to
As shown in
As described above, user equipment 100 may be coupled to external device 200. For example, at least one port unit 170 of user equipment 100 may be coupled to at least one port unit 250 of external device 200. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, user equipment 100 may be coupled to external device 200 in a docking manner. Such coupling manner will be described with reference to
Referring to
Referring to
As shown, user equipment 100 may be coupled o external device 200 in various manners. After user equipment 100 is coupled to external device 200, user equipment 100 may exchange data with external device 200 through port units 170 and 250. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, user equipment 100 may control external device 200 by exchanging data through a communication link formed between port unit 170 of user equipment 100 and port unit 250 of external device 200. Particularly, user equipment 100 may adjust image data according to a display setting of display unit 210 of external device 200, transfer the adjusted image data to external device 200 through port units 170 and 250, and control display unit 210 of external device 200 to display the adjusted image data in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Hereinafter, user equipment 100 will be described in more detail with reference to
Referring to
Wireless communication unit 110 may include at least one module for communicating with other party through a wireless communication system. For example, wireless communication unit 110 may include any or all of a broadcasting signal receiving module, a mobile communication module, a wireless Internet module, a short-distance communication module, and a location information module. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wireless communication unit 110 may be not an essential unit for user equipment 100 because user equipment 100 may be not required to communicate with another party. Accordingly, wireless communication unit 110 may be omitted in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
A/V capturing unit 120 may capture an audio signal and/or a video signal. For example, the A/V input unit 120 may include a camera and a microphone. The camera may process image frames of a still image or a moving image, which are captured by an image sensor in a video call mode or a photographing mode. The microphone may receive an audio signal provided externally in an on-call mode, a recording mode, or a voice recognition mode.
Input unit 130 may be a user interface for receiving input from a user. Such an input unit 130 may be realized in various types. For example, input unit 130 may include any of a keypad, a dome switch, a touch pad, a jog wheel, and a jog switch, but is not limited thereto.
Sensing unit 135 may detect a current status of user equipment 100. For example, sensing unit 135 may sense an opening or closing of a cover of user equipment 100, a location and a bearing of user equipment 100, acceleration and deceleration of user equipment 100, or physical contact with or proximity to a user. Based on the detected status of user equipment 100, sensing unit 135 may generate a sensing signal to control the operation of user equipment 100. For example, in the case of a mobile phone having a sliding type cover, sensing unit 135 may sense whether a cover is opened or closed. Sensing unit 135 may sense whether or not power supply 190 supplies power. Furthermore, sensing unit 135 may sense whether or not port unit 170 is coupled to external device 200. In this case, sensing unit 135 may receive a detection signal from port unit 170 when user equipment 100 is connected to external device 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For example, sensing unit 135 may receive a detection signal from a hot plug detect (HPD) pin when port unit 170 includes a HDMI port. Based on the detection signal, controller 160 may determine that external device 200 is connected to user equipment 100. Upon the receipt of such signal, user equipment 100 may initiate interrupting displaying image data on display unit 160 and starting displaying the image data on external device 200. Such operation will be described in detail with reference to
Video processing unit 140 may process an signal and/or image data tau under the control of controller 160. Particularly, video processing unit 140 may process image data according to a display setting determined based on display unit information of display unit 160. The display setting may include a screen size, a screen resolution, a display direction, and a dot per inch (DPI) value. The display setting may be determined by controller 180 based on display unit information of display unit 160. The display unit information may include a manufacturer, a model number, a device identifier (ID), a DPI value, a screen size, the number of pixels, supporting screen resolutions, supporting aspect ratios, refresh rates, and a response time. Video processing unit 140 may transmit the processed image data to display unit 160 of user equipment 100 in response to controller 160. Furthermore, video processing unit 140 may process image data to be transmitted to external device 200 when user equipment 100 is connected to external device 200. For example, video processing unit 140 may, reconfigure image data based on a display setting of external device 200 and generate a signal based on the reconfigured image data in response to controller 180. The present invention, however, is not limited thereto. Such an operation may be performed by controller 160. The image data may be data for displaying a graphic user interface produced by any software programs installed in user equipment 100, such as an operating system and applications installed in user equipment 100.
