Display apparatus and method thereof

A display apparatus and a method thereof. The display apparatus includes a display with variable transparency, a sensor which senses a location of at least one of a person and an object, and a controller which determines proximity of the at least one of the person and the object to the display based on a result of the sensing by the sensor, and adjusts the transparency of the display differently according to a result of the determining. Accordingly, a user can easily recognize contents displayed on the display screen having high transparency in the display apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0084860, filed on Aug. 2, 2012, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Methods and apparatuses consistent with exemplary embodiments relate to a display apparatus and a method thereof, and more particularly, to a display apparatus which provides a transparent display screen and a method thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

As electronic technologies develop, various kinds of display apparatuses are used. In recent years, there is more research and discussion on next generation display apparatuses such as a transparent display apparatus.

A display apparatus which provides a transparent display screen (hereinafter, referred to as a transparent display apparatus) refers to an apparatus which has transparency and thus allows a background view i.e., allows views behind the apparatus to be seen. Conventionally, a display panel is manufactured using an opaque semiconductor compound such as silicon (Si) or gallium arsenide (GaAs). However, as various application fields that an existing display panel cannot deal with have been developed, an effort to develop an electronic element of a new type has been made. One of those that have been developed under such an effort is a transparent display apparatus.

The transparent display apparatus is realized in the form of including a transparent oxide semiconductor film and thus provides transparency. If such a transparent display apparatus is used, a user can see necessary information through a screen of the transparent display apparatus, while seeing a background view provided behind the apparatus. Therefore, the transparent display apparatus can remove constraints of space and time that conventional display apparatuses have.

The transparent display apparatus may be conveniently used in various environments for various purposes. For instance, if a show window of a store is realized by a transparent display apparatus, the show window displays advertising copy when a customer is passing by the store and arouses the customer's interest. Also, if a window of a veranda in a house is provided with a transparent display apparatus, a user can view various multimedia contents through the window of the veranda which has a large size, so that user's satisfaction can be improved.

As described above, the transparent display apparatus has many advantages due to its transparency in comparison with the conventional display apparatuses. However, the transparent display apparatus has also disadvantages due to its transparency. For example, information to be provided to a user on the screen could not be seen well due to such transparency.

Therefore, there is a demand for a technology for using a transparent display apparatus more effectively and diversely.

SUMMARY

One or more exemplary embodiments may overcome the above disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. However, it is understood that one or more exemplary embodiments are not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and may not overcome any of the problems described above.

One or more exemplary embodiments provide a display apparatus which can display information effectively and a method thereof.

According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a display apparatus including: a display with variable transparency, a sensor which senses a location of an entity, and a controller which determines proximity of the entity to the display based on a result of the sensing by the sensor, and which adjusts transparency of the display differently according to a result of the determining.

The display apparatus may further include a storage which stores a threshold value for determining the proximity by the controller. In addition, when a distance between the display and the entity is less than or equal to the stored threshold value, the controller may decrease the transparency of the display to be lower than a pre-set transparency.

When the distance between the display and the entity is greater than the threshold value, the controller may maintain the display at the pre-set transparency or returns the display to the pre-set transparency.

If the distance between the display and the entity is less than or equal to the threshold value, the controller may control the display to display a border area on the display.

The storage may further store a plurality of transparency levels which are classified by the proximity of the entity to the display, and the controller may adjust the transparency of the display according to a transparency level, selected from among the plurality of transparency levels, corresponding to the determined proximity.

The display may provide a content execution screen which has a transparency lower than the pre-set transparency, and if the distance between the display and the entity is less than or equal to the threshold value, the controller may increase the transparency of the display displaying contents to the pre-set transparency.

The display may provide a content execution screen which has a transparency higher than the pre-set transparency, and if the distance between the display and the entity is less than or equal to the threshold value, the controller may decrease the transparency of a portion of the display where pre-set information is displayed.

The display apparatus may further include a communication interface which communicates with an external apparatus. In addition, if the distance between the display and the entity is less than or equal to the threshold value, the controller may decrease transparency of an area on which a content associated with user information received from the external apparatus is displayed to be lower than the pre-set transparency based on the user information.

The sensor may include at least one of a proximity sensor, an IR sensor, an RF sensor, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and a touch sensor.

The sensor may further sense an ambient temperature of the display. In addition, the controller may determine the proximity of the entity to the display based on the sensed ambient temperature.

According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method of displaying a display screen of a display apparatus, the method including: sensing a location of an entity, determining proximity of the entity to the display screen based on a result of the sensing, and adjusting transparency of the display screen differently according to a result of the determining.

The adjusting may include, when a distance between the display screen and the entity is less than or equal to a stored threshold value, decreasing the transparency of the display screen to be lower than a pre-set transparency.

The adjusting may include, when the distance between the display screen and the entity is greater than the threshold value, maintaining or returning the transparency to the pre-set transparency.

If the distance between the display screen and the entity is less than or equal to the threshold value, the adjusting may include displaying a border area on the display screen.

If the distance between the display screen and the entity is less than or equal to the threshold value, the adjusting may include changing the display screen to a pre-set screen.

The adjusting may include adjusting the transparency of the display screen according to a transparency level, selected from among a plurality of transparency levels, corresponding to the distance between the display screen and the entity. In addition, the plurality of transparency levels may be classified by the proximity of the entity to the display screen and are pre-stored.

The adjusting may include providing a content execution screen which has a transparency lower than the pre-set transparency, and if the distance between the display screen and the entity is less than or equal to the threshold value, the adjusting may include increasing the transparency of the display screen displaying contents to the pre-set transparency.

The adjusting may include providing a content execution screen which has transparency higher than the pre-set transparency. In addition, if the distance between the display screen and the entity is less than or equal to the threshold value, the adjusting may include decreasing transparency of a portion of the screen on which pre-set information is displayed.

If the distance between the display screen and the entity is less than or equal to the threshold value, the adjusting may include decreasing the transparency of only a portion of the screen on which a content associated with user information received from an external apparatus is displayed to be lower than the pre-set transparency based on the user information.

