This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0019360, filed on Mar. 4, 2011 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field
Apparatuses and methods consistent with the exemplary embodiments relate to a display apparatus and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a display apparatus providing a user interface for selecting a plurality of functions and a control method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
A display apparatus such as a television (TV), a monitor for a personal computer (PC), etc. provides a user interface for allowing a user to control operations (hereinafter, referred to as a ‘function’) to be implemented. The functions of the display apparatus may include power on/off, channel change, screen adjustment, volume control, etc. The user interface for controlling such functions of the display apparatus may be based on a method of using a remote controller, a method of using a control panel, etc. Since the function control of the display apparatus through the user interface may be achieved as a user selects one among a plurality of preset functions of the display apparatus, the ‘function control of the display apparatus by a user’ is also called ‘user's selection for the plurality of functions.’
In the case of a conventional user interface using a control panel, for example, a control panel provided with buttons corresponding to 6 to 8 functions is placed on a front side, a lateral side, a rear side, etc. of the display apparatus. A user may directly press or touch the button of the control panel with a finger or the like in order to select a desired function.
However, with a recent trend of thin and beautiful design, it is increasingly difficult to secure a space for the control panel provided with the plurality of buttons. For example, in the case where the control panel is placed on a front side of the display apparatus, it is difficult to design the control panel due to a trend of making an edge (or a bezel) outside a screen narrow. Although such a control panel can be designed, it is inconvenient for a user to press a small button. Alternatively, even if the control panel is placed on a lateral side of the display apparatus, the thin design may result in the same difficulties as above.
Meanwhile, in the case where the control panel is provided on the lateral side, the rear side, etc. of the display apparatus, there may also be difficulties since a user cannot readily view the control panel in front of the display panel even if there are no spatial limitations, that is, even if the button is sufficiently designed to be large.
Further, in even the case of a touch type control panel using an electrostatic sensor proposed for overcoming the spatial limitation, if it is applied to a metal bezel, reliability deteriorate due to noise.
Accordingly, one or more exemplary embodiments provide a display apparatus provided with an intuitive, convenient and reliable user interface for selecting a plurality of functions even under spatial limitations, and a control method thereof.
The foregoing and/or other aspects may be achieved by providing a display apparatus including: a signal receiver which receives a video signal; an image processor which processes the video signal received by the signal receiver; a display unit which displays an image on the basis of the video signal processed by the image processor; a function selector which senses a user's operation for selecting a plurality of functions provided by the display apparatus; and a controller which displays an on screen display (OSD) menu for selecting the plurality of functions on the display unit in accordance with a user's first operation entering within a predetermined distance from the function selector, and operates one selected among the plurality of functions in accordance with a user's second operation.
The OSD menu may be displayed at a position corresponding to the function selector.
The function selector may include a proximity sensor for sensing that the user's operation is proximate to the function selector.
The user's second operation may include a touch on the function selector, and the function selector may include a touch sensor for sensing the touch on the function selector.
The controller may stop performing the function if the touch on the function selector is released while performing the function.
The controller may release display of the OSD menu if a predetermined time elapses after stopping performing the function.
The user's second operation may include a pressing operation on the function selector, and the function selector may include a pressing sensor for sensing the pressing operation on the function selector.
The controller may stop performing the function if the pressing operation on the function selector is released while performing the function.
The controller may release display of the OSD menu if a predetermined time elapses after stopping performing the function.
The OSD menu may include a plurality of items corresponding to the plurality of functions, and the controller may highlight one among the plurality of items in accordance with a user's third operation.
The user's third operation may include a touch on the function selector, and the function selector may include a touch sensor for sensing the touch on the function selector.
The function selector may include a function selection panel provided with a plurality of marks indicating the plurality of functions, and the plurality of items of the OSD menu may be positioned corresponding to the plurality of marks on the function selection panel.
The controller may release display of the OSD menu if the user's operation gets out of the predetermined distance from the function selector.
The size of the OSD menu may correspond to a screen size of the display unit.
The function selector may be provided on one of a front side, a lateral side, a rear side, a top side and a bottom side of the display apparatus.
Another aspect may be achieved by providing a method of controlling a display apparatus which receives and processes a video signal to be displayed as an image, the method including: sensing a user's operation; displaying an on screen display (OSD) menu for selecting a plurality of functions provided by the display apparatus on a display unit in accordance with a user's first operation entering within a predetermined distance from a function selector provided in the display apparatus; and operating one selected among the plurality of functions in accordance with a user's second operation.
