Patent Application
20120313929
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-130294 filed on Jun. 10, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Embodiments described herein relate generally to an electronic apparatus, a control method of an electronic apparatus, and a computer-readable medium.
In recent years, electronic apparatus which use GUI (graphical user interface) display have been spreading. The GUI is a user interface which enables an intuitive operation using computer graphics and a pointing device.
Being superior in visibility and ease of operation, for example, and enabling an intuitive operation, GUI display is now widely used in various electronic apparatus such as personal computers (PCs), TV receivers, and portable video display apparatus.
However, electronic apparatus using GUI display are desired to be improved further in some points; for example, it is demanded to display, for example, items or the like to attract attention of a user with high visibility.
A general configuration that implements the various features of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention.
In general, according to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes an instruction receiver, a 3D depth information acquiring module, and a 3D display information output module. The instruction receiver receives an instruction to output GUI display information. The 3D depth information acquiring module acquires pieces of 3D-depth-related information corresponding to items to be displayed as a GUI display in response to the instruction. The 3D display information output module outputs GUI display information according to the acquired pieces of 3D-depth-related information so that at least part of the items to be displayed as a GUI display will be displayed in 3D if the acquired pieces of 3D-depth-related information comprises information corresponding to an item that should be displayed in 3D.
Exemplary embodiments will be hereinafter described with reference to the drawings.
In recent years, electronic apparatus capable of displaying 3D video have been spreading. The term “3D” is an abbreviation of “three-dimensional” or “three dimensions,” and is used for referring to, for example, three-dimensional vision of video.
Although the embodiment is directed to the TV receiver as an example electronic apparatus, the invention can also be applied to other electronic apparatus such as personal computers (PCs) and portable video display apparatus.
For example, the TV receiver 1 receives, with a remote control signal receiver 20, a remote control signal that is transmitted from a remote controller 21 when it is operated by the user (viewer), and performs such an operation as video display.
The TV receiver 1 can display 3D video on a video display module (display screen) 8. For example, 3D video is pieces of video taken from different directions, that is, from the left side and the right side. Displayed 3D video is viewed by the user (viewer) who wears the 3D glasses 100.
Although the embodiment is directed to a case of viewing 3D video using the 3D glasses 100, the invention can also be applied to naked-eye 3D viewing which does not use 3D glasses.
For example, the 3D glasses 100 incorporate liquid crystal shutters and receive a sync signal SS from the TV receiver 1. Shutter control is performed in the 3D glasses 100 using the sync signal SS.
In the embodiment, for example, the TV receiver 1 incorporates a camera 30 and uses it for detection of a person. For example, the camera 30 which is used for detection of a person is disposed near the video display module 8. The camera 30 may be disposed in the video display module 8.
Reference numeral 20 denotes an operation receiver; 21, the remote controller; 22, a transmitting/receiving module (network interface); 25, broadcasting stations; 26, a network (Internet); and 27, a server.
The controller 11 has the MPU 12 and controls the TV receiver 1. The RAM 13, the ROM 14, and the flash memory 15 are used for processing that is performed by the controller 11, for example.
For example, digital broadcasts of video contents are broadcast from the broadcasting stations 25. The tuner 3 tunes in to one of the digital broadcasts that are transmitted from the broadcasting stations 25, and outputs a digital signal of the selected video content to the signal processor 4.
The signal processor 4 performs signal processing on the digital signal of the selected video content, and outputs resulting signals to the audio processor 6 and the video processor 5.
The audio processor 6 performs audio processing on the received signal of the video content and outputs resulting signals to the speakers 9. The speakers 9 produce a sound on the basis of the received signals.
The video processor 5 performs video processing on the received signal of the video content and outputs a resulting signal to the display device 7. The display device 7 displays video on the display screen (video display module) 8 of an LCD panel or the like on the basis of the received signal.
In the embodiment, the TV receiver 1 has the internal recording device 17 and can record the received video content there.
In the embodiment, the external recording device 19 is USB-connected or LAN-connected to the TV receiver 1. The received video content can also be recorded in the external recording device 19.
The user inputs an operation (instruction) to the TV receiver 1 through the operation device 21 such as a remote controller.
The above pieces of processing are controlled by the controller 11.
When connected to the server 27 through the transmitting/receiving module (network interface) 22, the TV receiver 1 can, for example, receive Web page and perform browsing.