The sensing may include sensing by at least one of a proximity sensor, an IR sensor, an RF sensor, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and a touch sensor.

The sensing may further include sensing an ambient temperature of the display screen, and the determining may include determining the proximity of the entity to the display screen based on the sensed ambient temperature.

The entity may include at least one of a person or a part thereof and an object.

The controller may control the display to display the border area in a distinct color.

According to the various exemplary embodiments described above, the user can easily recognize the contents displayed through the display screen having high transparency in the display apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following description, same reference numerals are used for analogous elements when they are depicted in different drawings. The matters defined in the description, such as detailed construction and elements, are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments. Thus, it is apparent that exemplary embodiments can be carried out without those specifically defined matters. Also, functions or elements known in the related art are not described in detail since they would obscure the exemplary embodiments with unnecessary detail.

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 1, a display apparatus100includes a sensor110, a display120, a controller130, a storage140, and a communication interface150.

The sensor110senses a location of at least one of a person and an object, and may be realized by at least one of a proximity sensor, an infrared ray (IR) sensor, a radio frequency (RF) sensor, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and a touch sensor. According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor110may be mounted on a front surface and/or a rear surface of the display apparatus100. For example, if a user approaches the front surface of the display apparatus100, the sensor110mounted on the front surface may sense a location of the user approaching the front surface of the display apparatus100. On the other hand, if the user approaches the rear surface of the display apparatus100, the sensor110mounted on the rear surface may sense a location of the user approaching the rear surface of the display apparatus100. The technology for measuring a distance to the display apparatus100by sensing a location of an object or a user, which is located in the proximity of the display apparatus100, using the sensor110is well known, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor110may further include a temperature sensor and may sense an ambient temperature of the display120using the temperature sensor.

Transparency of the display120is adjustable. By adjusting the transparency of the display120, the display apparatus100can display a content provided by the display apparatus100and allow all objects including a person located at one side of the display apparatus100to be seen therethrough. According to an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus100may be realized in various forms such as a transparent liquid crystal display (LCD) type, a transparent thin-film electroluminescent panel (TFEL) type, a transparent organic electro luminescence display (OLED) type, and a projection type. Various exemplary embodiments of the structure of the display apparatus100described above will be explained below. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the display apparatus100may be realized as a transparent display made from other materials than the transparent LCD type, the transparent TFEL type, the transparent OLED type, and the projection type.

The transparent LCD type refers to a display apparatus that removes a backlight unit from an existing LCD apparatus and uses a pair of polarizing plates, an optical film, a transparent thin film transistor, and a transparent electrode. The transparent LCD apparatus has low transmittance due to the presence of the polarizing plate or the optical film and also has low light efficiency since ambient light is used instead of the backlight unit, but has the advantage of being able to realize a large size transparent display.

The transparent TFEL type refers to an apparatus that uses an alternating current inorganic thin film electro luminescence display (AC-TFEL) comprised of a transparent electrode, an inorganic fluorescent substance, and an insulating film. The AC-TFEL is a display that emits light by exciting the fluorescent substance by allowing accelerated electrons to pass through the inorganic fluorescent substance. If the transparent display120is realized by the transparent TFEL, the controller130adjusts the electron to be projected onto an appropriate location and determines an information display location. Since the inorganic fluorescent substance and the insulating film have transparency, a very transparent display may be realized.

The transparent OLED refers to a display apparatus that uses an OLED which emits light by itself. Since an organic light emitting layer is transparent, if transparent electrodes are used as opposite electrodes, the OLED may be used as a display apparatus. The OLED injects electrons and holes into opposite sides of the organic light emitting layer so that the electrons and the holes are combined with each other in the organic light emitting layer and thus light is emitted. The transparent OLED apparatus displays information by injecting electrons and holes into a desired location using this principle.

FIG. 2is an exemplary view illustrating a detailed structure of a transparent OLED type display according to an exemplary embodiment.

For the convenience of explanation, reference numeral120-1is used for the transparent OLED type display. As shown inFIG. 2, the display120-1of the transparent OLED type includes a transparent substrate121-1, a transparent transistor layer122-1(which includes various dielectric films127-1and128-1), a first transparent electrode123-1, a transparent organic light emitting layer124-1, a second transparent electrode125-1, and a connection electrode126-1.

The transparent substrate121-1may use a polymer material such as plastic having transparency or glass. The material of the transparent substrate121-1may be determined according to an environment to which the display apparatus100is applied. For instance, the polymer material may be used in a portable display apparatus due to its lightness and flexibility, and the glass may be used for a show window of a store or a general window.

The transparent transistor layer122-1refers to a layer that includes a transistor which is manufactured using a transparent material such as zinc oxide or titanium oxide instead of opaque silicon of an existing thin film transistor. The transparent transistor layer122-1includes a source, a gate, a drain, and various dielectric films127-1and128-1, and also includes the connection electrode126-1to electrically connect the drain and the first transparent electrode123-1.FIG. 2illustrates only one transparent transistor including the source, the gate, and the drain in the transparent transistor layer122-1, but in practice, a plurality of transparent transistors which are evenly distributed over a whole area of a display surface may be provided. The controller130applies a control signal to gates of the transistors of the transparent transistor layer122-1, thereby driving a corresponding transistor and displaying information.

The first transparent electrode123-1and the second transparent electrode125-1are disposed opposite to each other with reference to the transparent organic light emitting layer124-1. The first transparent electrode123-1, the transparent organic light emitting layer124-1, and the second transparent electrode125-1form transparent organic light emitting diodes (OLED).

The transparent organic light emitting diode is divided into a passive matrix OLED (PMOLED) and an active matrix OLED (AMOLED) according to a driving method. The PMOLED forms a pixel at a location where the first and the second transparent electrodes123-1and125-1intersect each other. On the other hand, the AMOLED includes a thin film transistor (TFT) to drive each pixel.FIG. 2illustrates the AMOLED.