Internal memory 150 and external memory 155 may be used as a data storage device of user equipment 100. For example, internal memory 150 and external memory 155 may store information necessary for operating user equipment 100 and performing certain operations requested by a user. Such information may include any software programs and related data. For example, internal memory 150 and external memory 155 may store an operation system data, applications, and related data, received from an external device through a physical cable and downloaded from a related server from through a communication link. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, internal memory 150 and/or external memory 155 may store information on display setting determined for display unit 160 or display unit 210 of external device 200. Furthermore, internal memory 150 and external memory 155 may store device unit information for candidate external devices connectable to user equipment 100. In addition, internal memory 150 and/or external memory 150 may store a DPI table 800 shown in
Display unit 160 may be an output device for visually displaying information. For example, display unit 160 may display image data produced or processed by video processing unit 140 and/or controller 180. Display unit 160 may receive the image data from at least one of video processing unit 140 and controller 180 and display the received image data. The image data may be produced as a result of certain operations performed by any software programs installed in user equipment 100. For example, the image data may be data processed for displaying a graphic user interface produced by an operation system and applications, performed in user equipment 100. The applications may be referred to as App. Also, the image data may further include still images and moving images, produced or processed by video processing unit 140 and controller 180. For example, display unit 160 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel or an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) panel, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, display unit 160 may be interrupted to display the image data when user equipment 100 is connected to external device 200. For example, display unit 160 may be turned off or transit to a sleep mode in response to controller 180 when user equipment 100 is connected to external device 200. Display unit 160 may be turned on again or transit back to an operation mode in response to controller 180 when user equipment 100 is disconnected from external device 200.
Audio output unit 165 may provide an output audio signal that may be produced or processed by controller 180 as a result of operations performed by an operating system and/or applications installed in user equipment 100. Audio output unit 165 may include a speaker, a receiver, and a buzzer.
Port unit 170 may include at least one port for exchanging signals and/or data with external device 200. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, port unit 170 may transfer image data and audio data from user equipment 100 to external device 200. Port unit 170 may exchange control data with external device 200. Port unit 170 may be coupled to corresponding port unit 250 of external device 200 in various coupling manners. For example, port unit 170 may be coupled to corresponding port unit 250 of external device 200 through a physical cable. Furthermore, port unit 170 may be directly interlocked with corresponding port unit 250 of external device 200. The present invention, however, is not limited thereto. Port unit 170 may be coupled to corresponding port unit 250 of external device 200 through a radio link formed between user equipment 100 and external device 200. In this case, port unit 170 and port unit 250 may include a signal transmitter and receiver (not shown) for communicating with each other using a communication protocol. Such communication protocol may be Bluetooth, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
As shown in FIG, 4, port unit 170 may include video input/output port 172, audio input/output port 174, and data input/output port 176, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Such port unit 170 may be embodied in various types. For example, port unit 170 may not include audio input/output interface 174. Further, port unit 170 may include a power port (not shown). In this case, the power port may transfer power from external device 200 to user equipment 100 when external device 200 is coupled to user equipment 100.
Port unit 170 will be described in detail with reference to
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, user equipment 100 may be coupled to external device 200 through port unit 170. After user equipment 100 coupled to external device 200, user equipment 100 may control external device 200 by exchanging data with external device 200 through port unit 170. For example, user equipment 100 may receive inputs from a user through external device 170 and transmit control data to external device 170 through port unit 170. Particularly, user equipment 100 may transmit image data through port unit 170 to external device 200 and control external device 200 to display the image data such a graphic user interface instead of display unit 160 of user equipment 100.
Returning to
As described above, user equipment 100 may be connected to external device 200 and control external device 200. External device 200 may perform operation under the control of user equipment 100 after connected to user equipment 100. For example, external device 200 may be a dummy terminal before connected to user equipment 100. When user equipment 100 is connected to external device 200, external device 200 may be activated and perform operations based on control data received from user equipment 100. Hereinafter, external device 200 will be described with reference to
Referring to
Port unit 250 may be connected to port unit 170 of user equipment 100. That is, port unit 250 may be a connecting port for forming connectivity between user equipment 100 and external device 200. Accordingly, port unit 250 may be a pair relation with port unit 170 of user equipment 100. Port unit 250 may have the same interface configuration of that of port unit 170 of user equipment 100. For example, port unit 250 may have a HDMI port, a USB port, and an audio port.
