Patent Publication Number: US-2010109973-A1

Title: Method and apparatus for determining priority

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0110003, filed Nov. 6, 2008, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Methods and apparatuses consistent with the present invention relates to determining priority among a plurality of remote display devices that perform predetermined functions in conjunction with an image processing apparatus. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Recently, terminals that control functions of a television (TV) or a peripheral device of the TV and provide various services via a wireless network are widely used. The main functions of the terminals are to remotely control an audio/video (A/V) home appliance, such as a TV or set-top box, to receive an image signal from the A/V home appliance, and to view a TV program. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for determining priority of a plurality of remote display devices and a computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the method. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of determining priority among a plurality of remote display devices, the method including: detecting a remote display device, among the plurality of remote display devices, that is within a predetermined recognition range; assigning priority to the detected remote display device; and allocating a predetermined function to the detected remote display device according to the priority. 
     The assigning priority to the detected remote display device may include, when a power-on signal is received from the remote display device, giving highest priority to the remote display device transmitting the power-on signal. 
     The allocating a predetermined function may include allocating a function by which all services of the remote display device are used to the remote display device having the highest priority. 
     The method may further include selectively allocating a function by which predetermined services of services excluding the service used only by the remote display device having the highest priority is provided to other remote display devices having lower priorities. 
     The method may further include giving priority to the other remote display devices having lower priorities according to a sequence in which the other remote display devices are detected. 
     The method may further include: receiving a priority request signal with respect to high priority from at least one remote display device having lower priority; and transmitting the priority request signal to the remote display device having higher priority. 
     The method may further include: receiving an approval signal with respect to the priority request signal from the remote display device having the higher priority; and allocating a function of the remote display device having the higher priority to the remote display device which transmits the priority request signal. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer readable recording medium having embodied thereon a computer program for executing the method of determining priority among a plurality of remote display devices, the method including: detecting a remote display device, among the plurality of remote display devices, that is within a predetermined recognition range; assigning priority to the detected remote display device; and allocating a predetermined function to the detected remote display device according to the priority. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus that communicates with a plurality of remote display devices, the apparatus including: a detection unit that detects a remote display device that is within a predetermined recognition range from among the plurality of remote display devices; and a control unit that assigns priority to the detected remote display device and adjusts a predetermined function to be allocated to the detected remote display device according to the priority. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and/or other aspects of the present invention will become more apparent by describing certain exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus and a plurality of remote display devices according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a more detailed diagram of the remote display devices illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a method of determining priority among a plurality of remote display devices, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of allocating a function of a remote display device having a higher priority to a remote display device having a lower priority, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     In the following description, like drawing reference numerals are used for like elements, even in different drawings. The matters defined in the description, such as detailed construction and elements, are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention. However, the present invention can be practiced without those specifically defined matters. Also, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention with unnecessary detail. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus  110  and a plurality of remote devices, i.e., first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Although three (first through third) remote display devices are shown in  FIG. 1  by way of example, the number of remote display devices is not limited thereto. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the image processing apparatus  110  according to the current exemplary embodiment includes a communication unit  112 , a detection unit  114 , and a control unit  116 . The first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  according to the current exemplary embodiment respectively include a communication units unit  122 ,  132 , and  142 , a display units  124 ,  134 , and  144 , and a control units  126 ,  136 , and  146 . 
     The first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  may receive image signals and various information from the image processing apparatus  110  or the Internet and provide services that may be used by users, e.g., an electronic program guide (EPG), watching TV programs, Internet browsing, reproducing A/V contents, widgets, external input reproduction, games, etc. 
     The image processing apparatus  110  may be a TV or a peripheral device that communicates with a TV in a wired or wireless manner. For example, the image processing apparatus  110  may be a set-top box. A set-top box amplifies an image signal received from an antenna or a cable, and/or eliminates noise generated in the antenna or cable to transmit the image signal to the TV. A set-top box and a TV may be connected as a pair. 
