Audio/video devices for visualizing operational states therein or thereamong into content flow and method of controlling operations thereof

An audio/video (A/V) device and a method of controlling the operation thereof, which visualize operation states in or among A/V devices into a flow of content. The A/V device includes an on screen display (OSD) processing unit to OSD process information, and a control unit to control the OSD processing unit so that the OSD processing unit OSD processes a plurality of modules constituting the A/V device and functions thereof. Accordingly, it is possible for a user to easily recognize operations in and among the A/V devices, which provides convenient operation to the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2004-83868, filed on Oct.20, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to audio/video (A/V) devices. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to A/V devices and a method of controlling the operation thereof, which provide a user interface in which operations in or among A/V devices are visualized so that a user easily recognizes the operations.

2. Description of the Related Art

With the recent development of digital technologies, a network environment has been provided in which A/V devices each performing independent functions, such as a digital TV (DTV), a video cassette recorder (VCR), a digital versatile disk player (DVDP), a DVD recorder (DVDR), and/or a set-top box (STB), are connected to a network for transmitting and receiving contents thereamong.

Further, a number of combination systems have been developed in which the A/V devices that perform independent functions as described above are incorporated into a single system. In the combination systems, since parts performing common functions are incorporated into a single unit, operational convenience is achieved and the amount of physical space required is reduced as compared to discrete devices.

The conventional A/V device is considered as a black box in that the internal operation thereof is not revealed to users, as shown inFIG. 1. Interacting with a conventional A/V device does not pose a problem if the A/V devicee only handles and/or reproduces content between one source and one destination. The term “content” is used in its broadest sense to include, not by way of limitation, audio signals, video signals, and the like.

Interaction with a conventional A/V device becomes problematic as the number of sources and destinations of content handled by the A/V device, and the number of tasks performed on the respective contents increase, as they have recently. This is because such a conventional scheme displays only processing results according to a user's operation making it difficult for a user to understand the operation of the A/V device.

Furthermore, it is difficult for the user to recognize how a particular content item is being processed in the A/V device, whether current scenes on the display device are provided from a particular content source, and what operation is required for a desired task. Thus, operation becomes inconvenient for a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide an audio/video (A/V) device and a method of controlling the operation thereof, which provide a user interface in which operations in or among the A/V devices are indicated by a flow of content so that a user easily recognizes the operations.

The above aspect of the present invention is substantially realized by providing an audio/video (A/V) device, including an on screen display (OSD) processing unit to OSD process information, and a control unit to control the OSD processing unit so that the OSD processing unit OSD processes a plurality of modules constituting the A/V device and functions thereof.

The control unit may control the OSD processing unit so that the OSD processing unit OSD processes operational states of respective modules and an operational state of the A/V device.

The OSD processing unit may indicate the plurality of modules icons.

The control unit may control the OSD processing unit so that the OSD processing unit OSD processes a connection diagram indicating a connection relationship among respective icons.

The plurality of modules may include a module corresponding to at least one content source that provides content, and a module corresponding to at least one content destination that receives the content from the content source.

Here, the module corresponding to the content source may include at least one of an external input module, a digital versatile disk (DVD) reproducing module, a video cassette recorder (VCR) reproducing module, and a hard disc drive (HDD) reproducing module, and the module corresponding to the content destination may include at least one of a DVD recording module, a VCR recording module, a HDD storage module, and an external output module.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an operation of an audio/video (A/V) device, including receiving an OSD screen request signal, and producing and providing an OSD screen indicating a plurality of modules constituting the A/V device and functions thereof.

Operational states of respective modules and the A/V device are displayed on the OSD screen, and the plurality of modules are indicated by icons.

Further, a connection diagram indicating a connection relationship among respective icons may be displayed on the OSD screen.

The plurality of modules may include a module corresponding to at least one content source that provides content, and a module corresponding to at least one content destination that receives the content from the content source.

Here, the module corresponding to the content source may include at least one of an external input module, a DVD reproducing module, a VCR reproducing module, and a HDD reproducing module, and the module corresponding to the content destination may include at least one of a DVD recording module, a VCR recording module, a HDD storage module, and an external output module.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio/video (A/V) device, including an OSD processing unit to OSD process information, and a control unit to control the OSD processing unit so that the OSD processing unit produces an OSD screen indicating a flow of content among a plurality of modules constituting the A/V device.