The first transparent electrode123-1and the second transparent electrode125-1include a plurality of line electrodes. The plurality of line electrodes are aligned perpendicular to each other. For example, if the line electrodes of the first transparent electrode123-1are aligned in a horizontal direction, the line electrodes of the second transparent electrode125-1are aligned in a vertical direction. Accordingly, a plurality of intersecting areas are formed between the first transparent electrode123-1and the second transparent electrode125-1. The transparent transistor is connected to each intersecting area as shown inFIG. 2.

The controller130generates a potential difference in each intersecting area using the transparent transistor. Electrons and holes flow into the transparent organic light emitting layer124-1from each electrode in each intersecting area in which the potential difference is formed, and are combined with each other, so that light is emitted. On the other hand, an intersecting area in which a potential difference is not generated does not emit light and accordingly a background view behind the apparatus is transparently seen through such an intersecting area.

An indium tin oxide (ITO) may be used for the first and the second transparent electrodes123-1and125-1. A new material such as graphene may be used. The graphene refers to a material that has a honeycomb plane structure in which carbon atoms are connected to one another, and has transparency. Besides these, various materials may be used for the transparent organic light emitting layer124-1, as is known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

As described above, the display120(shown inFIG. 1) may be a projection type display apparatus, a transparent TFEL type display apparatus, and a transparent OLED type display apparatus. The projection type refers to a method that displays an image by projecting the image onto a transparent screen such as a head up display.

FIG. 3is an exemplary view illustrating a detailed structure of a projection type display according to an exemplary embodiment.

For the convenience of explanation, reference numeral120-2is used for the projection type display. The projection type display120-2includes a transparent screen121-2, an optical apparatus122-2, and a light source apparatus123-2.

The light source apparatus123-2emits light for displaying information using various types of light sources such as a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD), a cathode ray tube (CRT), an LCD, and an LED. The optical apparatus122-2transmits the light emitted from the light source apparatus123-2to the transparent screen121-2and projects the light onto the transparent screen121-2. The optical apparatus122-2may be realized by a light guide plate which includes at least one lens and a mirror.

The light source apparatus123-2and the optical apparatus122-2may be realized by a single display module. Accordingly, the display module is disposed at upper, lower, left, and right borders of the transparent screen121-2to project light onto the transparent screen121-2and display information on the transparent screen121-2according to an exemplary embodiment. Alternatively, a holography method, which uses laser as a light source, may be used. In this case, information is directly depicted on the transparent screen121-1using laser.

The transparent screen121-2may be made of general glass. The structure of the display120-2ofFIG. 3may be employed if the display apparatus100is applied to a window of a movable object such as a vehicle, a ship, and an airplane, a window of a house, and a viewing window of a store. As described above, the display apparatus100according to an exemplary embodiment is applied to various environments, and recognizes a location of a user or an object, forms a screen based on the location, and displays the screen.

As described above, if a location of at least one of a person and an object is sensed by the sensor110, the controller130calculates a distance measurement value by measuring a distance between the sensed location and the display120. After that, the controller130compares the calculated distance measurement value and a threshold value pre-stored in the storage140, and controls to adjust the transparency of the display120. The calculated distance measurement value is a measurement value of a distance between the sensed location of at least one of the person and the object and the display120, and the threshold value pre-stored in the storage140may be a value based on which it is determined whether at least one of the person and the object approaches the display apparatus100or not.

Accordingly, if the calculated distance measurement value is less than or equal to the pre-stored threshold value, the controller130may decrease the transparency of the display120to be lower than pre-set transparency, and, if the calculated distance measurement value is greater than the pre-stored threshold value, the controller130may return the transparency to the pre-set transparency. If the transparency of the display120is decreased to be lower than the pre-set transparency, visibility of content currently displayed through the display120increases. If the transparency is returned to the pre-set transparency, the transparency of the display120increases and visibility of the object which is located outside of the display apparatus increases.

The above-described exemplary sensor110may further include a temperature sensor and may sense an ambient temperature of the display120using the temperature sensor. In this case, the controller130may determine whether at least one of a person and an object approaches the display120or not based on an ambient temperature sensed by the sensor110. That is, the controller130compares the ambient temperature sensed by the sensor110and a pre-stored threshold value. If the ambient temperature is higher than or equal to the pre-stored threshold value, the controller130may decrease the transparency of the display120to be lower than pre-set transparency, and, if the ambient temperature is lower than the pre-stored threshold value, the controller130returns the transparency of the display120to the pre-set transparency.

As described above, the controller130according to an exemplary embodiment determines whether at least one of the person and the object is approaching according to the location of the at least one of the person and the object or the ambient air. The transparency of the display120may be adjusted differently according to a result of the sensing by the sensor110, and hereinafter, an operation of determining whether at least one of the person and the object is approaching the display apparatus100according to the location of the at least one of the person and the object, and adjusting the transparency of the display120differently according to the result of the determining will be explained in detail. Hereinafter, the operation of adjusting the transparency of the display120differently according to various exemplary embodiments will be explained.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the controller130may compare a calculated distance measurement value and a threshold value pre-stored in the storage140, and may adjust the transparency of the display120differently. As described above, the calculated distance measurement value is a value indicating a distance between a location of at least one of a person and an object and the display120, and the threshold value pre-stored in the storage140is a value based on which it is determined whether at least one of the person and the object is approaching the display apparatus100. Accordingly, if the calculated distance measurement value is less than or equal to the pre-stored threshold value, the controller130decreases the transparency of the display120to be lower than pre-set transparency, and, if the calculated distance measurement value is greater than the pre-stored threshold value, the controller130returns the transparency of the display120to the pre-set transparency. As described above, in an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus100may adjust the transparency of the display120differently according to the proximity of at least one of the person and the object to the display apparatus100.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the controller130may compare the calculated distance measurement value and the threshold value pre-stored in the storage140, and, if the calculated distance measurement value is less than or equal to the threshold value, the controller130may display a border area of the display120in a different color. For example, if the calculated distance measurement value is less than or equal to the pre-stored threshold value, the controller130may control to display the border area of the display120in blue. According to such a control command, the display120displays the border area in blue. Accordingly, the user can easily recognize an entire contour of the display apparatus100by the color displayed on the transparent display120. In the state in which the border area of the display120is displayed in blue, if the calculated distance measurement value is greater than the threshold value, the controller130may return the border area of the display120which is displayed in the different color to its original state.