     The communication unit  112  may transmit or receive an image signal or other control signals to or from at least one of the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140 . In the current exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit  112  may communicate with the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  via a wireless network, but the present invention is not limited to the current exemplary embodiment. 
     The detection unit  114  detects the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  if the first, second and third display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  are within a predetermined recognition range when the image processing apparatus  100  is turned on. The detection unit  114  may detect any of the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  when they are turned on. In addition, the detection unit  114  may detect the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  periodically after the image processing apparatus  110  is turned on. 
     When the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  are detected, the control unit  116  assigns a priority to the first, second, and third display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140 . Priority refers to the priority to be given according to remote control or other service performed by the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  in combination with the image processing apparatus  110 . If any one of the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  detected has a high priority, numerous services made available to such device, and if any one thereof has a low priority, available services are made limited. Accordingly, the control unit  116  of the image processing apparatus  110  adjusts functions of the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  according to the priority thereof. 
     For example, the highest priority is given to one of the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  which outputs a remote control signal used to turn on the image processing apparatus  110 . The highest priority is given access to all functions including a remote control function or services of the image processing apparatus  110 . The control unit  116  allocates functions of available services exclusive of the services used only by one of the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  having the highest priority, to the remaining two of the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  having the lower priority. In the current exemplary embodiment, in order to prevent conflict of control of the image processing apparatus  110  among the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140 , a remote control function is allocated to only one the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140 . More specifically, a remote control function may be allocated to one of the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140 , to which the highest priority is given. Distributing of functions according to the priority may be set by a user of the image processing apparatus  110  or one of the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140 . 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram for explaining functions of the remote display devices illustrated in  FIG. 1 , according to the priority. Referring to  FIG. 2 , a first remote display device  210  is given the highest priority or a first priority. A second remote display device  220  is given the next highest priority or a second priority. A third remote display device  230  is given the lowest priority or a third priority. Blocks corresponding to reference numerals  201 ,  202 , and  203  denote functions that may be performed by the first, second, and third remote display devices  210 ,  220 , and  230 , respectively. 
     The first remote display device  210 , having the highest priority, may use any of the functions of the first, second, and third remote display devices  210 ,  220 , and  230  in combination with the image processing apparatus  110 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , a remote control function  240  controls the image processing apparatus  110  from a remote place. An electronic program guide (EPG)  242  displays a table of TV broadcasting programs or detailed information about the table on a screen. A web browsing function  244  browses the Internet. A widget function  246  allows a user to interact with a graphic user interface element. A second TV function  250  views a TV broadcasting of a channel other than that of a channel displayed on the image processing apparatus  110  by using a remote display device. An external input reproduction function  252  reproduces an output of an external device input to the image processing apparatus  110 . A personal video recorder (PVR) function  254  allows a digital recording device to reproduce information recorded on a hard disk. The first remote display device  210 , having the highest priority, may use all of the functions listed. Functions, exclusive of the services used only by the first remote display device  210  having the highest priority, are allocated to the second and third remote display devices  220  and  230  having the lower priority. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the second remote display device  220  may use the second TV function  250 , the web browsing function  244 , the widget function  246 , the external input reproduction function  252 , and the EPG function  242 . The third remote display device  230 , having the lowest priority, may use the web browsing function  244 , the widget function  246 , the external input reproduction function  252 , and the EPG function  242 . However, the present invention is not limited to the current exemplary embodiment. 
     Generally, the second TV and the PVR functions  250 ,  254  may be used by a plurality of users only when supported by hardware having specialized services. In addition, services that can be used simultaneously by a plurality of users may be the external input reproduction function  252 , the web browsing function  242 , the widget function  246 , and the EPG function  242 . The external input reproduction, the web browser, the widget, and the EPG functions may be allocated to the second remote display device  220  or the third remote display device  230 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when a priority request signal requesting a higher priority is received from a remote display device having a lower priority, for example, the third remote display device  230 , the control unit  116  transmits the priority request signal to the remote display devices having a higher priority than the third remote display device  230 , for example, the first remote display device  210  or the second remote display device  220 . In this case, a user of the remote display device having the higher priority may approve the request. When receiving an approval signal with respect to the priority request signal from the remote display device having the higher priority, the control unit  116  may allocate functions of the remote display devices having the higher priority to the remote display device which transmits the priority request signal. 