The flow of the content may be indicated as content transfer from a content source to a content destination.

The flow of the content may be indicated by animation.

Further, the content flow may be changed with change in either or both of the content source and the content destination.

A module corresponding to at least one content source and a module corresponding to at least one content destination that receives the content from the content source may be displayed on the OSD screen.

Icon information obtained by OSD processing functions of respective modules may be further displayed on the OSD screen.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an operation of an audio/video (A/V) device, including receiving an OSD screen request signal, and producing and providing an OSD screen, a flow of content among a plurality of modules constituting the A/V device being displayed on the OSD screen.

The flow of the content may be indicated as content transfer from a content source to a content destination, and the flow of the content is indicated by animation.

The method may further include changing flow paths of the content with change in either or both of the content source and the content destination.

At least one module corresponding to a content source and at least one module corresponding to a content destination may be displayed on the OSD screen.

Further, icon information indicating, as OSD, the functions provided by the respective modules and a connection diagram indicating a connection relationship among the respective icons may be displayed on the OSD screen.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio/video (A/V) device including an OSD processing unit to OSD process information, and a control unit to control the OSD processing unit so that the OSD processing unit OSD processes a connection diagram indicating a connection relationship among a plurality of modules constituting the A/V device.

The control unit may control the OSD processing unit so that the OSD processing unit indicates content-movable paths among the plurality of modules as a first connection line, and control the OSD processing unit so that the OSD processing unit indicates content-moving paths among the plurality of modules as a second connection line other than the first connection line.

The control unit may control the OSD processing unit so that the OSD processing unit OSD processes a connection diagram between one module of the plurality of modules and the others, when a content recording medium is loaded into the one module.

The control unit may control the OSD processing unit so that the OSD processing unit eliminates the connection diagram between the one module and the others when the content recording medium is unloaded from the one module.

Further, the control unit may control the OSD processing unit so that, when a content is input from an external input module that is one module of the plurality of modules, the OSD processing unit OSD processes a connection diagram between the one module and the others.

The control unit may control the OSD processing unit so that, when the content input from the external input module is stopped, the OSD processing unit eliminates the connection diagram among the one module and the others.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an operation of an audio/video (A/V) device, including receiving an OSD screen request signal, and producing and providing an OSD screen, a connection diagram indicating a connection relationship among a plurality of modules constituting the A/V device being displayed on the OSD screen.

A content-movable path among the plurality of modules may be displayed by a first connection line on the OSD screen, and a content-moving path among the plurality of modules may be displayed by a second connection line other than the first connection line on the OSD screen.

The connection diagram between one module of the plurality of modules and the others may be displayed on the OSD screen when a content recording medium is loaded into the one module, and the connection diagram between the one module and the others on the OSD screen may be eliminated when the content recording medium is unloaded from the one module.

Further, when content is input from an external input module that is one module of the plurality of modules, a connection diagram between the one module and the others may be displayed on the OSD screen, and when the content input from the external input module is stopped, the connection diagram among the one module and the others on the OSD screen may be eliminated.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio/video (A/V) device, including an OSD processing unit to OSD process information, and a control unit to control the OSD processing unit so that the OSD processing unit OSD processes an operational state of the A/V device composed of a plurality of modules and operational states of the respective modules.

The operational state may comprise at least one of content viewing, content recording, content reproducing, and standby.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an operation of an audio/video (A/V) device, including receiving an OSD screen request signal, and producing and providing an OSD screen, an operational state of the A/V device composed of a plurality of modules and operational states of the respective modules being displayed on the OSD screen.

The operational state may comprise at least one of content viewing, content recording, content reproducing, and standby.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio/video (A/V) device, including an OSD processing unit to OSD process information, and a control unit to control the OSD processing unit so that the OSD processing unit OSD processes content flow among a plurality of modules constituting the A/V devices and, when the content flow among the plurality of modules is changed, OSD processes the content flow in response to the change in the content flow.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an operation of an audio/video (A/V) device, including receiving an OSD screen request signal, producing and providing an OSD screen, content flow among a plurality of modules constituting the A/V device being displayed on the OSD screen, and when the content flow among the plurality of modules is changed, changing the OSD screen in response to the change in the content flow.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio/video (A/V) device, including an OSD processing unit to OSD process information, and a control unit to control the OSD processing unit so that the OSD processing unit processes functions provided by the A/V device and at least one connected peripheral A/V device.

