Image displaying method and display using the same

A method of controlling a display device selectively displaying one of a first signal received from a first signal source and a second signal received from a second signal source is provided. The method includes the steps of: displaying the second signal; detecting whether the first signal is received; and displaying the first signal when the first signal is received by the display device.

This application claims the benefit of Taiwan application Serial No. 95124903, filed Jul. 7, 2006, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates in general to an image displaying method and a display device using the method, and more particularly to an image displaying method and a display device using the method with the high convenience.

2. Description of the Related Art

Video entertainment has occupied an indispensable position in the life of the modern human beings, and a display device, such as a television, is an indispensable element. In general, audio and video interfaces are provided at a front end or a lateral end of the television so that the consumer can perform the easy installation. After the consumer has installed a peripheral audio-video (AV) apparatus, such as a video game machine or a DVD drive, the television and the video game machine are respectively turned on, and then an input port is selected by switching the channel. Thus, the frame of the peripheral AV signal source can be represented on the frame of the television.

FIG. 1(Prior Art) is a state diagram showing operation mode switching of a conventional television100. Referring toFIG. 1, the television100has multiple operation modes, such as an off mode102, a standby mode104, a TV mode106, a first AV operation mode111and second to nthAV operation modes112to11n. The television100is usually in the off mode102, in which the television100is not powered on yet. After the television100is powered on, the television100is in the standby mode104.

When the user turns on the power switch, the television has a chance to be in the TV mode106. Then, the input port may be selected by switching the channel, and the operation mode of the television may be sequentially switched to the first AV operation mode111to the nthAV operation mode11n, or from the nthAV operation mode11nto the TV mode106. The first AV operation mode111to the nthAV operation mode11nrespectively correspond to the different peripheral AV signal sources, such as a DVD drive or a video game machine. Either the television100is in the TV mode106or one of the first AV operation mode111to the nthAV operation mode11n, the television100goes back to the standby mode104when the user turns off the power switch. The television100is in the off mode102after it is powered off.

However, the peripheral AV signal source, such as the video game machine, is frequently used at home by users, wherein most of the users are kids. The kids usually do not understand how to select the operation mode of the television, and thus need the help of the adults in selecting the correct operation mode so that the AV operation mode corresponding to the used peripheral AV signal source may be selected. Consequently, the selection of the operation mode may bring the trouble to the adults for a long time, and the convenience in use is also deteriorated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to an image displaying method and a display device using the same, wherein hardware and software are combined so that an operation mode of a television is switched from a current mode to a first priority mode when the first priority mode of the television is triggered. Thus, the television displays an image corresponding to the first priority mode and the convenience in use can be enhanced.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a television capable to be operated in a plurality of operation modes comprising a first priority mode is provided. The television is connected to a plurality of signal sources. The television includes a screen, a plurality of input ports, a detecting circuit and a processor. The input ports respectively connect to the plurality of signal sources, and one of the input ports is corresponding to the first priority mode. The detecting circuit detects whether a first signal is received at the input port corresponding to the first priority mode. When the first signal is received at the input port corresponding to the first priority mode, the television is triggered to operate in the first priority mode. The processor displays the first signal on the screen when the television is in the first priority mode.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method of controlling a display device selectively displaying one of a first signal received from a first signal source and a second signal received from a second signal source is provided. The method includes the steps of: displaying the second signal; detecting whether the first signal is received; and displaying the first signal when the first signal is received by the display device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a display device is provided. The display device includes a screen, a first input port, a second input port, a detecting circuit and a processor. The first input port receives a first signal from a first signal source. The second input port receives a second signal from a second signal source. The detecting circuit detects whether the first signal is presented at the first input port. The processor selectively controls one of the first signal and the second signal to be displayed on the screen. When the detecting circuit determines the first signal is presented at the first input port, the processor displays the first signal on the screen. When the detecting circuit determines the first signal is absent from the first input port, the processor displays the second signal on the screen.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a method of controlling a display device is further provided. The display device is capable to be operated in a standby mode or a turn-on mode, receives a first signal from a first signal source. The method includes the steps of: setting the display device to operate in the standby mode; detecting whether the first signal is received; and setting the display device to operate in the turn-on mode and displaying the first signal when the first signal is received by the display device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a display device is provided. The display device includes a screen, an input port, a detecting circuit, a processor and a standby power circuit. The input port receives a first signal from a first signal source. The detecting circuit detects whether the first signal is presented at the input port. The processor selectively controls the display device to be operated in one of a standby mode and a turn-on mode. The processor controls the display device to be operated in the turn-on mode and displays the first signal on the screen when the detecting circuit determines that the first signal is presented at the input port. The processor controls the display device to be operated in the standby mode when the detecting circuit determines the first signal is absent at the input port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an image displaying method and a display device using the same, wherein hardware and software are combined so that an operation mode of a television is switched from a current mode to a first priority mode when the first priority mode of the television is triggered. Thus, the television displays an image corresponding to the first priority mode and the convenience in use can be enhanced.