In the embodiment, the TV receiver 1 outputs a sync signal SS that is generated by the video processor 5, for example. As described above, the sync signal SS is received by the 3D glasses 100 and used by the user (viewer) wearing the 3D glasses 100 to view 3D video.
In the embodiment, for example, items that are high in priority are given high 3D depth levels (i.e., displayed high) and items that are low in priority are given low 3D depth levels (i.e., displayed low). More specifically, the TV receiver 1 makes a GUI display in a manner to be described later with reference to
For example, the TV receiver 1 receives an instruction to make a GUI display from the user. In response to the display instruction, the TV receiver 1 acquires pieces of 3D-depth-related information corresponding to items to be displayed as a GUI display. If the acquired pieces of 3D-depth-related information include information corresponding to an item(s) that should be displayed in 3D, the TV receiver 1 makes a GUI display in such a manner that that item is displayed in 3D.
In the embodiment, for example, as shown in
In the table of
A category “favorite genres” 32 is given priority “2” and 3D depth “2.” In this example, when the priority is “2,” the 3D depth is given a level “2,” which means that the corresponding item (in this example, the corresponding category) should be displayed second highest in 3D display.
A category “recommendable programs” 33 is given priority “3” and 3D depth “3.” In this example, when the priority is “3,” the 3D depth is given a level “3,” which means that corresponding items (in this example, items of the corresponding category) should be displayed third highest in 3D display.
A category “others” 34 is given priority “4” and 3D depth “4.” In this example, when the priority is “4,” the 3D depth is given a level “4,” which means that corresponding items (in this example, items of the corresponding category) should be displayed fourth highest in 3D display. Since the 3D depth “4” is the lowest level, the corresponding items (in this example, the items of the corresponding category “others”) may be displayed at a zero height, that is, in 2D.
The pieces of information of the table are stored in the storage module 16 of the flash memory 15, for example.
This setting change input picture is displayed on the video display module 8 of the TV receiver 1.
While looking at this setting change input picture, the user can input an instruction relating to a setting change of a preset piece of 3D-depth-related information (priority and 3D depth) in a manner shown in
For example, to change the setting of the 3D-depth-related information (priority and 3D depth) of the category “reserved programs” 41, the user moves a cursor 40 to the position where the setting should be changed and inputs a new piece of 3D-depth-related information (priority and 3D depth).
Likewise, to change the setting of the 3D-depth-related information (priority and 3D depth) of the categories “favorite genres” 42, “recommendable programs” 43, or “others” 44, the user moves the cursor 40 to the position where the setting should be changed and inputs a new piece of 3D-depth-related information (priority and 3D depth).
In the embodiment, 3D-depth-related information (priority and 3D depth) is changed in the above-described manner.
Like the table of
More specifically, the priority and the 3D depth of the category “reserved programs” 31 are each changed to “2.” The 3D depth “2” means that corresponding items (i.e., items of the corresponding category) should be second highest in 3D display.
The priority and the 3D depth of the category “favorite genres” 32 are each changed to “1.” The 3D depth “1” means that corresponding items (i.e., items of the corresponding category) should be highest in 3D display.
The 3D-depth-related information (priority and 3D depth) of each of the categories “recommendable programs” 33 and “others” 34 is not changed. That is, the priority and the 3D depth of the category “recommendable programs” 33 each remain “3,” and the priority and the 3D depth of the category “others” 34 each remain “4.”
The pieces of information of the table are also stored in the storage module 16 of the flash memory 15, for example.
In the embodiment, as described above with reference to
If the acquired pieces of 3D-depth-related information include (pieces of) information (e.g., 3D depth “1,” “2,” or “3”) to the effect that corresponding items should be display in 3D, as shown in
In this example, as shown in
If the 3D depth levels of all the acquired pieces of 3D-depth-related information are “4,” it may be judged that they do not include information to the effect that corresponding items should be displayed in 3D.
For example, in this example, “program H” 61h is categorized as “reserved programs.” Since the priority and the 3D depth of the category “reserved programs” are each set at “1,” as shown in
“Program C” 61c is categorized as “favorite genres.” Since the priority and the 3D depth of the category “favorite genres” are each set at “2,” as shown in
“Program O” 61o is categorized as “recommendable programs.” Since the priority and the 3D depth of the category “recommendable programs” are each set at “3,” as shown in
“Program A” 61a is categorized as “others.” Since the priority and the 3D depth of the category “others” are each set at “4,” as shown in
In the GUI display of
That is, in this GUI display (program table), the items “program H” 61h (categorized as “reserved programs”), “program C” 61c (categorized as “favorite genres”), and “program O” 61o (categorized as “recommendable programs”) are items to attract attention of the user.