The OSD menu may be displayed at a position corresponding to the function selector.
The sensing may include sensing that the user's operation is proximate to the function selector.
The user's second operation may include a touch on the function selector, and the sensing may include sensing the touch on the function selector.
The method may further include stopping performing the function if the touch on the function selector is released while performing the function.
The method may further include releasing display of the OSD menu if a predetermined time elapses after stopping performing the function.
The user's second operation may include a pressing operation on the function selector, and the sensing may include sensing the pressing operation on the function selector.
The method may further include stopping performing the function if the pressing operation on the function selector is released while performing the function.
The method may further include releasing display of the OSD menu if a predetermined time elapses after stopping performing the function.
The OSD menu may include a plurality of items corresponding to the plurality of functions, and the displaying may include highlighting one among the plurality of items in accordance with a user's third operation.
The user's third operation may include a touch on the function selector, and the sensing may include sensing the touch on the function selector.
The function selector may include a function selection panel provided with a plurality of marks indicating the plurality of functions, and the plurality of items of the OSD menu may be positioned corresponding to the plurality of marks on the function selection panel.
The method may further include releasing display of the OSD menu if the user's operation gets out of the predetermined distance from the function selector.
The size of the OSD menu may correspond to a screen size of the display unit.
In another embodiment, there is a display apparatus including: a receiver which receives a video signal; an image processor which processes the video signal received by the receiver; a display unit which displays an image based on the processed video signal; a function selector which is operable to sense an operation of a user selecting one of a plurality of functions provided by the display apparatus; and a controller which displays an on screen display (OSD) menu which displays the plurality of functions, on the display unit in accordance with a first user operation entering within a predetermined distance from the function selector, and operates the selected one of the plurality of functions in accordance with a second user operation.
In yet another embodiment, there is a method of controlling a display apparatus which receives and processes a video signal to be displayed as an image, the method including: sensing an operation of a user; displaying an on screen display (OSD) menu which displays a plurality of functions provided by the display apparatus, on a display unit in accordance with a first user operation entering within a predetermined distance from a function selector provided in the display apparatus; and operating the selected one of the plurality of functions in accordance with a second user operation.
The above and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Below, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.
The display apparatus 1 performs a plurality of functions such as power on or off, screen adjustment, etc., as well as image display. The display apparatus 1 includes a user interface 14 for allowing a user to select the plurality of functions, e.g., for receiving user input. The user interface 14 may be provided on a front side (
Receiving a video signal input from the imaging device, the signal receiver 11 may communicate with the imaging device transmitting the video signal in accordance with the characteristics of the input video signal. Such communication includes wired communication and wireless communication, and includes analog communication and digital communication. Also, a communication method includes any type of communication method known as being used for transmitting the video contents. There is no limit to the kind of imaging device for providing a video signal to the signal receiver 11. For example, the imaging device includes a digital versatile disc (DVD) player, a Blu-ray disc (BD) player, a personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a smart phone, other TVs, etc. The signal receiver 11 may perform the signal processing for obtaining an image from the input video signal. Such signal processing includes the analog-digital conversion, digital-analog conversion, etc.
Further, the signal receiver 11 may receive a video signal from a predetermined server through a network, or receive a video signal from a portable storage device such as a universal serial bus (USB) storage medium. In each case, the signal receiver 11 may perform given communication with another device in order to receive a video signal. In either case, the signal receiver 11 can receive and process the video signal under control of the controller 15.
The image processor 12 performs predetermined image processing so that an image obtained from the video signal received by the signal receiver 11 can be displayed. The image processing includes demultiplexing, decoding, scaling, picture quality adjustment, picture quality enhancement, etc. Also, the image processor 12 can process an image related to an on screen display (OSD) menu to display a plurality of function and for allowing a user to select the plurality of functions. The image processor 12 may process an image based on the video signal to be overlapped with or to be placed in parallel with at least a portion of each image based on the OSD menu on one screen.
The display unit 13 displays an image processed by the image processor 12. There is no limit as to how the display unit 13 displays an image, and includes all known displaying methods. Such a displaying method may be based on a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a plasma display panel (PDP), a projection, a cathode ray tube (CRT), etc.
The function selector 14 is for inputting a user's selection with regard to the plurality of functions, e.g., for receiving user input or user selection regarding one or more of the plurality of functions.
