Patent Application
20140211091
Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image display device and a display control method, and the device exerts an effective function, for example, when a digital television broadcasting receiving device is exhibited in a storefront.
In a digital television broadcasting receiving device, for the most suitable image quality, it is best to see the image from a front surface thereof. However, for example, on exhibition of the device in a storefront, the device is often disposed at a position below or above a viewer's sight line, and in such a case, a problem occurs that the image quality deteriorates due to an unsuitable view angle. To solve the problem, there has been developed a prior art image display device capable of displaying the image of the most suitable quality in accordance with the height of a display surface, i.e., the viewer's sight line.
However, the prior art device does not change a mode of displaying a demonstration image (hereinafter referred to as a demo mode) according to the setting circumstances (e.g., height) of the image display device.
A general architecture that implements the various features of the embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate the embodiments and not to limit the scope of the invention.
Various embodiments will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In general, according to one embodiment, an image display device may have demo modes and comprises a display module, a display processing module, and a control module. The display module is configured to display demo images in the demo modes. The display processing module is configured to supply the display module with a selection screen to select “stand use” or “wall hanging use” of the image display device. The control module is configured to supply the display module with one selection screen recommending a first demo mode when the stand use is selected, or with other selection screen recommending a second demo mode when the wall hanging use is selected.
According to another embodiment, an image display device may have demo modes and comprises a display module, a display processing module, a height detecting module, and a control module. The display module is configured to display demo images in the demo modes. The display processing module is configured to supply the display module with a selection screen to select use of the image display device in a storefront. The height detecting module is configured to detect whether or not the image display device has a predetermined height. The control module is configured to supply the display module with one selection screen recommending a first demo mode when the storefront use is selected and if the height detecting module detects that the image display device has the predetermined height. Or, the control module is configured to supply the display module with other selection screen recommending a second demo mode when the storefront use is selected and if the height detecting module detects that the image display device does not have the predetermined height, where the second demo mode differs from the first demo mode.
According to still another embodiment, an image display device may have demo modes comprises a display module, a display processing module, a height detecting module, and a control module. The display module is configured to display demo images in the demo modes. The display processing module is configured to supply the display module with a selection screen to select use of the image display device in a storefront. The height detecting module is configured to detect whether or not the image display device has a predetermined height. The control module is configured to execute an operation of a first demo mode when the storefront use is selected and if the height detecting module detects that the image display device has the predetermined height. Or, the control module is configured to execute another operation of a second demo mode when the storefront use is selected and if the height detecting module detects that the image display device does not have the predetermined height, where the second demo mode differs from the first demo mode.
According to the embodiments (device/method), it is possible to induce or introduce an operation of the most suitable demo mode according to the setting circumstances (e.g., height) of the image display device. Or, it is possible to automatically execute an operation of the most suitable demo mode according to the setting circumstances of the image display device.
Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in
The tuner 101 selects a seeing and hearing channel indicated by a user. The tuner 101 receives a digital broadcasting signal of a broadcasting satellite (BS), CS, a ground wave or the like received via an antenna 201, and demodulates the signal. The tuner 101 outputs the demodulated digital broadcasting signal to the signal processing module 102. The signal processing module 102 takes out various digital signals from the demodulated digital broadcasting signal. The signal processing module 102 outputs an image signal to the image processing module 103, and outputs a voice signal to the voice processing module 106. The image processing module 103 converts the image signal from the signal processing module 102 into an image signal of a format which can be displayed in the display 105, and appropriately regulates the signal in accordance with a screen size of the display (the display section) 105. The mage processing module 103 outputs the image signal to the display processing module 104. The display processing module 104 selectively superimposes graphic information such as character information on the image signal. The display processing module 104 superimposes, for example, a selection setting screen or the like described later on the image signal. The display processing module 104 outputs the image signal to the display 105. The display 105 displays an image in the screen on the basis of the image signal.
The voice processing module 106 acoustically processes and amplifies the voice signal from the signal processing module 102, to obtain the voice signal of a format which can be reproduced by the speaker 107. The voice processing module 106 outputs the voice signal to the speaker 107. The speaker 107 outputs voice based on the voice signal. The user can see the image of a desirable program in the display 105, and can hear the voice through the speaker 107.