Port unit 250 may include video input/output port 252, audio input/output port 254, and data input/output port 256. Video input/output port 252 may receive image data from user equipment 100. Audio input/output port 254 may receive audio signals. Data input/output port 256 may exchange data with user equipment 100. Furthermore, port unit 250 may include a power port (not shown) for transferring power to user equipment 100 and a sensing port (not shown) for sensing connection formed between user equipment 100 and external device 200. The present invention, however, is not limited thereto. For example, port unit 250 may be connected to user equipment 100 through a radio link formed between user equipment 100 and external device 200. In this case, port unit 250 may include a signal transmitter and receiver (not shown) for communicating with each other using a communication protocol. Such communication protocol may be Bluetooth, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
Referring back to
Manager 270 may control overall operation for controlling constituent elements of external device 200 in response to user equipment 100 when external device 200 is coupled to user equipment 100. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, manager 270 may receive control data from user equipment 100 through port unit 250 and perform operation response to the control data. Furthermore, manager 270 may receive inputs from a related user and transmit the received input to user equipment 100 through port unit 250. Manager 270 may include connection setup unit 272, display control module 274, and input event processor 276 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Connection setup unit 272 may activate the constituent elements of external device 200 when external device 200 initially senses that external device 200 is connected to user equipment 100. For example, connection setup unit 272 may supply power to the constituent elements of external device 200. That is, connection setup unit 272 may transit a waiting state of external device 200 to a wakeup state of external device 200. Accordingly, connection setup unit 272 may establish a host-device connection between user equipment 100 and external device 200.
External device 200 may provide a graphic user interface about identical to displayed on user equipment 100 when external device 200 is connected to user equipment 100. In such a connected state, image data displayed on display unit 160 of user equipment 100 may be transferred to and displayed on display unit 210 of external device 200. In order to display the transferred image data on display unit 210, manager 270 may include display control module 274. Display control module 274 may turn on display unit 210 under control of manager 270 when external device 200 is connected to user equipment 100. Then, manager 274 may receive the image data displayed on display unit 160 of user equipment 100 from user equipment 100 and display the received image data on display unit 210 of external device 200.
When touch input unit 230 and keypad input unit 235 of external device 200 receive input events such as a touch input in a connected state, input event processing unit 276 may generate an event signal corresponding to the input events and transfer the generated event signal to user equipment 100. The generate event signal may be a signal for controlling operation of user equipment 100 corresponding to the received input events.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, external device 200 may not operate in a disconnected state. The disconnected state may denote a state that user equipment 100 is not connected to external device 200. Accordingly, external device 200 may be a dummy device. In this case, external device 200 may include minimum elements for performing essential functions such as display control and touch input control.
As described above, external device 200 may be connected to user equipment 100 and perform operations under the control of user equipment 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Such operation may be performed by exchanging data through port units 170 and 250. Such port units 170 and 250 may be illustrated in
Referring to
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, user equipment 100 is coupled with external device 200 shown in
Referring to
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, agent 182 of user equipment 100 may be implemented in software included in application layer 710. Agent 182 may control connection to external device 200 and adjust display settings according to connectivity of external device 200 in cooperation with application framework 184 included in application framework layer 720.
As described above, a display setting may be controlled based on display unit information when user equipment 100 is connected to external device 200. User equipment 100 may refer to information stored in internal memory 150 to control the display setting. For example, user equipment 100 may refer to a dots per inch (DPI) table for controlling the display setting.
Referring to
When user equipment 100 is connected to external device 200, user equipment 100 may display image data on display unit 210 of external device 200, instead of display unit 160 of user equipment 100. In order to properly display the image data on display unit 210 of external device 200, user equipment 100 may control a display setting to be properly to display unit 210. The display setting may include at least one of a screen size, a screen resolution, a DPI value, a display layout, and a display direction. Hereinafter, overall operation for controlling a display setting according to external device 200 when user equipment 100 is connected to external device 200 will be described with reference to
Referring to
At step S920, determination may be made as to whether external device 200 is connected to user equipment 100. For example, user equipment 100 may detect connection to external device 200 based on a detection signal generated at port unit 1170 of user equipment 100. As shown in
When external device 200 is not connected to user equipment 100 (No—S920), display unit 160 of user equipment 100 may continuously display the image data based on the default display setting at step S910.
After detecting the connection to external device 200, user equipment 100 may start displaying the image data on display unit 210 of external device 200 and interrupt displaying the image data on display unit 160 of user equipment 100. For example, agent 182 may turn off display unit 160 of user equipment 100 or control display unit 160 to transit to a sleep mode. Then, agent 182 may change a data path of image data from user equipment 100 to external device 200. That is, agent 182 may interrupt displaying the image data on display unit 160 of user equipment 100 and start displaying the image data on display unit 210 of external device 200 as follows.