FIG. 2is a flow chart showing an image displaying method applied to a television according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG. 2, the television usually has many operation modes including, for example, an off mode, a standby mode and a turn-on mode. The turn-on mode includes, for example, a TV mode, a game mode or many audio-video (AV) operation modes.

First, in step200, the user sets one of the operation modes as a first priority mode. Of course, this first priority mode may also be set as one of the operation modes when the television is shipped out. Then, in step202, the television operates in a current mode, which is one of the operation modes. Next, in step204, the television has a chance to determine whether the first priority mode is triggered. For example, when the television receives a video signal corresponding to the first priority mode, the television has a chance to determine whether the first priority mode is triggered. If the first priority mode is triggered, the operation mode of the television is switched from the current mode to the first priority mode in step208so that the television displays an image corresponding to the first priority mode.

FIG. 3is a state diagram showing operation mode switching of a television300according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG. 3, the television300individually receives a television signal from a television signal source, receives a video signal, which is outputted after a video game machine is turned on, from the video game machine, and receives many video signals from the AV signal sources. The television300has an off mode302, a standby mode304, a TV mode306, a game mode308and many AV operation modes31x(x=1 to n). The television300displays the television signal, the video signal outputted after the video game machine is turned on and the video signals in the TV mode306, the game mode308and the AV operation modes, respectively. In this illustrated embodiment, the game mode308is set as the first priority mode. When the television300is not connected to an external power, such as the mains, the television300is in the off mode302. When the television300is connected to the external power and the video signal outputted from the video game machine does not exist, the television300is in the standby mode304. After the user turns on the power switch, the television300enters the turn-on mode, and the television300may be set, in advance, as directly entering the first priority mode (e.g., the game mode308) or staying in the last mode before the user shuts down the television300.

If the television300receives the video signal of the first priority mode, which is outputted after the video game machine is turned on, that is, when the television300determines that the video signal outputted after the video game machine is turned on exists, the television300determines that the first priority mode is triggered. No matter which one of the standby mode304, the TV mode306and the AV operation modes31x(x=1 to n) is entered by the television300, the television300immediately switches to the game mode308so as to display the image corresponding to the video signal outputted from the video game machine after the video game machine is turned on without requesting the user to operate the television300again. Thus, the user can start to operate the video game machine and view the operation result on the television300.

When the user wants to switch the operation mode to another mode, he or she can switch the operation mode of the television300to one of the AV operation modes31x(x=1 to n), to the standby mode304, to the TV mode306and then back to the game mode308sequentially by switching the channel. In addition, when the video game machine is powered off, the television300determines whether the video signal, which is outputted after the video game machine boots, is absent and then goes back to the previous current mode, such as the standby mode304, the TV mode306, or one of the AV operation modes31x(x=1 to n).

Three examples for mode switching will be illustrated in detailed in the following.FIG. 4Ais a state diagram showing an example of the operation mode switching of the television according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG. 4A, when the television300is set as the TV mode and receives the television signal from the television signal source, the user may watch the television program. At this time, if the television300determines that the video signal outputted after the video game machine is turned on exists, the first priority mode is triggered and the television300automatically switches to the game mode308so as to display the video signal after the video game machine is turned on without the channel selecting operation being made by the user. When the television300determines that the video signal after the video game machine is turned on is absent, the television300goes back to the TV mode306and displays the image corresponding to the television signal.