According to still another exemplary embodiment, the controller130may compare the calculated distance measurement value and the threshold value pre-stored in the storage140, and, if the calculated distance measurement value is less than or equal to the threshold value, the controller130may change a current screen displayed through the display120to a pre-set screen. On the other hand, if the calculated distance measurement value is greater than the threshold value, the controller130may change the pre-set screen displayed through the display120to a transparent screen. As described above, according to the proximity of at least one of the person and the object to the display120, the controller130may increase the transparency of the display120so that the object located outside of the display apparatus100is seen through the display120, or may change the screen on which the object seen through the display120is displayed into the pre-set screen.

According to still another exemplary embodiment, the controller130may adjust the transparency of the display120differently according to a result of comparing the calculated distance measurement value and the threshold value pre-stored in the storage140. Specifically, the storage140may store a plurality of transparency levels which are classified by the proximity of at least one of the person and the object to the display120. Accordingly, if a distance measurement value between at least one of the person and the object and the display120is calculated based on a location sensed by the sensor, the controller130may adjust the transparency of the display120differently based on a transparency level corresponding to the calculated distance measurement value from among the plurality of transparency levels stored in the storage140.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the display120may provide a content execution screen which has transparency lower than pre-set transparency. In this case, if the calculated distance measurement value is less than or equal to the pre-stored threshold value as a result of comparing the calculated distance measurement value and the threshold value pre-stored in the storage140, the controller130may increase the transparency of the display120providing the content execution screen to the pre-set transparency.

Specifically, the display120may display content received from a server through a communication interface150communicating with the server providing the content. The communication interface150communicating with the server providing the content may include various communication modules such as a near field communication (NFC) module (not shown) and a wireless communication module (not shown). The NFC module (not shown) may be Bluetooth or Zigbee, and the wireless communication module (not shown) may be a module which is connected to an external network for communication according to a wireless communication protocol such as Wi-Fi or IEEE. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this and the wireless communication module (not shown) may be a mobile communication module which is connected to a mobile communication network for communication according to various mobile communication standards such as 3rdgeneration (3G), 3rdgeneration partnership project (3GPP), and long term evolution (LTE). Accordingly, if a content is received from a server through such a communication module, the display120may display the received content.

However, the present disclosure is not limited to this and the display120may receive content from a server through a receiver (not shown) such as a network interface card, or may receive content through an external apparatus including various types of recording media such as a CD, a DVD, a hard disk, a blue-ray disk, a memory card, and an USB memory. The server which provides content may be a web server which provides a web page content.

As described above, if a location of at least one of a person and an object is sensed in a state in which content is being displayed on the screen through the display120, the controller130calculates a distance measurement value by measuring a distance between the sensed location and the display120. After that, the controller130compares the calculated distance measurement value and a threshold value pre-stored in the storage140. If the distance measurement value is less than or equal to the pre-stored threshold value as a result of the comparison, the controller130determines that at least one of the person and the object approaches and increases the transparency of the display120displaying the content to the pre-set transparency. Accordingly, the display120displaying the content allows the object located outside the display to be seen through the display and displays the object on the screen.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the display120may provide a content execution screen which has transparency higher than a pre-set transparency. In this case, if the calculated distance measurement value is less than or equal to the pre-set threshold value as a result of comparing the calculated distance measurement value and the threshold value pre-stored in the storage140, the controller130may decrease transparency of an area on which pre-set information is displayed out of a whole area of the display120. According to such a control command, the display120allows the object located outside of the display to be seen through only a certain area or areas of the entire area of the screen and displays the object onto the screen, and also displays pre-set information on the other area through which the object is not seen.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the communication interface150described above with reference toFIG. 1may communicate with an external apparatus. If the calculated distance measurement value is less than or equal to the threshold value pre-stored in the storage140, the controller130may decrease transparency of an area on which a content associated with user information received from the external apparatus through the communication interface150is to be displayed to be lower than pre-set transparency based on the user information. According to such a control command, the display120allows the object located outside to be seen through only the other area on which the content associated with the user information is not displayed, and decreases transparency of the area on which the content is displayed. Accordingly, the user can easily recognize the content associated with the user through the area in which the transparency is decreased.

Up to now, the operation of each element of adjusting the transparency of the display screen in the display apparatus100has been described. Hereinafter, the operation of the display apparatus100described above will be explained in detail with reference toFIGS. 4 to 12.

FIG. 4is an exemplary view illustrating a display apparatus which provides a transparent display screen according to an exemplary embodiment, andFIG. 5is an exemplary view illustrating a display apparatus which provides a display screen with adjusted transparency according to an exemplary embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 4, the display apparatus100allows an object10located outside of the display to be seen through the display and thus displays a matching object10′ on a display screen. In an exemplary embodiment, an object seen through the display screen is defined as a matching object. The display apparatus100which displays the matching object10′ using the display screen as described above may display a plurality of contents20along with the matching object10′.

The display apparatus100, which displays the matching object10′ corresponding to the object10located outside of the display and is seen through the transparent display and the plurality of contents20on the display screen, as described above, may set transparency of the display screen to a pre-set transparency.

That is, the display apparatus100senses a location of at least one of a person and an object periodically. In an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus100is limited to sensing a location of a person or object. As shown inFIG. 4, if a location of user's finger30is sensed, the display apparatus100calculates a distance measurement value by measuring a distance between the finger30and the display apparatus100based on the sensed location of the finger30. After that, the display apparatus100compares the calculated distance measurement value and a pre-stored threshold value, and, if the distance measurement value is greater than the pre-stored threshold value, the display apparatus10maintains the pre-set transparency of the display screen as shown inFIG. 4. That is, the display apparatus determines that the user's finger30does not approach the display apparatus100and thus maintains the pre-set transparency of the display screen. Accordingly, an image of the matching object10′ is displayed more clearly than images of the contents20i.e., the display remains transparent.