When external device 200 is connected to user equipment 100 (Yes—S920), display unit information of external device 200 may be obtained at step S930. For example, user equipment 100 may request display unit information to external device 200 and Obtain the display unit information from external device 200. Alternatively, user equipment 100 may identify a display unit type of external device 200 and retrieve related display unit information from internal memory 150. Particularly, agent 182 may request and receive display unit information from external device 200. Based on the display unit information, agent 182 may identify hardware specification of display unit 210 of external device 200. For example, agent 182 may receive extended display identification data (EDID) from external device 200. The EDID may be information on hardware specification of display unit 210 of external device 200. The EDID may include information on a manufacturer, a model number, an EDID version, an appropriate DPI value, a screen size, supporting screen resolutions, luminance, and the number of pixels. The present invention, however, is not limited thereto. For example, user equipment 100 may store, in internal memory 150, display unit information of candidate external devices that might be connected to user equipment 100. The stored display unit information may be mapped to a device ID of each candidate external device. Such mapping information may be managed by agent 182 of user equipment 100. In this case, user equipment 100 may receive or recognize a device ID of external device 200. Based on the device ID, user equipment 100 may obtain the display unit information of display unit 210 of external device 200 from the stored display unit information.
At step S940, image data may be reconfigured based on the obtained display unit information of external device 200. For example, user equipment 100 may reconfigure the image data based on the obtained display unit information. That is, user equipment 100 may reconfigure the image data to be properly displayed on display unit 210 of external device 200. For example, the image data may be redrawn according to a screen layout changed according to a DPI value, a screen resolution, and a screen size included in the obtained display unit information.
At step S950, the reconfigured image data may be transmitted to external device 200 with the external device display setting. For example, user equipment 100 may transmit the reconfigured image data to external device 200 with the external device display setting.
At step S960, the image data may be displayed on display unit 210 of external device 200 based on the external device display setting. For example, external device 200 may receive the reconfigured image data and display the received image data on display unit 210 in response to the control of user equipment 100.
At step S970, nation may be made whether user equipment 100 is disconnected from external device 200. For example, user equipment 100 may detect decoupling or de-docking from external device 200. As described above, such detection of disconnection from external device may be determined based on a device release signal made by port unit 170, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
When user equipment 100 is not disconnected from external device 200 (No—S970), the image data may be continuously displayed on display unit 210 based on the external device display setting, which is tailored according to the display unit information of external device 200. On the contrary, when user equipment 100 is disconnected from external device 200 (Yes—S970), the external device display setting may be changed to the default display setting at step S980. For example, user equipment 100 may restore the default display setting.
The image data may be displayed on display unit 160 of user equipment 100 based on the default display setting at step S990. For example, after restoring the default display setting, user equipment 100 may display the image data on display unit 160 based on the default display setting.
As described above, when user equipment 100 is connected to external device 200, user equipment 100 may change the default display setting to the external device display setting in order to appropriately display the image data on display unit 210 of external device 200. Such display setting may be controlled by adjusting display setting properties including a DPI value, a screen resolution, a display direction and a screen size for display unit 210 of external device 200. For convenience and ease of understanding, among the display setting properties, controlling the DPI value may be representatively described in more detail, hereinafter. Although the DIP value is controlled in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited thereto. Other display setting properties may be controlled in similar manners and/or simultaneously with the DPI value as shown in
Referring to
For convenience and ease of understanding, it is assumed that display unit 160 of user equipment 100 may have a screen resolution of 800×1280 and a normal screen size of about 4 inches and that display unit 210 of external device 200 may have a screen resolution of 800×1280 and an extra-large screen size of about 10 inches. In this case, an appropriate DPI value for user equipment 100 may be an extra-high DPI (XHDPI) value, and an appropriate DPI value for external device 200 may be a medium DPI (MDPI) value according to DPI table 800. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, image data may be displayed on display unit 160 of user equipment 100 with the XHDPI value before user equipment 100 is connected to external device 200. After user equipment 100 is connected to external device 200, the image data may be displayed on display unit 210 of external device 200. In order to appropriately display the image data on display unit 210 of external device 200, the image data should be displayed with the MDPI value, which is an appropriate DPI value for external device 200. Accordingly, agent 182 of user equipment 180 may select an appropriate DPI value for external device 200 from DPI table 800, reconfigure the image data with the selected DPI value, and transmit the reconfigured image data to external device 200.