The control unit may control the OSD processing unit so that the OSD processing unit OSD processes an operational state of the A/V device and an operational state of the peripheral A/V device.

The OSD processing unit may indicate the A/V device and the peripheral A/V device as respective icons.

The control unit may control the OSD processing unit so that the OSD processing unit OSD processes a connection diagram indicating a connection relationship among the respective icons.

The A/V device may comprise either or both of a device corresponding to at least one content source that provides content and a device corresponding to at least one content destination that receives the content from the content source.

The peripheral A/V device may comprise either or both of a device corresponding to at least one content source that provides content and a device corresponding to at least one content destination that receives the content from the content source.

A device corresponding to the content source may include at least one of a DTT, a DVDP, a VCR, and a HDD, and a device corresponding to the content destination may include at least one of the DVDR, the VCR, and the HDD.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an operation of an audio/video (A/V) device, including receiving an OSD screen request signal, and producing and providing an OSD screen, functions provided by the A/V device and at least one connected peripheral A/V device being displayed on the OSD screen.

An operational state of the A/V device and an operational state of the peripheral A/V device may be displayed on the OSD screen, and the A/V device and the peripheral A/V device may be indicated by icons.

Further, a connection diagram indicating a connection relationship among the respective icons may be displayed on the OSD screen.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio/video (A/V) device, including an OSD processing unit to OSD process information, and a control unit to control the OSD processing unit so that the OSD processing unit produces an OSD screen, content flow among at least one connected peripheral A/V device being displayed on the OSD screen.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an operation of an audio/video (A/V) device, including receiving an OSD screen request signal, and producing and providing an OSD screen, content flow among at least one connected peripheral A/V device being displayed on the OSD screen.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio/video (A/V) device, including an OSD processing unit to OSD process information, and a control unit to control the OSD processing unit so that the OSD processing unit OSD-processes a connection diagram indicating at least one of a connection relationship between the A/V device and at least one connected peripheral A/V device and a connection relationship among the at least one peripheral A/V device.

The control unit may control the OSD processing unit so that the OSD processing unit indicates content-movable paths at least between the A/V device and the peripheral A/V device or among the peripheral A/V devices as a first connection line.

The control unit may control the OSD processing unit so that the OSD processing unit indicates content-moving paths at least between the A/V device and the peripheral A/V device or among the peripheral A/V devices as a second connection line other than the first connection line.

The control unit may control the OSD processing unit so that, when content recording medium is loaded into one of the A/V device and the peripheral A/V device, the OSD processing unit OSD processes a connection diagram between the one device and the others, and the control unit may control the OSD processing unit so that the OSD processing unit eliminates the connection diagram between the one device and the others when the content recording medium is unloaded from the one device.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an operation of an audio/video (A/V) device, including receiving an OSD screen request signal, and producing and providing an OSD screen, a connection diagram indicating at least one of a connection relationship between the A/V device and at least one connected peripheral A/V device and a connection relationship among the at least one peripheral A/V device being displayed on the OSD screen.

Content-movable paths at least between the A/V device and the peripheral A/V device or among the peripheral A/V devices may be displayed on the OSD screen as a first connection line.

Content-moving paths at least between the A/V device and the peripheral A/V device or among the peripheral A/V devices may be displayed on the OSD screen as a second connection line other than the first connection line.

When a content recording medium is loaded into one of the A/V device and the peripheral A/V device, a connection diagram between the one device and the others may be displayed on the OSD screen. The connection diagram between the one device and the others on the OSD screen may be eliminated when the content recording medium is unloaded from the one device.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio/video (A/V) device, including an OSD processing unit to OSD process information, and a control unit to control the OSD processing unit so that the OSD processing unit OSD processes operational states of the A/V device and at least one connected peripheral A/V device.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an operation of an audio/video (A/V) device, including receiving an OSD screen request signal, and producing and providing an OSD screen, operational states of the A/V device and at least one connected peripheral A/V device being displayed on the OSD screen.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio/video (A/V) device, including an OSD processing unit to OSD process information, and a control unit to control the OSD processing unit so that the OSD processing unit OSD processes content flow between the A/V device and at least one connected peripheral A/V device and changes the OSD in response to change in the content flow between the A/V device and the at least one peripheral A/V device.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an operation of an audio/video (A/V) device, including receiving an OSD screen request signal, and producing and providing an OSD screen, content flow between the A/V device and at least one connected peripheral A/V device being displayed on the OSD screen, and when the content flow between the A/V device and the at least one peripheral A/V device is changed, changing the OSD screen in response to the change in the content flow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 2is a block diagram of a combination A/V device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The combination A/V device according to an embodiment may be a combination system that may be implemented by incorporating two or more A/V devices each performing independent functions, such as a television (TV), a digital terrestrial television (DTT), a video cassette recorder (VCR), a digital versatile disk player (DVDP), a DVD recorder (DVDR), a set-top box (STB), or the like. In this embodiment, a combination system in which a DTT, a VCR, and a DVDR are incorporated into a single set will be described by way of example.