On the other hand, in an exemplary embodiment, the user's finger30may move toward the display apparatus100as show inFIG. 5. In this exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus100senses a location of the user's finger30which is moved toward the display apparatus100and measures a distance between the finger30and the display apparatus100based on the sensed location of the finger30. After that, the display apparatus compares the calculated distance measurement value and the pre-stored threshold value, and, if the distance measurement value is less than or equal to the pre-stored threshold value, the display apparatus100decreases the transparency of the display screen to be lower than the pre-set transparency, as shown inFIG. 5. That is, the display apparatus100determines that the user's finger30approaches the display apparatus100and decreases the transparency of the display screen to be lower than the pre-set transparency. Accordingly, the images of the contents20are more clearly displayed than the image of the matching object10′ displayed on the display screen.

FIG. 6is another exemplary view illustrating a method of adjusting transparency of the display screen in the display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 6, if a user does not approach, the display apparatus100maintains pre-set transparency of the display screen. Accordingly, the display screen has the transparency to the extent that one side of the display apparatus100is transparent such that objects outside the display apparatus100can be seen through the display screen and can be displayed. On the display screen having the pre-set transparency, as described in an exemplary embodiment above, a plurality of contents20may be displayed. Definition of the plurality of contents20displayed on the display screen is maintained to the extent that the contents20placed on their respective areas are visible.

In the state in which the pre-set transparency of the display screen is maintained, the user may grip the display apparatus100using his/her hand60. In this case, the display apparatus100may determine that the user's hand60is in contact with the display apparatus100by comparing a distance measurement value for a distance between the user's hand60in contact with the display apparatus100and the display apparatus100, and a pre-stored threshold value. However, this should not be considered as limiting but is provided by way of an example only. The display apparatus100may determine whether the user's hand60is in contact with the display apparatus100or not using a touch sensor, and may determine that the user's hand60is in contact with the display apparatus100.

If it is determined that the user's hand60is in contact with the display apparatus100as described above, the display apparatus100displays a border area of the display screen in a pre-set color400according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, if it is determined that the user's hand60is in contact with the display apparatus100, the border area of the display screen may be displayed in blue. The other area of the display screen maintains the pre-set transparency. Accordingly, the display screen except for the border area allows the plurality of contents20which have low definition and a part of the user's hand60supporting a rear surface of the display apparatus100to be seen therethrough, and displays the same.

FIG. 7is another exemplary view illustrating a method of adjusting the transparency of the display screen of the display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 7, if the user does not approach the display apparatus, the display apparatus100maintains the pre-set transparency of the display screen. Accordingly, the display screen has the transparency to the extent that objects outside the display apparatus100can be seen through the display screen and can be displayed. A plurality of contents20may be displayed on the display screen having the pre-set transparency. Accordingly, definition of the plurality of contents20displayed on the display screen is maintained to the extent that the contents placed on their respective areas are visible.

In the state in which the pre-set transparency of the display screen is maintained, the user may grip the display apparatus100using his/her own hand60. In an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus100may determine that the user's hand60is in contact with the display apparatus100by comparing a distance measurement value for a distance between the user's hand in contact with the display apparatus100and the display apparatus100and a pre-stored threshold value. However, this should not be considered as limiting and is provided by way of an example only. The display apparatus100may determine whether the user's hand60is in contact with the display apparatus100using a touch sensor and determine that the user's hand60is in contact with the display apparatus100.

If it is determined that the user's hand60is in contact with the display apparatus100as described above, the display apparatus100displays a border area of the display screen in a pre-set color400. For example, if it is determined that the user's hand60is in contact with the display apparatus100, the border area of the display screen may be displayed in blue. Simultaneously, the display apparatus100adjusts the transparency of the display screen to be lower than the pre-set transparency. Accordingly, the other area of the display screen except for the border area displays the plurality of contents20which have high definition and allows only a contour of the user's hand60supporting the rear surface of the display apparatus100to be seen through the display screen. However, this should not be considered as limiting and is provided by way of an example only. In an exemplary embodiment, if the transparency of the display screen is adjusted to be 0, only the plurality of contents20may be displayed on the display screen without the user's hand60being visible.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus100may adjust the transparency of the display screen in phases according to a proximity of at least one of a person and an object.

FIGS. 8A to 8Care exemplary views illustrating a method of adjusting transparency of the display screen of the display apparatus in phases according to an exemplary embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 8A, if a user does not approach the display apparatus, the display apparatus100maintains pre-set transparency of the display screen. Accordingly, the display screen allows an object10located outside of the display apparatus100to be seen through the display apparatus and thus, displays a matching object10′ corresponding to the object10. The display apparatus, which displays the matching object10′ through the display screen having the pre-set transparency, may display a plurality of contents20using the display screen. Definition of the plurality of contents20displayed on the display screen is maintained to the extent that the contents20placed on their respective areas are visible.

In the state in which the pre-set transparency of the display screen is maintained, if user's finger30moves to point A (shown inFIG. 8Baccording to an exemplary embodiment), the display apparatus100calculates a distance measurement value by measuring a distance between the user's finger30at point A and the display apparatus100. After that, the display apparatus100checks whether the calculated distance measurement value is less than or equal to a pre-stored threshold value by comparing the calculated distance measurement value and the pre-stored threshold value. If the distance measurement value is less than or equal to the pre-stored threshold value, the display apparatus100adjusts the transparency of the display screen according to a transparence level corresponding to the calculated distance measurement value from among a plurality of transparency levels pre-stored in the storage unit140. For example, the transparency levels may be set from 0 to 5 at intervals of 10 cm. In an exemplary embodiment, if a distance between the user's finger30approaching within a value lower than the pre-stored threshold value and the display apparatus100is 30 cm as shown inFIG. 8B, the display apparatus100adjusts the transparency of the display screen to be at a transparency level 3. Accordingly, the definition of the matching object10′-1and the plurality of the contents20-1displayed on the display screen are maintained at a similar level.

