Abstract:
A multimedia presentation system includes: a display unit ( 120 ) for displaying multimedia information and an On Screen Display (OSD) menu; a control unit ( 110 ) including the multifunctional button for receiving a user operation, generating a control signal corresponding to the operation, and transmitting the control signal; and a processing unit for receiving the control signal, and performing corresponding one or more operations for the display unit according to the control signal. The operations include turning on or turning off the display unit, entering the OSD menu, and confirming one or more operations on the OSD menu. A related method implementing the system is also disclosed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to multimedia presentation systems and methods, and particularly to a multimedia presentation system with a multifunctional button, and a related multimedia presentation method. 
   2. Background of the invention 
   The development of multimedia technology has brought consumers multimedia presentation systems such as television (TV) viewing systems (e.g., cable TV, digital TV) and computers with monitors. These systems provide a plurality of functions for a user to control various parameters of the systems. Generally, a user is provided with a control unit which has many buttons. Each button corresponds to a single function, and can only control one particular parameter. The more functions provided by the multimedia presentation system, the more the number of buttons needed on the control unit. 
   A large number of buttons may detract from the aesthetic appearance of the control unit, and can be inconvenient for user operation. In addition, the large number of buttons adds to production costs. 
   Accordingly, what is need is a system and method which can achieve many functions via one single button. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A main objective of the present invention is to provide a multimedia presentation system, in which a multifunctional button can perform functions such as turning on/off a display unit, entering an On Screen Display (OSD) menu, and confirming operations on the OSD menu. 
   Another objective of the present invention is to provide a multimedia presentation method using a multifunctional button, in which the button can perform functions such as turning on/off the display unit, entering an OSD menu, and confirming operations on the OSD menu. 
   To accomplish the first of the above objectives, the present invention provides a multimedia presentation system. The system comprises a display unit for displaying multimedia information and an OSD menu; a control unit comprising a multifunctional button for receiving a user operation, generating a control signal corresponding to the operation, and transmitting the control signal; and a processing unit for receiving the control signal, and performing corresponding one or more operations for the display unit according to the control signal. The operations comprise turning on or turning off the display unit, entering the OSD menu, and confirming one or more operations on the OSD menu. 
   To achieve the second of the above objectives, the present invention provides a preferred multimedia presentation method. The method comprises the steps of: (a) turning on the display unit if the display unit is powered on and a multifunctional button is pressed; (b) turning off the display unit if a duration of a second pressing of the multifunctional button has reached a predetermined threshold duration; (c) measuring the duration of the second pressing of the multifunctional button; (d) displaying an OSD menu on the display unit if the multifunctional button is released prior to expiration of threshold duration; (e) displaying different prompt on the display unit according to the duration of second pressing of the multifunctional button; and (f) confirming one or more operations on the OSD menu through the multifunctional button, after the OSD menu is displayed on the display unit. 
   Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be drawn from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment and the preferred method of the present invention with the attached drawings, in which: 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of hardware configuration of a multimedia presentation system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram showing various statuses of a TV set when a user operates a multifunctional button of the system of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart of the preferred method for implementing the system of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A multifunctional button may be implemented in various multimedia presentation systems, such as a television (TV) set or a computer. Each multimedia presentation system generally comprises a display unit, a control unit, and a processing unit. 
     FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of hardware configuration of a multimedia presentation system  100  (hereinafter, “the system”) in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The system  100  includes a TV set  120 , a set-top box  130 , and a remote controller  110 . The TV set  120  displays not only multimedia information but also OSD menus if necessary. The set-top box  130  is coupled to the TV set  120 , and includes a processor  1300  and a memory  1301 . The memory  1301  stores configuration parameters and application programs for implementing the system  100 . The remote controller  110  includes the multifunctional button  1100  and other functional buttons (not shown), for generating and sending infrared signals to the set-top box  130  so as to control the TV set  120 . The multifunctional button  110  is for implementing various functions, such as turning on/off the TV set  120 , entering an OSD menu, and confirming operations on the OSD menu. The various functions are implemented according to durations of time periods that a user presses the multifunctional button  1100 . The set-top box  130  is also connected with a network (not shown) via a connection means  140 , which provides programs for the TV set  120 . The connection means  140  may be an analog cable, a digital cable, an optical fiber, a digital subscriber line (DSL), an antenna, a wireless cable, or a local multi-channel distribution system (LMDS). 
     FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram showing various statuses of the TV set  120  when the user operates the multifunctional button  1100 , wherein “P” represents pressing the multifunctional button  110 , “R” represents releasing the multifunctional button  110 , “P, R” represents pressing the multifunctional button  110  and releasing the multifunctional button  110 , and “E” represents exiting the OSD menu. Once the system  100  connects with a power source (not shown in  FIG. 1 ), the processor  1300  in the set-top box  130  automatically initializes the configuration parameters stored in the memory  1301 , in order to activate the TV set  120 . Thereupon, the TV set  120  enters a standby status (S 1 ). In the standby status, the TV set  120  does not show programs, and only can receive a “turn on” control signal from the set-top box  130 . When the TV set  120  receives the “turn on” control signal from the set-top box  130 , this means that the multifunctional button  1100  has been pressed to generate the “turn on” control signal. The TV set  120  is switched to a “turned on” status (S 2 ), and starts to show programs (S 3 ). In the “turned on” status, the TV set  120  may be switched to a series of “turn off prompt” statuses, depending upon the duration of a time period that the user again presses the multifunctional button  1100 . 