An embodiment of the present invention is described as selecting the appropriate DPI value from DPI table 800. The present invention, however, is not limited thereto. For example, an appropriate DPI value may be retrieved from internal memory 150 based on a device ID of external device 200. As described above, the device ID of external device 200 may be recognized or received from external device 200. In this case, a DPI value mapped to the device ID of external device 200 may be obtained from internal memory 150 of user equipment 100. Such information may be included in display unit information of candidate external devices, which is stored in internal memory 150 of user equipment.
At step S1020, the obtained DPI value may be compared with a default DPI value of user equipment 100. For example, agent 182 may determine whether to change the default DPI based on the obtained DPI value by comparing the obtained DPI value with the default DPI value. At step S1030, a comparison determines whether the obtained and default DPI values are different.
When the obtained DPI value is not different from the default DPI value (No—S1030), image data may be transmitted to external device 200 without reconfiguration at step S1080. For example, when agent 182 determines not to change the default DPI, agent 182 may transmit current image data to external device 200 without reconfiguration.
When the obtained DPI value is different from the default DPI value at step (Yes—S1030), user equipment 100 may perform following operation in order to appropriately display the image data on display unit 210 of external device 200.
At step S1040, the default DPI value may be changed to the obtained DPI value. For example, agent 180 may request application framework 184 to change the default DPI value. Accordingly, application framework 184 may update the default DPI value included in system configuration information of user equipment 100 with the obtained DPI value. The system configuration information may include display setting information of user equipment 100.
At step S1050, application framework 184 may transfer a system configuration change notification event to applications that may be in operation or that may be requested to be operated. The system configuration change notification event may be an event invoked for notifying of the applications that the default DPI value is changed to the obtained DPI value. The system configuration change notification event may be a “android.Internet.Action.CONFIGURATION_CHANGE” event. Furthermore, application framework 184 may control applications, which are in operation or requested to be operated, to reconfigure a screen layout o be displayed with the updated DPI value.
At step S1060, the applications in operation or the application requested to be operated may reconfigure the image data by adjusting a screen layout based on the updated DPI value. The image data may be reconfigured by following three methods in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
As a first method, application framework 184 may forcedly and directly drive graphic user interface components and activities of each application again. In this case, graphic user interfaces of the applications may be reconfigured with the updated DPI value.
As a second method, application framework 184 may call a system configuration change function. For example, the system configuration change function may be “onConfigurationChanged( )” for an android operation system. In this case, the applications may redraw a graphic user interface with the updated DPI value. However, such operation of application framework 184 may differ according to an operation system of user equipment 100.
As a third method, application framework 184 may obtain a list of the applications currently in operation and terminate the applications in the obtained list through a process kill operation. When corresponding applications are initiated again by a user or a system, the applications may reconfigure a corresponding graphic user interface with the updated DPI value.
The terminated applications may be all of applications currently in operation, except certain applications. For example, the certain applications may be an application required to be continually performed for maintaining service continuity. The certain application may be essential programs for controlling connection to external device 200 and for adjusting display setting information. The certain application may include, for example, a call application, a music application, and an agent program. The present invention, however, is not limited thereto. Such certain applications may be differently designated by a user or a system designer.
The process kill operation may differ according to a type of an operation system of user equipment 100. For example, before performing the process kill operation, application framework 184 may initiate a certain test application, to be operated on a forward ground, for very short time such as about server seconds. In this case, previous applications in operation on a forward ground may transit to a background mode. Such operation may cause the previous applications in operation to store current statuses thereof. Accordingly, the previous running applications may not loose related data although the previous running applications are terminated by the process kill operation.
As described above, the image data may be configured or reconfigured by adjusting a screen layout based on the updated DPI value at step S1060. Then, agent 184 may transmit the reconfigured image data with the adjusted screen layout to external device 200 through port unit 170 at step S1070.