If the user's finger30moves from point A to point B as shown inFIG. 8Caccording to an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus100may adjust the transparency to be lower than that of the display screen ofFIG. 8B. For instance, if a distance between the user's finger30at point B and the display apparatus100is 10 cm, the display apparatus100may adjust the transparency of the display screen to be at a transparency level 1. Accordingly, the plurality of contents20-1may have a much higher definition that that of the matching object10′-2displayed on the display screen, and the definition of the matching object10′-2has the opposite level of definition to that of the plurality of contents20-1, as shown by way of an example inFIG. 8C. After that, if the user's finger30is in contact with the display screen, the display apparatus100may adjust the transparency of the display screen to be at a transparency level 0. Accordingly, only the plurality of contents20are displayed on the display screen and the matching object10′-2may be no longer visible.

FIGS. 9A and 9Bare other exemplary views illustrating a method of adjusting the transparency of the display apparatus according to proximity of the user according to an exemplary embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 9A, the display apparatus100may be mounted on a refrigerator700, and may receive pre-stored contents or contents transmitted from an external server and may display the contents on the display screen. The display apparatus, which displays the pre-stored contents or the contents transmitted from the external server as described above, may determine whether a user approaches or not by sensing a location of the user periodically.

Specifically, if a user70approaches the refrigerator700as shown inFIG. 9B, the display apparatus100senses a location of the user70and calculates a distance measurement value by measuring a distance between the sensed location and the display apparatus100. After that, the display apparatus100compares the calculated distance measurement value and a pre-stored threshold value, and, if the calculated distance measurement value is less than or equal to the pre-stored threshold value, the display apparatus determines that the user70approaches the refrigerator700and adjusts the transparency of the display screen displaying the contents to be a pre-set transparency. Accordingly, the transparency of the display screen displaying the contents is adjusted to be the pre-set transparency, so that foods701to703stored in the refrigerator700can be visible i.e., see through the display screen. Accordingly, the user may check the foods701to703stored in the refrigerator700using the transparent display screen without opening the refrigerator door.

FIG. 10is another exemplary view illustrating a method of adjusting the transparency of the display apparatus according to proximity of the user according to an exemplary embodiment.

If it is determined that the user70approaches the refrigerator700, as shown by way of an example inFIG. 9B, the display apparatus100adjusts the transparency of the display screen to be a pre-set transparency. Accordingly, the transparency of the display screen displaying a content is adjusted to be the pre-set transparency, so that the foods701-704stored in the refrigerator700can be visible (seen) through the display screen and can be displayed. At this time, the display apparatus100may analyze images of the foods701to704displayed on the display screen and may provide additional information on each food701to704.

According to an exemplary embodiment, when a new food is stored in the refrigerator700, the display apparatus100photographs and stores an image of the food. In this case, the display apparatus100may determine a storage period of the food based on the date when the image is photographed, and match and store additional information including the storage period with the image. Accordingly, when the stored food is projected and displayed on the display screen, the display apparatus100may provide additional information matched with the image corresponding to the projected food.

In another exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus100photographs and stores an image of a food to be stored in the refrigerator700. In this case, the display apparatus100may read RF (Radio Frequency) information attached to a wrapper of the food using a RF sensor, obtain additional information (e.g., an expiration date, a country of origin, and ingredients of a food, etc.) from the read RF information, match and store the obtained additional information with the pre-photographed image. Accordingly, when the stored food is projected and displayed on the display screen, the display apparatus100may provide additional information matched with the image corresponding to the projected food.

As shown inFIG. 10, the foods701to704stored in the refrigerator700are visible (seen) through the display screen and are displayed, and additional information701-1to704-1are displayed on one side of each of the foods701to704. The additional information may be a storage day of each food, for example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the additional information may include the expiration date, the country of origin, and the ingredients of the food, etc., as specified above. If the additional information701-1to704-1corresponding to each food701to704is displayed on a specific area of the display, the display apparatus100may adjust the transparency of the area on which the additional information701-1to704-1is displayed to be lower than the pre-set transparency. Accordingly, the user can more easily recognize the additional information701-1to704-1corresponding to each food701to704.

FIG. 11is an exemplary view illustrating a method of adjusting transparency of the display screen of the display apparatus according to an area according to an exemplary embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 11, the display apparatus100maintains pre-set transparency of the display screen. Accordingly, objects10and11located outside of the display apparatus100are visible (seen) through the display screen and thus matching objects10′ and11′ corresponding to the objects10and11, respectively, are displayed. The user may execute an application for providing augmented reality according to an exemplary embodiment. According to an execution command of such an application, the display apparatus100may display additional information10′-1and11′-1corresponding to the matching objects10′ and11′ on one side of each matching object10′ and11′ displayed on the display screen. For example, the additional information10′-1and11′-1may identify the buildings as they appear through the display apparatus100. If the additional information10′-1and11′-1corresponding to the matching objects10′ and11′ respectively are displayed on specific areas as described above, the display apparatus100may adjust transparency of the area on which the additional information10′-1and11′-1is displayed to be lower than the pre-set transparency. Accordingly, the user can easily recognize the additional information10′-1and11′-1corresponding to the matching objects10′ and11′.

FIG. 12is an exemplary view illustrating a method of adjusting transparency of the display screen of the display apparatus according to an area based on user information according to an exemplary embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 12, the display apparatus100may be a notice board or a billboard which is installed in a place where many users frequently pass e.g., a busy highway. If the display apparatus100is a billboard on a road, and a vehicle40does not approach the display apparatus100, the display apparatus100maintains pre-set transparency of the display screen. Accordingly, an object10located outside of the display apparatus100is visible (seen) through the display screen and thus a matching object10′ corresponding to the object10is displayed.