Referring toFIG. 2, the combination A/V device according to the present invention may be composed of a DTT unit100, a VCR unit200, and a DVDR unit300. The DTT unit100may be a digital broadcasting set top box for tuning and demodulating an external digital broadcasting signal. The VCR unit200may be a recording and reproducing apparatus that records or reproduces A/V data in or from a magnetic recording medium such as a VCR tape. The DVDR unit300may be a recording and reproducing apparatus that records or reproduces A/V data in or from an optical recording medium, such as a compact disk (CD), a DVD, or the like.

Further, the combination A/V device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be connected to, and used with, an external display device400such as a TV. A broadcasting signal received by the DTT unit100or an A/V signal reproduced by the VCR unit200or the DVDR unit300may be output to the external display device400.

The DTT unit100may include a tuner110, a demodulating unit120, a decoder130, and a DTT control unit140. The tuner110may tune in one channel, selected by the user, among a plurality of channels, which may be received as digital broadcasting signals from ground waves, a satellite, a cable, or the like.

The demodulating unit120may demodulate the digital broadcasting signal received from the tuner110, and demultiplex the demodulated broadcasting signal into a video signal, an audio signal and a broadcasting information signal.

The decoder130may decode the demultiplexed video, audio and broadcasting information signals. The video and audio signals contained in the digital broadcasting signal received by the tuner110may be signals compressed into a given format. The decoder130also may decompress the compressed video and audio signals. The compressed video and audio signals may be in a moving picture experts group (MPEG) format.

The DTT control unit140may control an overall operation of the DTT unit100. For example, the DTT control unit140may control the tuning operation of the tuner110, the decoding operation of the decoder130, and the like under the control of a DVDR control unit390(described below).

The VCR unit200may include a VCR deck unit210, a VCR signal processing unit220, and a VCR control unit230.

The VCR deck unit210may record data on the magnetic tape, or read the data from the magnetic tape to output the data to an A/V switching unit340(described below under the control of the VCR control unit230.

The VCR signal processing unit220may convert the data from the A/V switching unit340into a format that is recordable in the magnetic tape under the control of the VCR control unit230. The VCR signal processing unit220also may convert the data, read by the VCR deck unit210, into a format that can be displayed on the external display device400.

The VCR control unit230may control an overall operation of the VCR unit200. For example, the VCR control unit230may control the recording and reproducing operations of the VCR deck unit210under the control of the DVDR control unit390.

The DVDR unit300may include an external input terminal310, a DVDR deck unit320, an MPEG coder/decoder (MPEG CODEC)330, an A/V switching unit340, an A/V signal processing unit350, an external output terminal360, an OSD processing unit370, a front panel380, and a DVDR control unit390.

The external input terminal310may be connected to external A/V devices such as a digital camcorder, a digital camera, or the like. The external input terminal310may receive A/V signals from external A/V devices and apply them to the A/V switching unit340.

The DVDR deck unit320may record or read data in or from a loaded optical recording medium under the control of the DVDR control unit390. The data read by the DVDR deck unit320may be provided to the MPEG CODEC330.

The MPEG CODEC330may compress to-be-recorded data into a signal of a given format and apply the compressed signal to the DVDR deck unit320. The MPEG CODEC330also may decode the data read by the DVDR deck unit320.

The A/V switching unit340may establish a delivery path for A/V signals under the control of the DVDR control unit390. For example, the A/V switching unit340may apply either or both of A/V signals from the DTT unit100, the VCR unit200, the external input terminal310and the MPEG CODEC330to the A/V signal processing unit350. The A/V switching unit340also may apply one of the A/V signals from the DTT unit100and the external input terminal310to the VCR signal processing unit220or the MPEG CODEC330under the control of the DVDR control unit390.