As described above, when user equipment 100 is connected to external device 200, the image data may be reconfigured with a DPI value obtained for display unit 210 of external device 200. Accordingly, the image data may be appropriately displayed on display unit 210 of external device 200. Such reconfigured image data with the adjusted screen layout may be shown in
Referring to
At step S1102, determination may be made as to whether user equipment 100 is disconnected from external device 200. For example, such determination may be made by agent 182. Agent 182 may detect the disconnection from external device 200 when agent 182 receives a disconnection signal that may be generated by port 170. When agent 182 does not receive the disconnection signal (No—S1102), the image data may be continuously displayed on display unit 210 of external device 200 with the update DPI value at step S1101.
When agent 182 receives the disconnection signal (Yes—S1102), agent 182 may perform necessary operation for interrupting displaying the image data on external device 200 and for starting displaying image data on display unit 160 of user equipment 100, as follows. For example, again 182 may restore a default display setting and control an image data path from display unit 210 of external device 200 to display unit 160 of user equipment 100. The default display setting may be a display setting configured for user equipment 100. The default display setting may include a default DPI value which is initially determined for display unit 160 of user equipment 100.
At step S1103, a default DPI value for user equipment 100 may be restored when external device 200 is disconnected from user equipment 100. For example, agent 182 may request application framework 184 to restore the default DPI value for user equipment 100. In response to the request, application framework 184 may change the updated DPI value to the default DPI value and modify system configuration information with the default DPI value. That is, the updated DPI value may be a DPI value updated for display device 210 of external device 200. The default DPI value may be a DPI value originally set up for display device 160 of user equipment 100.
At step S1104, a system configuration change notification event may be transmitted to applications. For example, application framework 184 may transmit a system configuration change notification event to applications in operation or requested to be operated after restoring the default DPI value. The system configuration change notification event may notify of the applications that the updated DPI value is changed to the default DPI value.
At step S1105, image data may be reconfigured with the default DPI value. For example, the applications may reconfigure the image data by adjusting a screen layout with the default DPI value.
At step S1106, he reconfigured image data may be displayed on display unit 160 of user equipment 100. For example, controller 1180 of user equipment 100 may display the image data with the reconfigured screen layout on display unit 160 of user equipment 100.
As described above, the method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention was described as controlling a DPI value when user equipment 100 is connected to and/or disconnected from external device 200. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Beside the DPI value, a screen size and/or a screen display direction may be controlled, as display setting information, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
As described above, when user equipment 100 is connected to external device 200, the image data may be reconfigured with a. DPI value determined for display unit 210 of external device 200 and displayed on display unit 210 of external device 200. Furthermore, when user equipment 100 is disconnected from external device 200, the image data may be reconfigured again with a DPI value determined for display unit 160 of user equipment 100. Particularly, user equipment 100 may display a graphic user interface, generated based on image data, on display unit 210 of external device 200 with a screen layout controlled for external device 200 based on the update DPI value when user equipment 100 is connected to external device 200. Furthermore, user equipment 100 may display a graphic user interface on display unit 160 of user equipment 100 with a screen layout controlled for user equipment 100 based on the default DPI value when user equipment 100 is disconnected from external device 200. Accordingly, the image data may be appropriately displayed on both of display unit 160 of user equipment 100 and display unit 210 of external device 200. The graphic user interface displayed with the reconfigured screen layouts may be shown in
Referring to
Diagrams (B) of
As shown in diagrams (A) and (B) of
In this case, agent 182 may obtain information on the default display directions of external device 200 from display unit information of external device 200. In this case, the display unit information may include a screen resolution, a screen size, and the default display direction. When the default display direction of external device 200 is not matched with that of user equipment 100, agent 182 may request application framework 184 to change a display direction of a graphic user interface for each related application based on the obtained default display direction of external device 200. That is, application framework 184 may control each application to reconfigure a screen layout based on the obtained default display direction as well as the updated DPI value. Accordingly, display unit 210 of external device 200 may display the image data with the screen layout reconfigured based on the obtained default display direction and the updated DPI value.