The microcomputer 108 controls an operation of each section of the television device 1, and transmits data to the section, or receives the data from the section. For example, the microcomputer 108 is connected to the tuner 101, the signal processing module 102, the image processing module 103, the display processing module 104, the voice processing module 106 and the like via a communication line 120 (e.g., IIC(Inter-IC)-BUS). The ROM 109 stores control program to be executed by the microcomputer 108. The RAM 110 supplies an operation area to the microcomputer 108. The nonvolatile memory 111 stores various pieces of information and data. The nonvolatile memory 111 stores, for example, program table data. Moreover, the nonvolatile memory 111 stores at least one application. The nonvolatile memory 111 stores an EPG application which constitutes (generates) EPG to be displayed in the display 105, for example, by use of the program table data. The keyboard 112 accepts user operation. The light receiving module 113 receives an IR signal of the user operation from a remote controller 202.
The LAN terminal 114 is connected to an external or internal network via a LAN (Ethernet (registered trademark)). The radio LAN transmission/reception module 115 is connected to an external or internal network via a radio LAN. The LAN terminal 114 and the radio LAN transmission/reception module 115 are connected to external apparatuses (connection apparatuses) via a network.
The Bluetooth (registered trademark) transmission/reception module 116 is connected to an external apparatus via Bluetooth (registered trademark). The first HDMI terminal 117 is connected to an external apparatus via an HDMI cable. The second HDMI terminal 118 is connected to an external apparatus via an HDMI cable. That is, the LAN terminal 114, the radio LAN transmission/reception module 115, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) transmission/reception module 116, the first HDMI terminal 117 and the second HDMI terminal 118 are external input terminals which function as interfaces to be connected to the external apparatuses. Therefore, the microcomputer 108 can receive information (e.g., image information and voice information) from the external apparatuses connected to the LAN terminal 114, the radio LAN transmission/reception module 115, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) transmission/reception module 116, the first HDMI terminal 117, and the second HDMI terminal 118.
In this embodiment, the first HDMI terminal 117 is connected to an external apparatus 3 via the HDMI cable, and the second HDMI terminal 118 is connected to an external apparatus 4 via the HDMI cable. It is to be noted that the nonvolatile memory 111 registers and stores the connection of the external apparatus 3 to the first HDMI terminal 117 as the external input terminal. Similarly, the nonvolatile memory 111 registers and stores the connection of the external apparatus 4 to the second HDMI terminal 118 as the external input terminal. It is to be noted that
The IR blaster interface 119 is connected to one end of an unshown IR blaster cable. The IR blaster interface 119 functions as an interface to be connected to an external apparatus via the IR blaster cable, differently from the external input terminal.
A distance sensor 300 is disposed at any position of the digital television broadcasting receiving device (e.g., an upper central position or a lower central position of a frame) to face downwardly. For example, the sensor emits an ultrasonic wave, and receives a reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave.
A height detecting section 301 measures time from when the distance sensor 300 emits the ultrasonic wave to when the reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave returns, thereby making it possible to detect a height of the distance sensor 300 from a floor surface can be detected. Note that a conventional height measuring method may be used.
A demo mode operation control section 302 actually executes an operation of a demo mode (sticker demo or cloud demo) described later.
When the digital television broadcasting receiving device 1 is exhibited and sold in a storefront, the mode is switched to the demo mode to display a demonstration image (the demo image) sometimes. The digital television broadcasting receiving device 1 of the present embodiment includes, for example, two storefront demo modes, one of the modes is a sticker demo mode, and the other mode is a cloud demo mode. Here, the device includes the two storefront demo modes, but needless to say, the device may have two or more demo modes.
In the sticker demo mode, the demo image to explain functions is displayed to overlay a part of the screen in accordance with the image signals and the like from the tuner 101 and the external apparatuses 3 and 4. Specifically, as shown in
As a use application of the sticker demo mode, the mode is mainly used, when the digital television broadcasting receiving device 1 is disposed in the upside, for example, by hanging the device on a wall in the storefront. This is because when the device is disposed at a position above a user's sight line, the user cannot easily judge the maker or function of the device just by seeing the device from the downside. Especially in the U.S. and Europe, the device is exhibited at a considerably high position together with digital television broadcasting receiving devices of the other companies. Therefore, when the user just looks at the digital television broadcasting receiving device, the user cannot momentarily judge the manufacture maker of the exhibited digital television broadcasting receiving device, the function inherent in the device, and the like. Therefore, in the wall hanging use, the sticker demo mode is preferably selected in which the manufacture maker and functions of the broadcasting receiving device 1 are displayed so that they can momentarily be seen.