On the other hand, if the vehicle40approaches the display apparatus100, the display apparatus100senses a location of the vehicle40approaching and calculates a distance measurement value by measuring a distance between the vehicle40and the display apparatus100. After that, the display apparatus100compares the calculated distance measurement value and a pre-stored threshold value, and, if the calculated distance measurement value is less than or equal to the pre-stored threshold value, the display apparatus100determines that the vehicle40approaches the display apparatus100. The display apparatus100may communicate with an external apparatus attached to the vehicle40(for example, a navigation system) and may receive user information. Accordingly, if user information is received from the vehicle40approaching the display apparatus100, the display apparatus100may select a content20to be displayed in association with the user information from among a plurality of contents20and21based on the received user information. If the content20to be displayed in association with the user information is selected, the display apparatus100adjusts transparency of an area on which the corresponding content20is to be displayed to be lower than the pre-set transparency. As described above, in an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus100according to an exemplary embodiment may adjust the transparency of the area on which the content20associated with the user information is to be displayed and the transparency of the other area to have different transparency levels.

Exemplary operations of adjusting the transparency of the display screen differently according to events which occur in the display apparatus have been described in various exemplary embodiments. Hereinafter, a method of adjusting a transparency of the display screen based on events which occur in the display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment will be explained in detail.

FIG. 13is a flowchart illustrating a method of adjusting transparency of the display screen of the display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 13, the display apparatus senses a location of at least one of a person and an object or it senses a change in ambient temperature (in operation S1310). Accordingly, the display apparatus may sense the location of at least one of the person and the object using at least one of a proximity sensor, an IR sensor, an RF sensor, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and a touch sensor. The display apparatus senses the location of at least one of the person and the object located near the display apparatus using such a sensor, and calculates a distance measurement value by measuring a distance between the at least one of the person and the object and the display apparatus. After that, the display apparatus compares the calculated distance measurement value and a pre-stored threshold value, and, if the calculated distance measurement value is less than or equal to the pre-stored threshold value, the display apparatus determines that the at least one of the person and the object approaches the display apparatus.

However, this should not be considered as limiting and is provided by way of an example only. The display apparatus senses an ambient temperature of the display apparatus using a temperature sensor, and compares the sensed ambient temperature and a pre-stored threshold value. If the sensed ambient temperature is less than or equal to the pre-stored threshold value, the display apparatus may determine that at least one of the person and the object approaches the display apparatus.

In exemplary embodiments, transparency of the display screen is adjusted according to whether at least one of the person and the object approaches the display apparatus. Therefore, hereinafter, an operation of determining whether at least one of the person and the object approaches the display apparatus100according to a location of the at least one of the person and the object, and adjusting transparency of the display screen differently according to a result of the determining will be explained by way of an example. Exemplary structure of the display screen which can adjust the transparency has been described above with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

As described above, if the location of at least one of the person and the object is sensed by the display apparatus, the display apparatus may calculate a distance measurement value by measuring a distance between the display apparatus and the at least one of the person and the object according to the sensed location. After that, the display apparatus compares the calculated distance measurement value and a pre-stored threshold value and determines whether the at least one of the person and the object approaches the display screen of the display apparatus or not (in operation S1320). The pre-stored threshold value is a value based on which it is determined whether at least one of the person and the object approaches the display apparatus or not. Accordingly, if it is determined that the at least one of the person and the object approaches the display screen of the display apparatus as a result of comparing the calculated distance measurement value and the pre-stored threshold value, the display apparatus adjusts the transparency of the display screen to be lower than pre-set transparency (in operation S1330).

According to an exemplary embodiment, if the calculated distance measurement value is less than or equal to the pre-stored threshold value, the display apparatus determines that the at least one of the person and the object approaches the display apparatus. Accordingly, the display apparatus may decrease the transparency of the display screen to be lower than the pre-set transparency. On the other hand, if the calculated distance measurement value is greater than the pre-stored threshold value, it is determined that the at least one of the person and the object does not approach the display apparatus. Accordingly, the display apparatus may return the transparency of the display screen to the pre-set transparency. If the transparency of the display screen is decreased to be lower than the pre-set transparency, visibility of a content currently displayed on the display screen increases, and, if the pre-set transparency is restored, the transparency of the display screen increases and thus the visibility of the object located outside of the display apparatus and that are visible through the display apparatus increases.

As described above, the display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment may adjust the transparency of the display screen differently according to a proximity of at least one of the person and the object to the display apparatus.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus compares the calculated distance measurement value and the pre-stored threshold value, and, if the calculated distance measurement value is less than or equal to the pre-stored threshold value, the display apparatus may display a border area of the display screen in a different color.

For example, as shown inFIG. 6, if a user does not approach, the display apparatus maintains pre-set transparency of the display screen. In the state in which the pre-set transparency of the display screen is maintained, if the user's hand60is in contact with the display apparatus, the display apparatus displays the border area of the display screen in a pre-set color400. For example, it is determined that the user's hand60is in contact with the display apparatus100, the border area of the display screen is displayed in blue. The other area of the display screen maintains the pre-set transparency. However, this should not be considered as limiting and is provided by way of an example only. If the user's hand is in contact with the display apparatus100, the display apparatus100may display the border area of the display screen in the pre-set color400and may adjust the transparency of the other area of the display screen to be lower than the pre-set transparency as shown inFIG. 7by way of an example.

According to still another exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus may adjust the transparency of the display screen differently according to a result of comparing the calculated distance measurement value and the pre-stored threshold value. Specifically, if a distance measurement value between at least one of a person and an object and the display screen is calculated, the display apparatus may adjust the transparency of the display screen based on a transparency level corresponding to the calculated distance measurement value from among a plurality of transparency levels pre-stored.