Hereinafter, a method for controlling a display setting according to an external device connected to user equipment in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to
For example, an application, generally referred to as APP, may be downloaded from a related server in user equipment 100 and installed in user equipment 100. The installed application may perform a certain operation in response to inputs from a corresponding user after the user initiates the installed application. The application may generate image data based on the result of performing the certain operation and display the generated image data, such as a graphic user interface, on display unit 160 of user equipment 100. Such application may communicate with the related server to perform the certain operation. Lately, electronic devices such as user equipment 100 and external device 200 have been introduced with various types of display units. In order to properly display the operation result on according to a type of a display unit, the application and the related server may obtain display unit info nation of the corresponding device and generate image data, such as a graphic user interface, tailored according to the obtained display unit information. Some servers may provide an application tailored to the display unit type of user equipment when the user equipment accesses the server and attempt to download the application. For example, when a user attempts to download an application using a smart phone, a server may determine a display unit type of the smart phone and provide a smart phone type application, which is tailored according to the display unit type of the smart phone. When a user attempts to download the same application using a tablet PC, referred to as a pad type device, the server may determine a display unit type of the tablet PC and provide a pad type application, which is tailored according to the display unit type of the tablet PC. Such application may produce a graphic user interface tailored according to the corresponding display unit type.
In an embodiment of the present invention, user equipment 100 may be connected to external device 200 and display image data such as a graphic user interface on display unit 210 of external device 200 instead of display unit 160 of user equipment 100. Accordingly, a display unit might be changed while displaying a graphic user interface produced by the same application. In this case, an application producing a graphic user interface tailored according to a display unit type may cause interruption in displaying the graphic user interface. Accordingly, in another embodiment of the present invention, an exception handling operation may be performed to prevent such interruption when an application or a related server does not dynamically produce a graphic user interface according to a display unit type of a related device.
Such exception handling operation may be performed by i) providing fixed display unit information to an application or a related server in an exception list and/or by ii) changing display unit information back to initial display unit information. Hereinafter, such exception handling operation will be described with reference to
Referring to
At step S1403, determination may be made as to whether a request for display unit information is received. For example, an application may request display unit information in order to produce image data such as a graphic user interface properly to a display device type. User equipment 100 may determine whether such a request is received from an application or a different source, or if at all. Particularly; such an operation may be performed through application frame 184 when a related application protocol interface (API) is called. If no request is received (No—S1403), the method returns to step S1402.
When the request is received (Yes—S1403), determination may be made as to whether the application or a related server thereof supports a dynamic graphic user interface or not at step S1404. For example, user equipment 100 may determine whether the application requesting the display unit information or a related server thereof supports the dynamic graphic user interface or not. Particularly; such an operation may be performed through application framework 184.
When the application or a related server supports the dynamic graphic user interface (Yes—S1404), display unit information of external device 200 may be provided at step S1406. Since the application or the related server supports the dynamic graphic user interface, the application can produce image data proper to external device 200. Accordingly, user equipment 100 provides the display unit information of external device 200. Particularly, application framework 184 may provide the display unit information based on current system configuration information which is set up with the updated DPI value determined for external device 200.
When the application or the related server does not support the dynamic graphic user interface (No—S1404), display unit information of user equipment 100 may be provided at step S1405. Since the application of the related server does not support the dynamic graphic user interface, the application cannot produce image data proper to external device 200. Accordingly, user equipment 100 provides display unit information of user equipment 100. That is, user equipment 100 may provide initial display unit information although the initial display unit information is updated based on the external device 200. Particularly, application framework 184 may provide the initial display unit information of user equipment 100. Accordingly, the application or the related server may not recognize the default display unit information is changed. The application may transmit the provided display unit information to the related server.
As described above, the exception handling operation may provide the same display unit information regardless of whether user equipment 100 is connected to external device 200 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Such an exception handling operation may prevent interruption that might be caused by the application or the related server does not support the dynamic graphic user interface.
Referring to
At step S1503, determination may be made as to whether an activated application supports a dynamic graphic user interface or not. For example, an application may be activated when the application is initiated or when the application in a background mode transits to a foreground mode. When the application is initiated or when the application in a background mode transits to the foreground mode, user equipment 100 may determine whether the activated application supports a dynamic graph user interface or not. Such operation may be performed through application framework 182 with information stored in internal memory 150 or by communicating with a related server.
When the activated application supports the dynamic graphic user interface (Yes—S1503), a current DPI value may be maintained at step S1504. Since user equipment 100 is connected to external device 200, a DPI value of user equipment 100 may be updated in system configuration information with a DPI value determined for external device 200. Such the updated DPI value in the display unit information may be maintained because the application supporting the dynamic graphic user interface will produce a graphic user interface according to the updated DPI value. When the application requests display unit information, the display unit information having the updated DPI value may be prepared based on system configuration information and provided to the application. Such an operation may be performed through application framework 184. From step S1504, the method advances to step S1508 described subsequently.
