Display device and method for labeling AV signal input sources

A method for labeling input sources in a display device includes connecting to a plurality of input sources, at a plurality of input terminals within the display device, and then controlling display of a main input menu listing the input terminals and corresponding ones of the input sources. An image from one of the input sources or input terminals selected from the main input menu is displayed with a name of the input source and a name of the input terminal corresponding to the selection made from the main input menu. The main input menu may not be displayed when the image and names of the input source and input terminal are displayed.

BACKGROUND

One or more embodiments described herein relate to a display device.

Generally, a television is provided with external input terminals for receiving various inputs from a video 1, a video 2, a component 1, a component 2, and a RGB, as well as a sky wave, that is, a RF (radio frequency) through an antenna. In this state, the television receives video and audio signals from the external input terminals, and outputs image and voice. Accordingly, a user can use various external devices of a VCR, a cable, a game, a DVD, and a set-top box connected with the respective external input terminals.

However, if the user cannot memorize respective connections between the external input terminals and the external devices, the user cannot directly change the external device to a desirable input source. For example, if the user desires to watch the DVD, the user cannot directly change to the corresponding input source. That is, there is requirement for sequentially selecting the respective input sources by using a remote control key, and checking the image according to the selected input source. Also, on inputting the input source, the image of the presently selected input source is displayed on a screen of the television. However, it is impossible for the user to check that the displayed image of the selected input source is outputted from which of the external devices.

In the television according to the related art, the user has to check the external device connected by the input terminal of the television and a signal line, for selection of the desirable input source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates a display device (e.g., a television system) having an input source labeling function according to the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, a tuner21tunes a terrestrial or cable broadcasting signal. Then, an audio/video switch22receives audio and video signals (AV signals) from various AV input sources (external devices), as well as the turned signal outputted from the tuner21, and selects any one among the received signals, and then outputs the selected signal. For example, the audio/video switch22selects one of the AV signals from a VCR (video cassette recorder), a cable box, a video game system, a DVD (digital video disc) player, a set-top box, a camcorder, and a computer, and then outputs the selected signal. The signals received by the audio/video switch22include at least one of video, voice, supplemental information, and text data.

A controller27displays a menu for labeling the AV input sources on a display unit25. Also, if a user inputs representative identifications (IDs) of the AV input sources and a system information of the AV input sources, the controller27stores the inputted the representative identifications and the system information in a memory26. For example, the system information of the AV input sources includes a system type, a manufacturer, a serial number, and a format of data outputted from the AV input source.

In addition, a user interface28receives a user's command, and transmits the user's command to the controller27. The user interface28may be a remote controller or a key panel of the display device. The memory26stores the representative identifications of the AV input sources, and/or the system information of the AV input sources.

A signal processor23receives the AV signal outputted from the audio/video switch22, and converts the signal to image and sound. That is, the signal processor23divides the received signal into a video signal and an audio signal, and it converts the video signal to a displayable image signal and converts the audio signal to a signal suitable for being outputting through a speaker24. The signal processor23may include a video processor and an audio processor in order to perform these functions.

The display device according to the present invention includes a plurality of input terminals connected with the external AV input sources. For example, the display device according to the present invention, includes at least one of a video input terminal, a component input terminal, and an RGB input terminal, at the rear thereof, and includes a front input terminal at the front thereof. The input terminals are respectively connected with the external AV input sources, and the input terminals transmit the signals outputted from the external input sources to audio/video switch22.

An AV input source labeling method according to the present invention will be described as follows.FIG. 2illustrates a flow chart of illustrating the AV input source labeling method according to the present invention.

The controller27determines whether the user selects a menu key of the user interface28(S31). In this case, if the user selects the menu key, a menu window of an OSD (on screen display) type is displayed (S32).

Next, the controller27determines whether the user selects an option (Aux. Label) for labeling the AV input sources connected to the display device from the menu window (S33). If the user selects the option (Aux. Label), the controller27reads input terminal information stored in the memory26. The input terminal information includes titles of the input terminals, a data format suitable for the input terminals, and a kind of the external AV input sources suitable for the input terminal.

After selecting the option (Aux. Label) for labeling the input sources, as illustrated inFIG. 3, the controller27displays an input source label menu on a screen. The input source label menu includes a list of options for selecting one of pre-stored representative identifications of the AV input sources corresponding to the input terminals and an input field for manually inputting the representative identifications of the AV input sources corresponding to the input terminals. For example, the input source label menu includes a list of the input terminals such as a video 1, a video 2, a front video, a component 1, a component 2, and an RGB, and also includes the option list for selecting the external AV input sources (VCR, cable box, game, DVD, set-top box, computer, etc.). Also, the controller27may display the input terminal information.