For example, as shown inFIG. 8A, if a user does not approach, the display apparatus may maintain pre-set transparency of the display screen. If the user's finger30moves to point A as shown inFIG. 8B, the display apparatus calculates a distance measurement value by measuring a distance between the user's finger30at point A and the display apparatus. If the calculated distance measurement value is less than or equal to a pre-stored threshold value, the display apparatus determines a transparency level corresponding to the calculated distance measurement value from among the plurality of transparency levels pre-stored and adjusts the transparency of the display screen according to the corresponding transparency level. If the determined transparency level is an intermediate level, the matching object10′ and the plurality of the contents20displayed on the display screen have similar definition. On the other hand, if the user's finger30moves from point A to point B as shown inFIG. 8C, the display apparatus determines that the user's finger30further approaches and adjusts the transparency of the display screen to be lower than the transparency level determined inFIG. 8B. Accordingly, the plurality of contents20may have very high definition, whereas the matching object10′ may have the opposite level of definition to that of the plurality of contents20.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus compares the calculated distance measurement value and the pre-stored threshold value, and, if the calculated distance measurement value is less than or equal to the pre-stored threshold value, the display apparatus may change a screen displayed on the display screen to a pre-set screen. If the calculated distance measurement value is greater than the pre-stored threshold value, the display apparatus may change the pre-set screen displayed on the display screen to a transparent screen. As described above, the display apparatus according to exemplary embodiments may increase the transparency of the display screen so that the object located outside of the display apparatus can be visible (seen) through the display screen, or may change the current display screen into the pre-set transparency screen according to a proximity of at least one of the person and the object to the display screen.

According to still another exemplary embodiment, in a state in which the display screen provides a content execution screen which has transparency lower than a pre-set transparency, if the calculated distance measurement value is less than or equal to the pre-stored threshold value, the display apparatus may increase the transparency of the display screen providing the content execution screen to be the pre-set transparency.

For example, as shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B, the display apparatus may be mounted on the refrigerator700, and may display a pre-stored content or may receive a content transmitted from an external server and display the content on the display screen. As shown inFIG. 9B, if the user70approaches a place where the refrigerator700is located as shown inFIG. 9B, the display apparatus senses a location of the user70and calculates a distance measurement value by measuring a distance between the sensed location and the display apparatus. After that, the display apparatus compares the calculated distance measurement value and a pre-stored threshold value, and, if the calculated distance measurement value is less than or equal to the pre-stored threshold value, the display apparatus determines that the user700approaches the refrigerator700. Accordingly, the display apparatus adjusts transparency of the display screen currently displaying the content to be the pre-set transparency. Accordingly, the foods701to703stored in the refrigerator700can be visible (seen) through the display screen.

According to still another exemplary embodiment, the display screen may provide a content execution screen which has transparency higher than the pre-set transparency. In this case, the display apparatus compares the calculated distance measurement value and the pre-stored threshold value, and, if the calculated distance measurement value is less than or equal to the pre-stored threshold value, the display apparatus may decrease transparency of an area in which pre-set information is displayed out of an entire area of the display screen. According to such a control command, the object located outside of the display apparatus is visible (seen) through only a part of the entire area of the display screen and the pre-set information is displayed on the other area through which the object is not visible (seen).

For example, the display apparatus maintains pre-set transparency of the display screen as explained inFIG. 11. Accordingly, the objects10and11located outside of the display apparatus100are visible (seen) through the display screen and thus the matching objects10′ and11′ corresponding to the objects10and20, respectively, may be displayed. The display apparatus may execute an application for realizing augmented reality according to a user request. In this case, the display apparatus displays additional information10′-1and11′-1corresponding to the matching objects10′ and11′ on one side of each of the matching objects10′ and11′ displayed on the display screen. If the additional information10′-1and11′-1corresponding to each of the matching objects10′ and11′ is displayed on a specific area, the display apparatus may adjust transparency of the area on which the additional information10′-1and11′-1is displayed to be lower than the pre-set transparency.

According to still another exemplary embodiment, if the calculated distance measurement value is less than or equal to the pre-stored threshold value, the display apparatus may decrease transparency of an area on which a content associated with user information is displayed to be lower than the pre-set transparency based on the user information received from an external apparatus.

For example, if the display apparatus100is a billboard on a road, as shown inFIG. 12, the display apparatus maintains the pre-set transparency of the display screen. If a vehicle40approaches the display apparatus, the display apparatus measures a distance between the vehicle and the display apparatus by sensing a location of the vehicle approaching, and calculates a corresponding distance measurement value. After that, the display apparatus determines whether the vehicle40approaches the display apparatus by comparing the calculated distance measurement value and a pre-stored threshold value. The display apparatus may receive user information by communicating with an external apparatus (for example, a navigation system) attached to the vehicle40. Accordingly, the display apparatus may adjusts transparency of an area on which a content20associated with the user information is to be displayed from among a plurality of contents20and21displayed on the display screen to be lower than the pre-set transparency based on the received user information. As described above, the display apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment may adjust the transparency of the area on which the content20associated with the user information is to be displayed and the transparency of the other area of the display screen to have different transparency levels.

The various exemplary methods according to the above-described various exemplary embodiments may be programmed and stored in various storing media. Accordingly, the exemplary methods according to the above-described various exemplary embodiments may be realized in various types of electronic apparatuses which execute a storage medium.

Specifically, according to an exemplary embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program, which performs sensing at least one of a person and an object, determining proximity of a display screen based on a result of the sensing, and adjusting transparency of the display screen differently according to a result of the determining in sequence, may be provided.

The non-transitory computer readable medium refers to a medium that stores data semi-permanently rather than storing data for a very short time, such as a register, a cache, and a memory, and is readable by an apparatus. Specifically, the above-described various applications or programs may be stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium such as a CD, a DVD, a hard disk, a Blueray disk, a USB, a memory card, and a ROM, and may be provided.

The foregoing exemplary embodiments are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present inventive concept. The exemplary embodiments can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is understood that all possible changes and/or modifications in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of an inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. The scope is defined not by the detailed description of exemplary embodiments but by the appended claims, and their equivalents and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in an inventive concept.