   When the duration of pressing of the multifunctional button  1100  is less than or equal to 0.4 seconds, the TV set  120  is switched to a first “turn off prompt” status (S 4 ), and displays an “OFF” message to indicate that the TV set  120  has entered a first “turn off” phase. When the duration of pressing of the multifunctional button  1100  is between 0.4 and 1.1 seconds, the TV set  120  is switched to a second “turn off prompt” status (S 5 ), and displays a “2” message to indicate that the TV set  120  has entered a second “turn off” phase. When the duration of pressing of the multifunctional button  1100  is between 1.1 and 1.8 seconds, the TV set  120  is switched to a third “turn off prompt” status (S 6 ), and displays a “1” message to indicate that the TV set  120  has entered a third “turn off” phase. When the duration of pressing of the multifunctional button  1100  is between 1.8 and 2.0 seconds, the TV set  120  is switched to a fourth “turn off prompt” status (S 7 ), and displays a “0” message to indicate that the TV set  120  has entered a fourth “turn off” phase. When the duration of pressing of the multifunctional button  1100  reaches 2.0 seconds or more, the TV set  120  is switched to the standby status (S 1 ), and stops showing programs. 
   Further, during any of the series of “turn off” phases, once the multifunctional button  1100  is released, the TV set  120  is switched to an “OSD menu” status (S 8 ). In the “OSD menu” status, the TV set  120  displays an OSD menu including various function control targets (e.g., volume, contrast, and brightness) for the user to adjust. In this status, the multifunctional button  1100  is used for confirming operations on selected function control targets of the OSD menu. After the user has confirmed operations on selected function control targets, the user can select to exit and close the OSD menu. Otherwise, if the user does not select to exit and close the OSD menu, the OSD menu is automatically closed. Further, if the user does not confirm operations on selected function control targets, the OSD menu is automatically closed. When the OSD menu is closed, the TV set  120  is automatically switched to the “show programs” status (S 3 ) and continues to show programs. 
     FIG. 3  is a flowchart of the preferred method for implementing the system  100 . In step S 300 , when the multimedia presentation system  100  is connected to a power source, the processor  1300  in the set-top box  130  automatically initializes configuration parameters of the TV set  120 , and the TV set  120  enters a “standby” status. In step S 301 , the processor  1300  turns on the power source of the TV set  120 , according to a “turn on” control signal received from the multifunctional button  1100 , and the TV set  120  enters a “turned on” status and starts to show programs. In step S 302 , the processor  1300  periodically determines whether a user has pressed the multifunctional button  1100  again. If and when the processor  1300  determines that the user has pressed the multifunctional button  1100 , in step S 303 , the processor  1300  begins to measure a duration of pressing of the multifunctional button  1100 . Then in step S 304 , the TV set  120  enters a first “turn off prompt” status and displays an “OFF” message. In step S 305 , the processor  1300  determines whether the user has released the multifunctional button  1100 . If the user has not released the multifunctional button  1100 , the procedure goes to step S 309  described below. In contrast, if the user has released the multifunctional button  1100 , in step S 306 , the TV set  120  enter an “OSD menu” status and displays an OSD menu. Then in step S 307 , the processor  1300  determines whether the user has selected any function control targets of the OS 1  menu to adjust. If the user has selected a function control target of the OSD menu, in step S 308 , the processor  1300  confirms operations on the selected function control target through the multifunctional button  1100 , whereupon the procedure returns to step S 302  described above. In contrast, if the user has not selected any function control targets to adjust, the procedure directly returns to step S 302  described above. 
   In step S 309 , the processor  1300  determines whether the duration of pressing of the multifunctional button  1100  is greater than 0.4 seconds. If the duration is less than or equal to 0.4 seconds, the procedure returns to step S 304  described above. Otherwise, if the duration is greater than 0.4 seconds, in step S 310 , the TV set  120  enters a second “turn off prompt” status and displays a “2” message. Then in step S 311 , the processor  1300  determines whether the user has released the multifunctional button  1100 . If the user has released the multifunctional button  1100 , the procedure goes to step S 306  described above. Otherwise, if the user has not released the multifunctional button  1100 , the procedure goes to step S 312  described below. 
   In step S 312 , the processor  1300  determines whether the duration of pressing of the multifunctional button  1100  is greater than 1.1 seconds. If the duration is less than or equal to 1.1 seconds, the procedure returns to step S 310  described above. In contrast, if the duration is greater than 1.1 seconds, in step S 313 , the TV set  120  enters a third “turn off prompt” status and displays a “1” message. Then in step S 314 , the processor  1300  determines whether the user has released the multifunctional button  1100 . If the user has released the multifunctional button  1100 , the procedure goes to step S 306  described above. Otherwise, if the user has not released the multifunctional button  1100 , the procedure goes to step S 315  described below. 
   In step S 315 , the processor  1300  determines whether the duration of pressing of the multifunctional button  1100  is greater than 1.8 seconds. If the duration is less than or equal to 1.8 seconds, the procedure goes to step S 313  described above. In contrast, if the duration is greater than 1.8 seconds, in step S 316 , the TV set  120  enters a fourth “turn off prompt” status and displays a “0” message. Then in step S 317 , the processor  1300  determines whether the user has released the multifunctional button  1100 . If the user has released the multifunctional button  1100 , the procedure goes to step S 306  described above. Otherwise, if the user has not released the multifunctional button  1100 , in step S 318 , the processor  1300  determines whether the duration of pressing of the multifunctional button  1100  has reached 2.0 seconds. If the duration has not reached 2.0 seconds, the procedure returns to step S 316 . In contrast, if the duration has reached 2.0 seconds, in step S 319 , the processor  1300  turns off the TV set  120 , whereupon the procedure is ended. 
   Although the present invention has been specifically described on the basis of a preferred embodiment and preferred method, the invention is not to be construed as being limited thereto. Various changes or modifications may be made to said embodiment and method without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.