Next, the cloud demo mode will be described. It is considered that at present, a cloud system is constructed in which a server is connected to the digital television broadcasting receiving device via the network to enable data communication. In such a cloud system, program information can be exchanged with friends or a favorite dynamic image or shopping can be enjoyed by use of the network, thereby receiving various services. In the cloud demo mode, a menu screen capable of integrally managing various services is displayed in the whole screen, and in this menu screen, applications to execute the services are explained. Specifically, as shown in
Moreover, as a use application of the cloud demo mode, the mode is mainly used when the digital television broadcasting receiving device 1 using the stand is exhibited in the storefront. This is because when the device is disposed at a position close to the user's sight line and a list of wide ranges of services of the TV/video screen 501, the calendar screen 502, the message screen 503 and the like on the screen of the broadcasting receiving device 1 is displayed for the user, the user can momentarily judge the functions of the device. Therefore, when the stand is used, the cloud demo mode is preferably selected.
First, when the user buys the digital television broadcasting receiving device 1, it is necessary to first perform initial setting. When the user turns on power of the broadcasting receiving device 1, the microcomputer 108 controls the display processing module 104, to display a screen 550 (an initial setting screen) in which language setting is selected as shown in
Next, the user selects a “home” or “storefront” button as the use purpose in the TV use environment setting screen 600 of
Moreover, when the user does not select the “wall hanging” button but selects the “stand” button in the setting screen concerning the use method in the step ST407, the microcomputer 108 controls the display processing module 104, to display a TV use environment setting screen 810 concerning the demo mode and display a selection screen (a “cloud” button) which recommends the cloud demo as an initial value, as shown in
As described above, the user successively selects the “storefront” button as the use purpose and the “wall hanging” or “stand” button as the use method in the selection screens, so that the user can execute the demo without hesitation, because the recommendation of the most suitable demo mode is displayed even in the digital television broadcasting receiving device including the demo modes.
First, when the user buys the digital television broadcasting receiving device 1, it is necessary to first perform the initial setting. When the user turns on the power of the broadcasting receiving device 1, the microcomputer 108 controls the display processing module 104, to display the screen 550 (the initial setting screen) in which the language setting is selected as shown in
Next, the user selects the “home” or “storefront” button as the use purpose in the TV use environment setting screen 600 of
The microcomputer 108 judges, for example, whether or not the height of the distance sensor 300 disposed in the broadcasting receiving device 1 is 2 m or more from the floor surface. Moreover, when the microcomputer 108 judges that the height is 2 m or more, the microcomputer recognizes the wall hanging use, and controls the display processing module 104, to display the TV use environment setting screen 800 concerning the demo mode and display the selection screen (the “sticker” button) which recommends the sticker demo as the initial value, as shown in
Moreover, when the microcomputer 108 judges that the height of the distance sensor 300 is not the height of 2 m or more from the floor surface, the microcomputer recognizes the stand use and controls the display processing module 104, to display the TV use environment setting screen 810 concerning the demo mode and display the selection screen (the “cloud” button) which recommends the cloud demo as the initial value, as shown in
As described above, when the user selects the “storefront” button in the screen 600 of
First, when the user buys the digital television broadcasting receiving device 1, it is necessary to first perform the initial setting. When the user turns on the power of the broadcasting receiving device 1, the microcomputer 108 controls the display processing module 104, to display the screen 550 (the initial setting screen) in which the language setting is selected as shown in
Next, the user selects the “home” or “storefront” button as the use purpose in the TV use environment setting screen 600 of
The microcomputer 108 judges, for example, whether or not the height of the distance sensor 300 is 2 m or more from the floor surface. Moreover, when the microcomputer 108 judges that the height is 2 m or more, the microcomputer controls the demo mode operation control section 302 to execute a sticker demo operation. In addition to the operation control, the microcomputer 108 controls the display processing module 104 to display a sticker demo display screen. That is, to overlay the image displayed in display 105 as shown in
Furthermore, when the microcomputer 108 judges that the height of the stand 141 of the broadcasting receiving device 1 is not the height of 2 m or more from the floor surface, the microcomputer controls the demo mode operation control section 302 to execute a cloud demo operation. In addition to the operation control, the microcomputer 108 controls the display processing module 104 to display a cloud demo display screen. That is, as shown in
As described above, in
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 inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-017904 | Jan 2013 | JP | national |
This application is a Continuation Application of PCT Application No. PCT/JP2013/058821, filed Mar. 26, 2013 and based upon and claiming the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-017904, filed Jan. 31, 2013, the entire contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/JP2013/058821 | Mar 2013 | US |
| Child | 14063482 | US |