The A/V signal processing unit350may convert the A/V data, which may be received from the decoder130of the DTT unit100or the MPEG CODEC330via the A/V switching unit340, into a format that is displayable on the external display device400under the control of the DVDR control unit390. The A/V signal processing unit350can bypass the A/V signal from the VCR signal processing unit220to the external output terminal360without performing separate signal processing.

The external output terminal360may be connected to the external display device400. The external output terminal360may output the A/V signal from the A/V signal processing unit350to the external display device400.

The OSD processing unit370may provide a user interface (UI) (hereinafter, “menu screen”) obtained by on screen display (OSD) processing the flow of content, wherein the flow of content indicates a plurality of modules in the combination A/V device, functions thereof, and the operation of the combination A/V device. The term “module” is used in its broadest sense, and may include, not by way of limitation, content sources, content destinations, content operations, and the like. The OSD menu screen, which may be produced by the OSD processing unit370, may be provided via the A/V signal processing unit350and the external output terminal360to the external display device400where the OSD menu screen may be displayed.

The front panel380may be a user interface for receiving operation instructions to set or select functions supported by the combination A/V device. The front panel380may include a keypad382equipped with various function keys, and an IR receiving unit384for receiving an infrared signal from a remote control500, which is an external input device.

The DVDR control unit390may control the overall operation of the combination A/V device in response to user operation signals from the front panel380. The DVDR control unit390may control the recording and reproducing operations of the DVDR deck unit320, the compression and decompression operations of the MPEG CODEC330, the switching operation of the A/V switching unit340, and the like according to the user's operation signal. In response to the user's operation signal, the DVDR control unit390may further control the DTT unit control unit140controlling the operation of the DTT unit100or the VCR control unit230controlling the operation of the VCR unit200.

It has been shown and described in this embodiment that the DTT unit100, the VCR unit200, and the DVDR unit300may be provided with separate control units140,230and390that control the functions and operations thereof, respectively, wherein the DVDR control unit390in the DVDR unit300may function as a main control unit. Although it has been illustrated in this embodiment that the DVDR control unit390is allocated as the main control unit for the combination A/V device, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. That is, it will be apparent that the DTT control unit140or the VCR control unit230may perform the function of the main control unit. In addition, it will be apparent that the control units140,230and390, which control the respective units100,200and300, may be implemented as a single control unit rather than such separate units.

Hereinafter, an exemplary process of controlling the operation of the combination A/V device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail in conjunction with processing the menu screen.

FIG. 3is a flowchart of a method of controlling the operation of a combination A/V device, such as that shown inFIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 3, when receiving a menu screen request signal via the IR receiving unit384from the remote control500(S610), the DVDR control unit390may control the OSD processing unit370, the A/V signal processing unit350, and the external output terminal360so that a menu screen indicating the operation of the combination A/V device as content flow may be displayed on the external display device400(S620). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the menu screen is provided in response to selecting a ‘menu key’ (not shown) or a specific key of the remote control500.

FIG. 4Ais a schematic representation of an exemplary menu screen that an OSD processing unit provides in response to a menu screen request signal, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 4A, a menu screen700may be composed of a first region710where information as to a current operational state of the combination A/V device may be displayed, a second region720where icon information for a plurality of modules constituting the combination A/V device and information for operational states of the respective modules may be displayed, and a third region730where keys of the remote control500may be displayed.

Icon information indicating the modules constituting the combination A/V device and the functions thereof in a text and icon format, and a connection diagram indicating a connection relationship between the respective icons may be displayed in the second region720. Here, the connection diagram may include a first connection line (e.g., a solid line) indicating a path via which the content actually moves in response to the user's selection and additional connection lines (e.g., dotted line) indicating paths via which the content may move.

Although in this embodiment all paths among the respective icons via which the content may move may be displayed, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. That is, it will be apparent that only paths via which the content may actually move may be displayed depending on the states of the respective modules. For example, the DVDR control unit390may determine whether an optical recording medium or a magnetic tape is loaded into the DVDR deck unit320or the VCR deck unit210and control the additional connection lines to be selectively displayed. That is, when it is determined that the recording medium is loaded into the VCR deck unit210or the DVDR deck unit320, the DVDR control unit390may control the connection diagram between the icon indicating the VCR or the DVDR and other icons to be displayed. Meanwhile, when it is determined that the recording medium is unloaded from the VCR deck unit210or the DVDR deck unit320, the DVDR control unit390may control the connection diagram between the icon indicating the VCR or the DVDR and the other icons to be eliminated. It will be apparent that with this method, the DVDR control unit390may determine whether content is input from the external input module and, if so, control the connection diagram indicating a connection relationship between the icon corresponding to the external input module and the other icons to be selectively displayed.

Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, an operational situation of the combination A/V device may be indicated by the flow of the content, and in turn the flow of the content may be indicated by content transfer from a content source to a content destination.

InFIG. 4A, icons indicating an antenna, a first external input, and a second external input are modules corresponding to the content sources. An icon indicating a TV screen is a module corresponding to the content destination. Further, icons indicating the DVDR and the VCR are modules corresponding to both the content source and the content destination. That is, when the DVDR or the VCR performs a recording function, it may become the content destination and, when the DVDR or VCR performs a reproducing function, it may become the content source.

Keys of the remote control500for selecting the various icons displayed in the second region720may be displayed in the third region730. That is, an input selection key for selecting an external input, a channel UP/DOWN key for selecting a broadcasting channel, a DVDR recording/reproducing key, and a VCR key may be displayed in the third region730.

The user can select a desired function by operating the icons displayed on the menu screen700or the keys of the remote control500corresponding to the icons displayed on the menu screen700(S630). The DVDR control unit390may perform the function selected by the user and change the flow of the content depending on the selected content source and content destination (S640). The DVDR control unit390may control the OSD processing unit370to change the menu screen700in response to the change in the content flow.

When receiving a menu screen close key signal through the front panel380(S650), the DVDR control unit390may close the menu screen700(S660).

An exemplary process of changing the flow of the content according to a user's key operation will be discussed. First, if a DVDR recording function is selected while the antenna is selected as the content source and the TV screen as the content destination as inFIG. 4A, the flow of the content may be changed as shown inFIG. 4B.FIG. 4Bshows that the content received through the antenna is being output on the TV screen and simultaneously is being recorded by the DVDR. The information displayed in the first region710of the menu screen700, the path of the content flow displayed in the second region720, and the keys of the remote control500displayed in the third region730may change with the change in the content source or the content destination. Further, icons corresponding to the modules that are currently operating by means of the user's selection may be embodied by various methods such as highlight processing, shaded display processing, color conversion processing, or the like to allow the user to easily recognize the operational state of the modules.

If a time slip function is selected by the operation of the remote control500while the content received through the channel numbered 11 is being output on the TV screen and simultaneously is being recorded by the DVDR as inFIG. 4B, the flow path of the content is changed as shown inFIG. 4C. The time slip function may be a function by which simultaneous recording and reproducing are possible. The DVDR control unit390may control the DVDR deck unit320so that the DVDR deck unit320continues to record the content received via the antenna on the optical recording medium loaded into the DVDR deck unit320in response to selecting the time slip function, and simultaneously, reproduce scenes recorded on the optical recording medium in response to selecting the recording function. The user can recognize, from the content flow displayed on the menu screen700, that the content received via the antenna is being currently recorded on the optical recording medium and simultaneously the user is viewing on the TV screen the content recorded three minutes and ten seconds earlier.

FIG. 4Dshows content flow when a VCR recording function is selected by a user's operation as shown inFIG. 4D. It shows that the content received via the antenna may be provided to both the VCR and the TV screen. Accordingly, the user can recognize that the content being currently displayed on the TV screen is the content received via the channel numbered 11, and that the content being currently displayed on the TV screen is being recorded by the VCR.

FIG. 4Eshows content flow when the first external input is selected as the content source and the TV screen as the content destination. The user can recognize, from the menu screen700as shown inFIG. 4E, that the currently viewed content is the content received via the first external input. Further,FIG. 4Fshows content flow when the DVDR recording function is selected under the state as shown inFIG. 4E. The user can recognize that the content that the user is currently viewing on the TV screen is the content received via the first external input, and simultaneously, that the content received via the first external input is being recorded by the DVDR.

FIG. 4Gshows content flow when the second external input is selected as the content source and the TV screen as the content destination. The user can recognize, from the menu screen700, that the content received via the second external input is being provided to the TV screen. In other words, the user can recognize that the content that the user is currently viewing on the TV screen is the content received via the second external input.FIG. 4Hshows content flow when the DVDR recording function is selected in the state as shown inFIG. 4G. The user can recognize that the scenes that the user is currently viewing on the menu screen700is the content received via the second external input and that the content received via the second external input is being recorded by the DVDR.