The controller 15 controls a general operation of the display apparatus 1. The controller 15 displays the OSD menu (see ‘132’ of
Although it is not shown, the controller 15 includes a non-volatile memory where a program for the foregoing control is stored, a volatile memory where at least a part of the program stored in the non-volatile memory is loaded, and a microprocessor or a microcontroller unit for executing the program loaded into the volatile memory.
Although it is not shown, the display apparatus 1 may further include other elements needed for operations of the display apparatus 1. For example, the display apparatus 1 may include an audio signal receiver such as a microphone or the like for receiving an audio signal, an audio signal processor for processing an audio signal, an audio output unit such as a loudspeaker or the like for outputting an audio signal, a remote signal receiver for receiving a remote signal for operation control from a remote controller (not shown), a storage unit such as an electrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory, a hard disk drive or the like for storing information or data about the operation, a power supply for supplying power needed for operation of each element, etc.
The proximity sensor 142 and the touch sensor 143 may be achieved in the form of a mountable substrate as a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) or the like film, layer, etc. The proximity sensor 142 and the touch sensor 143 may be filed up with each other.
The respective signal lines of the proximity sensor 142 and the touch sensor 143 are connected to a PCB 60 provided in the display apparatus 1 via a connector 145. The sensor controller 144 may be provided in the PCB 60, and controls operations of the proximity sensor 142 and the touch sensor 143. The sensor controller 144 transmits signals from the proximity sensor 142 and the touch sensor 143 to the controller 15. Communication between the sensor controller 144 and the controller 15 may include I2C, UART, Serial communication, or all known communication methods.
At operation 810, the display apparatus 1 senses a user's operation. At operation 820, the display apparatus 1 ascertains whether a user's operation enters within a predetermined distance.
If a user's operation enters within a predetermined distance from the function selector 14 (refer to Yes in the operation 820), the display apparatus 1 displays the OSD menu for selecting the plurality of functions at operation 830.
Referring back to
The display apparatus 1 continues to sense the user's operation, and may perform a corresponding function if a user's function selecting operation is changed. For example, if a user slides his/her finger 3 up or down on the function selector 14, at least one among the plural items of the OSD menu 132 may be sequentially highlighted corresponding to the positions touched by the sliding finger 3. If a user's finger 3 stops, a function corresponding to a stopped position may be performed.
With this display apparatus 1, a user can intuitively and readily select a function through the OSD menu 132. Also, the OSD menu 132 is displayed only when a user selects a function, so that a bezel width or the like can be freely designed. Further, a user has no need for ascertaining the functions through the exterior of the function selector 14, and thus limitations in designing the function selector 14 is decreased.
At operation 310, the display apparatus 1 senses a user's operation while performing a function based on a user's function selecting operation. At operation 320, the display apparatus 1 ascertains whether a user's function selecting operation is released. For example, the release of the function selecting operation may be an end of a user's touching operation on the function selector 14.
Referring back to
According to another exemplary embodiment, the display releasing operation may be a user's operation that goes beyond a predetermined distance from the function selector 14. In this case, in the state based on the operation 330 in
The display apparatus 1 shown in
In the above exemplary embodiments, the highlight of the item corresponding to the selected function and the implementation of the selected function are achieved by one operation, e.g., the touching operation on the function selector 14, but not limited thereto. Alternatively, if there is a user's touching operation, a corresponding function may be highlighted, and subsequently if there is a user's different operation, the corresponding function may be performed. Here, the user's different operation may be that the corresponding touch is continued for a predetermined time. Also, the user's different operation may be an additional touching operation. Further, the user's different operation may be a user's pressing operation corresponding to a selected (highlighted) function. In this case, the function selector 14 may additionally include a sensor (not shown) for sensing the user's pressing operation. Likewise, such an alternative exemplary embodiment may be applied to release of the function selecting operation and the display releasing operation.
As described above, there are provided a display apparatus provided with an intuitive, convenient and reliable user interface for selecting a plurality of functions even under spatial limitations, and a control method thereof.
Although a few exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these exemplary embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10-2011-0019360 | Mar 2011 | KR | national |
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6002386 | Gu | Dec 1999 | A |
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20060244863 | Baikie et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
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2005071604 | Aug 2005 | WO |
Entry |
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Communication dated Jan. 4, 2012, issued by the European Patent Office in counterpart European Application No. 11186220.7. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20120224102 A1 | Sep 2012 | US |