FIG. 4Bis a state diagram showing another example of the operation mode switching of the television according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG. 4B, when the television300is set as the first AV operation mode and receives the video signal from the audio-video (AV) signal source, the user may watch a film played by the first AV signal source, such as the film outputted from a VCD player or a DVD player. At this time, if the television300determines that the video signal outputted after the video game machine is turned on exists, the first priority mode is triggered and the television300automatically switches to the game mode308so as to display the video signal outputted after the video game machine is turned on without the channel selecting operation being made by the user. When the television300determines that the video signal outputted after the video game machine is turned on is absent, the television300goes back to the first AV operation mode311and displays the video signal.

FIG. 4Cis a state diagram showing still another example of the operation mode switching of the television according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG. 4C, when the television300is set as the standby mode304and the television300determines that the video signal outputted after the video game machine is turned on exists, the first priority mode is triggered and the television300automatically operates in the turn-on mode so as to display the video signal outputted after the video game machine is turned on without the channel selecting operation being made by the user. When the television300determines that the video signal outputted after the video game machine is turned on is absent, the television300goes back to the standby mode304.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the first priority mode is illustrated by taking the game mode308as a non-restrictive example, and any other mode may also be set as the first priority mode.

FIG. 5is a block diagram showing a television500having a first priority mode according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 5, the television500includes a display screen502, input ports504x(x=1 to n), a detecting circuit506and a processor508. The input ports504x(x=1 to n) respectively receive the video signals, which are respectively outputted from the AV signal sources corresponding to these operation modes. For example, the input ports504x(x=1 to n) respectively receive the video signal outputted after the video game machine is turned on from the video game machine, receive the television signal from the television signal source or receive the corresponding video signals from the AV signal sources.

The detecting circuit506detects whether the AV signal source corresponding to the first priority mode outputs the video signal. When the television500receives the video signal corresponding to the first priority mode, the detecting circuit506determines that the video signal corresponding to the first priority mode exists, and the first priority mode of the television500is triggered. The processor508can selectively control one of the video signal, the television signal and the video signal outputted after the video game machine is turned on to be displayed on the display screen. When the first priority mode is triggered, the processor508outputs the video signal corresponding to the first priority mode to the display screen502. When the television500cannot receive the video signal corresponding to the first priority mode any longer, the detecting circuit506determines that the video signal corresponding to the first priority mode is absent, and the processor508outputs the video signal corresponding to the current mode to the display screen502. The television500further includes a standby power circuit510for supplying a standby power to the detecting circuit506and the processor508when the television500is in the standby mode.

FIG. 6is a circuit diagram showing an example of the detecting circuit506according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG. 6, when the television500receives the video signal Video corresponding to the first priority mode, a transistor Q1turns on through the cooperation of a first inverting amplifier5061and a second inverting amplifier5062. After a predetermined period of time, a capacitor C1is boosted to a fixed voltage so that the transistor Q1outputs a high-level processor waking signal Detect_pin to trigger the processor508and make the processor508output the video signal corresponding to the first priority mode to the display screen502so that the video signal can be displayed on the frame of the television500preferentially.

The embodiment of the invention is illustrated by taking the television as an example, and may also be applied to other displays without restricting the scope of the television.

In the image displaying method and the display using the same according to the invention, the hardware and software are combined so that the operation mode of the television is switched from the current mode to the first priority mode when the first priority mode of the television is triggered. Thus, the television displays the image corresponding to the first priority mode and the convenience in use can be enhanced. In addition, the user needs not to perform any complicated switching operation on the television and the operation mode can be switched to the first priority mode quickly. Thus, the object of enhancing the convenience in use may be achieved in this invention.

More particularly, when the user is a kid who wants to use the video game machine, the kid can start to use the video game machine by only inserting the connector of the video game machine into the television without any switching operation. Thus, the adult does not have to assist the kid in performing the complicated switching operation and the kid can start to use the video game machine easily. Meanwhile, it is also possible to prevent the kid from damaging the television when the kids incorrectly operate the television.