When the activated application does not support the dynamic graphic user interface (No—S1503), a current DPI value may be changed back to a default DPI value of user equipment 100 at step S1505. Although the DPI value of user equipment 100 has been changed to the update DPI value determined for external device 200, the updated DPI value in system configuration information may be changed back to the DPI value of user equipment 100. By changing the updated. DPI value of external device 200 back to the initial DPI value of user equipment 100, display unit information prepared based on system configuration information may be not changed although user equipment 100 is connected to external device 200. That is, the application and a related application server may not recognize the display unit information is changed. Such an operation may be performed through application framework 184 of user equipment 100. Accordingly, user equipment 100 may interwork even with an application and/or a related server does not support the dynamic graphic user interface. From step S1505, the method advances to step S1506 to test if the APP is inactivated.
When the application not supporting the dynamic graphic user interface is inactivated (Yes—S1506), the default DPI value may be changed to a DPI value of external device 200 at step S1507. Otherwise, the method returns to step S1505 from step S1506 (No—step S1506). An application may be inactivated when the application is terminated or when the application in a foreground transits to a background. Accordingly, user equipment 100, for example application framework 184, may change the default DPI value of user equipment 100 to a DPI value determined according to external device 200. From step S1507, the method advances to step S1508 to test if user equipment 100 is disconnected from the external device. If not disconnected, the method returns to step S1507 from step S1508 (No—step S1508).
Furthermore, when user equipment 100 is disconnected from external device 200 (Yes—step S1508), the DPI value of external device 200 may be changed to a DPI value of user equipment 100 at step S1509. Such an operation may be included in the method of
As described, two exception handling operations may performed by providing the display unit information of user equipment 100 regardless of whether user equipment 100 is connected to external device 200 or not when an application not supporting the dynamic graphic user interface requests the display unit information and by changing a DPI value of external device 200 back to a default DPI value of user equipment 100 when an application not supporting the dynamic graphic user interface is activated. The present invention, however, is not limited thereto.
Furthermore, when an application or a related server supports the dynamic graphic user interface, user equipment 100 may provide display unit information in various manners. For example, an application may immediately and directly notify change of display unit information to a related server whenever the display unit information is changed because user equipment 100 is connected to external device 200 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
For example, application framework 184 may notify display unit information having a changed DPI value to the server directly or through a corresponding application whenever the DPI value is changed. That is, application framework 184 may notify the change in a DPI value whenever user equipment 100 is connected to or disconnected from external device 200.
As another example, an application may immediately provide current display unit information to the server whenever the application is activated, when the application accesses a related server, and/or when the application in the background mode transits to the foreground mode.
Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments necessarily mutually exclusive of other embodiments. The same applies to the term “implementation.”
As used in this application, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion.
Additionally, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.
Moreover, the terms “system,” “component,” “module,” “interface,”, “model” or the like are generally intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a controller and the controller can be a component. One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers,
The present invention can be embodied in the form of methods and apparatuses for practicing those methods. The present invention can also be embodied in the form of program code embodied in tangible media, such as magnetic recording media, optical recording media, solid state memory, floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. The present invention can also be embodied in the form of program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a machine, or transmitted over some transmission medium or carrier, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. When implemented on a general-purpose processor, the program code segments combine with the processor to provide a unique device that operates analogously to specific logic circuits. The present invention can also he embodied in the form of a bitstream or other sequence of signal values electrically or optically transmitted through a medium, stored magnetic-field variations in a magnetic recording medium, etc., generated using a method and/or an apparatus of the present invention.
It should be understood that the steps of the exemplary methods set forth herein are not necessarily required to be performed in the order described, and the order of the steps of such methods should be understood to be merely exemplary. Likewise, additional steps may be included in such methods, and certain steps may be omitted or combined, in methods consistent with various embodiments of the present invention.
As used herein in reference to an element and a standard, the term “compatible” means that the element communicates with other elements in a manner wholly or partially specified by the standard, and would be recognized by other elements as sufficiently capable of communicating with the other elements in the manner specified by the standard. The compatible element does not need to operate internally in a manner specified by the standard.
No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or “step for.”
Although embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, it should be understood that the foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely examples and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention or the scope of the claims. Numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure, and the present teaching can also be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2011-0041165 | Apr 2011 | KR | national |
| 10-2012-0027316 | Mar 2012 | KR | national |