FIG. 4Ishows content flow when the DVDR is selected as the content source and the TV screen as the content destination. The user can recognize that the recorded content in the DVDR is being reproduced.FIG. 4Jshows content flow when the VCR is selected as the content source and the TV screen as the content destination. The user can recognize, from the menu screen700, that the recorded content in the VCR is being currently reproduced.

FIG. 4Kshows that the DVDR is in a standby state, wherein the DVDR is selected as the content source while no content destination is selected. In other words, it means that the optical recording medium which is a recording and/or reproducing object has been loaded into the DVDR deck unit320. Further,FIG. 4Lshows that the VCR is in a standby state, which means that the VCR is selected as the content source while no content destination is selected. That is, it means that the magnetic tape has been loaded into the VCR deck unit210.

Meanwhile, although in this embodiment the content flow is indicated with a different color depending on the type of the selected content source, which visually highlights the flow of the content to allow the user to easily recognize it, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. That is, it will be apparent that the content flow may be indicated by a number of representations, including not by way of limitation, animation, such that the content flow is implemented as if the content actually appears to move.

Further, according to an embodiment, the menu screen700may be displayed to overlap the content on the TV screen, as shown inFIGS. 4ato4l. Alternatively, it will be apparent that the menu screen700may be displayed separately from the content on the TV screen.

Alternatively, a menu screen800may be transparent, as shown inFIG. 5. Advantageously, it is possible to view the content on the TV screen even though it is overlapped by the menu screen800, when the menu screen800is transparent as inFIG. 5.

InFIG. 5, the content source and the content destination may be displayed separately on the menu screen800. However, the operation may be similar with that of the menu screen700as shown inFIGS. 4ato4l. Accordingly, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Meanwhile, although, in an embodiment, the combination system in which a DDT unit100, a VCR unit200and a DVDR unit300are combined into one set has been described by way of example, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. That is, the combination A/V device according to the present invention is not necessarily required to include all of the units, e.g. a DTT unit100, a VCR unit200, and a DVDR unit300. Further, the respective units are not necessarily required to be combined into one set. That is, it will be apparent that the present invention is applicable to A/V network devices connection diagramed over a communication network.

FIG. 6is a schematic representation of an A/V system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 6, the A/V system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a DVDR900, a DTT1000, a VCR1100and a display device1200. The respective devices may be connection diagramed over a communication network such as a wired and wireless local area network (LAN). Here, the DVDR900, the DTT1000, and the VCR1100are devices that may correspond to content sources, and the DVDR900, the VCR1100and the display device1200are devices that may correspond to content destinations.

The A/V system according to this embodiment is different from the combination A/V device as shown inFIG. 1in that the DVDR900, the DTT1000, the VCR1100and the display device1200may be connection diagramed over the communication network. However, both A/V devices may be similar to each other in terms of a process of OSD processing and displaying operational states of the respective devices, a connection relationship among the respective devices, and the flow of content, and accordingly, a detailed description thereon will be omitted.

As such, it will be apparent that, even when the present invention is applied to an A/V system, it may be required to have a main device that controls at least one A/V device connected over a communication network, as in the combination A/V device as shown inFIG. 2. For example, when the DVDR900is set as the main device that controls at least one A/V device connected over the communication network, the DVDR900may provide an OSD screen, which may be obtained by OSD processing operational states of the peripheral A/V devices (i.e., DTT1000, VCR1100, and display device1200) connected to the DVDR900over the communication network, the connection relationship among the respective devices, and the flow of the content, in response to a user's request.

It will be apparent that the present invention is also applicable to A/V devices connection diagramed via a cable, as well as the A/V network devices connection diagramed over a communication network as described above.

As described, according to embodiments of the present invention, it is possible for a user to easily recognize the operations in or among A/V devices, by providing a user interface in which the operations in A/V devices or among A/V network devices connected over a network are visualized into flow of content. It provides convenient operations for a user.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible for a user to easily recognize a connection relationship in or among A/V devices by OSD processing and providing the connection diagram in or between the A/V devices. As such, the present invention is effectively applicable to A/V devices capable of handling a number of sources and/or destinations of content and performing a number of tasks on the contents.