FIG. 4illustrates the representative identifications selected or inputted for each AV input source. Referring toFIG. 4, it is possible for the user to select or input the representative identifications corresponding to the input terminals on the input source label menu by using the remote controller or the key panel of the display device. Also, the user may input the system information of the AV input sources by using the input source label menu. The system information of the AV input sources includes the class of the external device, the name of manufacturing company, the serial number, and the format of data outputted from the AV input sources.

On selecting the representative identifications of the AV input sources (S36), the user selects an option (Menu Prev.) for storing the selected representative identifications of the AV input sources and the system information of the AV input sources. After selecting the option (Menu Prev.), the controller27generates label information inclusive of the representative identifications and the system information of the AV input sources, and then stores the label information in the memory26(S36).

As described above, after labeling the AV input sources, the user may check or change the labeled AV input sources. If the user selects a main input option, the controller27reads the label information stored in the memory26, and then displays a list of the labeled AV input sources on the screen, on the basis of the label information, as shown inFIG. 5.

After labeling the AV input sources, the user may change the AV input sources providing the A/V signal during watching broadcasting. For example, the user selects the menu key of the user interface28, as shown inFIG. 5, the controller27displays the list of the labeled AV input sources on the screen. Then, if the user selects one desirable AV input source from the list of the labeled AV input sources (S37), as shown inFIG. 6, the controller27displays the image outputted from the selected AV input source on the screen, and simultaneously, displays the representative identification (VCR) of the selected AV input source corresponding to the input terminal (Video 1) on one portion of the screen (S38). In this state, the corresponding input terminal (video 1) and the system information of the selected AV input source are also displayed on the screen. The representative identification (VCR) of the selected AV input source may be displayed on the screen during a predetermined time period, or may be displayed on the screen during an entire time period for displaying the image of the selected AV input source. If the representative identification of the AV input source is not displayed on the screen during playing the image of the selected AV input source, the user may select a confirmation key in order to display the representative identification of the selected AV input source on the screen.

Also, the user may use a hot key of the user interface28in order to display the representative identifications of the AV input sources along with the images of the AV input sources in sequence on the screen.

Accordingly, one or more embodiments described herein relate to a display device and a method for labeling AV input sources. In one or more of these embodiments, identification information of AV input sources are provided on a display screen.

In accordance with one embodiment, a method for labeling input sources in a display device comprises receiving first command signal for selecting a main input menu; displaying the main input menu stored in a memory, wherein the main input menu lists a name of an input terminal and a name of an input source corresponding to the input terminal; receiving second command signal for selecting the input terminal; displaying an image from the selected input terminal with the name of the input terminal and the name of the input source corresponding to the input terminal, wherein the main input menu is not displayed when the image and both of the names are displayed; and stopping displaying both of the names after a predetermined period of time expires.

The main input menu may further comprise a first region comprised of a name of a first input terminal if a name of an input source corresponding to the first input terminal is not inputted.

The main input menu may further comprise a second region comprised of a name of a second input terminal and a name of an input source corresponding to the second input terminal if the name of the input source corresponding to the second input terminal is inputted.

The method may also include receiving third command signal for selecting an input source label menu; controlling to read information on the input terminal stored in the memory; and displaying a kind of input sources suitable for the input terminal in the input source label menu. The input source label menu may further comprise system information corresponding to each of the input sources.

The step of receiving the first command signal may be performed by using a hot key in a remote controller or a key panel in the display device.

The method may further comprise receiving confirmation signal for displaying the both of the names; and displaying the both of the names for the predetermined period of time. Also, at least one of input terminals may be positioned at a rear region of the display device and at least one of the input terminals may be positioned at a front region of the display device. In addition, the image may comprise at least one of video information, text information or supplemental information.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method for labeling input sources in a display device comprises receiving first command signal for selecting an input source label menu; displaying the input source label menu, wherein the input source label menu comprises a list of input terminals and a window for selecting a name of an input source corresponding to one of the input terminals; receiving second command signal for selecting the name of the input source; storing the selected name of the input source corresponding to the one of the input terminals into a memory; receiving third command signal for selecting a main input menu; and displaying a name of the one of the input terminals and the stored name of the input source corresponding to the one of the input terminals in the main input menu.