     The first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  refer to terminals that control the function of the image processing apparatus  110 , such as, a digital TV, and are provided with various services via a wireless network. The first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  may perform functions such as the remote control, the EPG, the web browsing, the widget, the second TV, the external input reproduction, and the PVR functions. In particular, the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  include display units  124 ,  134 , and  144 , respectively. Thus, the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  may receive an image signal from the image processing device  110 , a peripheral device of the image processing device  110 , or via the Internet, and may view an image corresponding to the image signal received by using the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140 . The communication units  122 ,  132 , and  142  transmit and receive each signal to and from the image processing device  110  via the Internet. The control units  126 ,  136  and  146  control all functions of the first, second, and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140 . The first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  may be used in a mobile device that controls a device for reproducing images and the image processing apparatus  110 . 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a method of determining the priority among a plurality of remote display devices, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 3 , in operation  310 , the image processing apparatus  110  is turned on by using the first remote display device  120 . In operation  320 , the image processing apparatus  110  detects at least one of the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140 , if the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  is within a predetermined recognition range. 
     When the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  are detected in operation  330 , priority is given to each of the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140 . Priority refers to a priority to be given according to remote control or services performed by the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  in combination with the image processing apparatus  110 . If any one of the detected first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140  has a high priority, more diverse services are made available. If the detected first, second, and third remote display device  120 ,  130 , and  140  has a low priority, limited services are made available. In operation  340 , the image processing apparatus  110  gives the highest priority to the first remote display device  120  which transmits a power-on signal. In this case, the image processing apparatus  110  allocates a predetermined function, according to the highest priority to the first remote display device  120 . The image processing apparatus  110  allocates a function by which all services, including remote control of the image processing apparatus  110 , may be used by the first remote display device, having the highest priority. 
     Subsequently, in operation  350 , the image processing apparatus  110  assigns lower priority levels to the second and third remote display devices  130  and  140 . In this case, the image processing apparatus  110  allocates available services by using the remaining resources, exclusive of the services used only by the first remote display device  120  having the highest priority. A function that is not used only by the first remote display device  120  having the highest priority may be allocated to the second and third remote display devices  130  and  140  having the lower priority. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in order to prevent conflict of remote control function of the image processing apparatus  110  due to the existence of the plurality of first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140 , a remote control function may be allocated to only one of the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140 . Distribution of functions according to the priority may be set by a user of the image processing apparatus  110  or one of the first, second and third remote display devices  120 ,  130 , and  140 . 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of allocating a function of remote display devices having a higher priority to a remote display device having a lower priority, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 4 , in operation  410 , a higher priority request signal to request the higher priority is transmitted by the remote display device having the lower priority. For example, the second remote display device  130  requests a higher priority. In operation  420 , the higher priority request signal is transmitted to a remote display device having the assigned higher priority. For example, the first remote display device  120  has the assigned higher priority. In this case, a user of the first remote display device  120  having the higher priority may approve the request. In operation  430 , an approval signal with respect to the higher priority request signal is received by the second remote display device  130  having the lower priority. A function of the remote display device having the higher priority is allocated to the second remote display device  130 . 
     In addition, exemplary embodiments may be implemented through computer readable code/instructions recorded in/on a recording medium, e.g., a computer-readable medium, to control at least one processing element to implement any exemplary embodiment. The recording medium may correspond to any medium/media permitting the storage and/or transmission of the computer readable code. 
     The computer-readable code can be recorded/transferred on a medium in a variety of ways, with examples of the medium including recording media, such as magnetic storage media (e.g., ROM, floppy disks, hard disks, etc.) and optical recording media (e.g., CD-ROMs, or DVDs). Thus, the medium may be such a defined and measurable structure including or carrying information, such as a device carrying a bitstream according to one or more exemplary embodiments. 
     While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The exemplary embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined not by the detailed description of the invention but by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.