For example, a technique is known which increases user visibility by setting the display areas of prescribed items of a GUI display (program table). However, with this technique, the information amount of a GUI display (program table) may decrease.
In contrast, by virtue of the above manner of display, the embodiment can prevent such decrease in information amount.
At step S103, the TV receiver 1 receives the instruction to make a GUI display. At step S104, pieces of priority (3D depth) information that are stored in advance in, for example, the flash memory 15 so as to be correlated with items (e.g., pieces of program information) to be displayed as a GUI display (program table) are acquired.
At step S105, it is judged whether the acquired pieces of priority (3D depth) information include information corresponding to an item(s) that should be displayed in 3D. For example, if the acquired pieces of priority (3D depth) information include 3D depth “1,” “2,” or “3” (see
If it is judged that the acquired pieces of priority (3D depth) information include information corresponding to an item(s) that should be displayed in 3D (S105: yes), the process moves to step S106. On the other hand, if it is judged that the acquired pieces of priority (3D depth) information do not include information corresponding to an item(s) that should be displayed in 3D (S105: no), the process moves to step S109.
At step S106, GUI display information (program table) is generated according to the acquired pieces of priority (3D depth) information so that the items that should be displayed in 3D will be displayed in 3D and the items that should not be displayed in 3D will be displayed in 2D.
At step S107, the generated partially 3D GUI display information (program table) is supplied to the display module 7. At step S108, the display module 7 receives and displays the partially 3D GUI display information (program table).
At step S109, 2D GUI display information (program table) is generated in the above-described manner. At step S110, the generated 2D GUI display information (program table) is supplied to the display module 7. At step S111, the display module 7 receives and displays the 2D GUI display information (program table). The process is finished at step S112.
In the embodiment, as described above, categories of, for example, items to attract attention of the user of the initial setting menu (GUI display) are stored in the storage module 16 of the flash memory 15, for example, so as to be correlated with pieces of 3D-related information.
In response to an instruction to make a GUI display (i.e., to display an initial setting menu), pieces of 3D-depth-related information corresponding to items to be displayed as a GUI display are acquired from the storage module 16 of the flash memory 15.
If the acquired pieces of 3D-depth-related information include information (e.g., 3D depth “1”) corresponding to an item(s) that should be displayed in 3D, as shown in
For example, since the priority and the 3D depth of the category “tuner” are each set at “1,” as shown in
The item 41 corresponding to the category “tuner” is displayed in such a manner as to urge the user to select this item. This item indicates that selection can be made from “ground-wave digital,” “BS digital,” and “◯◯.”
Since the priority and the 3D depth of the category “network” are each set at “1,” as shown in
The item 42 corresponding to the category “network” is displayed in such a manner as to urge the user to select this item. This item indicates that selection can be made from “Internet” and “◯◯.”
Since the priority and the 3D depth of the category “recording” are each set at “2,” as shown in
The item 43 corresponding to the category “recording” is displayed in such a manner as to urge the user to select this item. This item indicates that selection can be made from “HDD,” “DVD” and “BD.”
Since the priority and the 3D depth of the category “image quality” are each set at “2,” the corresponding item 44 may be displayed in 2D, for example.
The item 44 corresponding to the category “image quality” is displayed in such a manner as to urge the user to select this item. This item indicates that selection can be made from “◯◯,” “ΔΔ” and “xx.”
In this GUI display (initial setting menu), the items 41 and 42 corresponding to the categories “tuner” and “network” are displayed in 3D as shown in
The BD recorder 1a outputs GUI display information as described above. The TV receiver 8b receives the GUI display information from the BD recorder 1a and makes a GUI display on its video display module in the same manner as described above.
With the above configuration, this embodiment makes it possible to provide an electronic apparatus which utilizes GUI display and can display, for example, items to attract attention of the user with high visibility.
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, the novel apparatus and method described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the apparatus and method, described herein may be made without departing from the sprit of the invention. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and sprit of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-130294 | Jun 2011 | JP | national |