The step of displaying the input source label menu may further comprise: controlling to read information on the input terminal stored in the memory; and displaying a kind of input sources suitable for the input terminal in the input source label menu. The input source label menu may further comprise system information corresponding to each of the input sources. Also, the step of receiving the second command signal performs by using an input field or an option list in the window.

In addition, the method may comprise receiving fourth command signal for selecting the one of the input terminals; displaying an image from the selected input terminal with the name of the input terminal and the name of the input source corresponding to the input terminal, wherein the main input menu is not displayed when the image and both of the names are displayed; and stopping displaying both of the names after a predetermined period of time expires.

In addition, the main input menu may comprise a first region comprised of a name of a first input terminal if a name of an input source corresponding to the first input terminal is not inputted. Also, the main input menu may comprise a second region comprised of a name of a second input terminal and a name of an input source corresponding to the second input terminal if the name of the input source corresponding to the second input terminal is inputted.

In addition, at least one of the input terminals may be positioned at a rear region of the display device and at least one of the input terminals may be positioned at a front region of the display device. In addition, the image comprises at least one of video information, text information or supplemental information.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method for labeling input sources in a display device comprises: displaying broadcast data; receiving first command signal for selecting a main input menu; displaying the main input menu listing a name of an input terminal and a name of an input source corresponding to the input terminal during displaying the broadcast data, wherein both of the names are stored in a memory; receiving second command signal for selecting the input terminal; and controlling an image from the selected input terminal to display and stopping displaying of the broadcast data.

The controlling step may comprise displaying the image from the selected input terminal with the name of the input terminal and the name of the input source corresponding to the input terminal, wherein the main input menu is not displayed when the image and both of the names are displayed; and stopping displaying both of the names after a predetermined period of time expires.

In addition, the main input menu may comprise a first region comprised of a name of a first input terminal if a name of an input source corresponding to the first input terminal is not inputted. The main input menu may also comprise a second region comprised of a name of a second input terminal and a name of an input source corresponding to the second input terminal if the name of the input source corresponding to the second input terminal is inputted.

In addition, the method may comprise receiving third command signal for selecting an input source label menu; controlling to read information on the input terminal stored in the memory; and displaying a kind of input sources suitable for the input terminal in the input source label menu. The input source label menu may further comprise system information corresponding to each of the input sources.

In addition, the step of receiving the first command signal may be performed by using a hot key in a remote controller or a key panel in the display device.

In addition, the method may comprise receiving confirmation signal for displaying the both of the names; and displaying the both of the names for the predetermined period of time. At least one of input terminals may be positioned at a rear region of the display device and at least one of the input terminals may be positioned at a front region of the display device. Also, the image may comprise at least one of video information, text information or supplemental information.

In the display device according to the present invention, the user can select the representative of the external AV input sources corresponding to the input terminal, and then the representative is stored in the memory. Accordingly, the user can identify the external AV input sources corresponding to the input terminals with easiness, and select the image of the desirable AV input source.

In accordance with another embodiment, a display device includes a plurality of input terminals respectively connected to a plurality of input sources; a controller configured to display a menu of setting label information of the input sources on a screen, and to display the corresponding label information along with an image of the input source selected by a user; and a memory configured to store the received label information of the input sources.

The menu includes a list of options for selecting one of pre-stored representative identifications of the input source, or includes an input field for manually inputting representative identification of the input source.

The label information includes representative identifications of the input sources, and further includes at least one of manufacturer of the input source, a serial number, and a format of data to be outputted from the input source.

The memory stores input terminal information. The input terminal information includes at least one of tides of the input terminals, a data format suitable for each of the input terminals, and a kind of the input sources suitable for each of the input terminals.

The controller displays an image of the input source selected by the user and the stored label information of the selected input source on the screen.

In addition, the display device further includes a switch for selecting one of signals received from the input sources, and a signal processor for converting an image of the input source selected by a user and the stored label information of the selected input source into a displayable signal.

In another aspect, a display device includes a memory configured to store representative identifications (IDs) of a plurality of input sources corresponding to a plurality of input terminals and system information of the input sources; and a controller for displaying the ID of the selected input source and the system information of the selected input source on a screen.

In another aspect, a method for labeling input sources includes displaying a menu for labeling a plurality of the input sources on a screen; setting representative IDs of the input sources corresponding to a plurality of input terminals and system information of the input sources by using the menu; and storing the set representative IDs and the set system information in a memory.