Patent Publication Number: US-11665388-B2

Title: Display apparatus, method for executing application thereof, external device remotely controlling the display apparatus, and method for providing application control screen thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/882,135 filed on May 22, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/240,251 filed on Jan. 4, 2019 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,681,406), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/584,285 filed on Aug. 13, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,194,191), which claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0085306, filed on Aug. 25, 2011 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     Methods and apparatuses consistent with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a display apparatus, a method for executing an application thereof, an external device remotely controlling the display apparatus, and a method for providing an application control screen thereof, and more particularly to a display apparatus which can be remotely controlled through an external device provided with a display screen, a method for executing an application thereof, an external device, and a method for providing an application control screen thereof. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In the related art, a remote controller provided with numeral keys, channel/volume adjustment keys, and direction keys has been used to control a display apparatus. However, due to limited key configurations of the remote controller in the related art, there is a limit in operating diverse complicated applications using the remote controller. In addition, it is required for application providers to develop applications so that such applications can be operated with the limited key configurations of the remote controller. 
     Further, users must install and access separate application stores in order to download applications to be executed in the display apparatuses, and this causes inconvenience in use. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for schemes for providing an application dedicated operating method that is optimized according to diverse applications and downloading the applications without accessing application stores. 
     SUMMARY 
     One or more exemplary embodiments provide a display apparatus and a method for executing an application thereof, which transmit a generation signal for generating an application control screen to an external device if an execution command for an application is input, and operate the application according to a user command if the user command is input from the external device through the application control screen. 
     One or more exemplary embodiments also provide an external device and a method for providing an application control screen thereof, which display an application control screen that corresponds to an application if a generation signal for generating the application control screen is received from a display device. 
     According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method for executing an application of a display apparatus including: displaying an application execution screen and executing an application in response to an application execution input; transmitting, to an external device that remotely controls the display apparatus, a generation signal that instructs the external device to generate an application control screen for controlling of the application; receiving a application control input through the application control screen of the external device; and operating the application according to the received application control input. 
     The method may further include receiving the application and application control screen data that corresponds to the application from an external server; and transmitting the application control screen data to the external device, wherein the generation signal instructs the external device to generate the application control screen using the application control screen data transmitted to the external device. 
     The generation signal may include application control screen data that corresponds to the application and a command that instructs the external device to generate the application control screen. 
     Further, the generation signal may be a signal configured according to parameters of the application and instructs the external apparatus to display the application control screen in a form of a user interface window that includes at least one of a region for receiving an application dedicated control command or an image. 
     The application control screen may include an advertisement region in which an advertisement message for a specified application is displayed. 
     The method may further include transmitting data for generating the advertisement message to the external device in response to receiving the data for generating the advertisement message from an external server. 
     The method may further include downloading the specified application that corresponds to the advertisement region from an external server in response to receiving a selection input of the advertisement region on the external device; and installing the specified application. 
     The specified application may be one of a newly uploaded application, an application recommended by a service provider, an application for a category designated by a user, and an application related to a currently executed application on the display apparatus 
     According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there is provided a display apparatus including: a display that displays an application execution screen, the application execution screen displaying an application; a communication unit that communicates with an external server and an external device that remotely controls the display apparatus; and a control unit that transmits to the external device a generation signal that instructs the external device to generate an application control screen in response to an application execution input, controls the communication unit to receive a application control input from the external device input through the application control screen, and operates the application according to the received application control input. 
     The control unit may control the communication unit to receive the application and application control screen data that corresponds to the application from an external server and to transmit the application control screen data to the external device, and the generation signal instructs the external device to generate the application control screen using the application control screen data transmitted to the external device. 
     The generation signal may include application control screen data that corresponds to the application and a command that instructs the external device to generate the application control screen. 
     Further, the generation signal may be a signal configured according to parameters of the application and instructs the external apparatus to display the application control screen in a form of a user interface window that includes at least one of a region for receiving an application dedicated control command or an image. 
     The application control screen may include an advertisement region in which an advertisement message for a specified application is displayed. 
     The control unit may transmit data for generating the advertisement message to the external device in response to receiving the data for generating the advertisement message from an external server. 
     The control unit may control the communication unit to download the specified application that corresponds to the advertisement region from an external server in response to receiving a selection input of the advertisement region on the external device, and install the specified application. 
     The specified application may be one of a newly uploaded application, an application recommended by a service provider, an application for a category designated by a user, and an application related to a currently executed application on the display apparatus. 
     According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method for providing an application control screen of an external device that remotely controls a display apparatus including: receiving from the display apparatus a generation signal that instructs the external device to generate an application control screen for controlling of the application; displaying the application control screen of the application in response to receiving the generation signal; and transmitting to the display apparatus a application control input in response to receiving a application control input through the application control screen. 
     The application control screen is received from the display apparatus or is pre-stored during manufacturing of the display apparatus. 
     The method for providing an application control screen of an external device according to the aspect of the present disclosure may further include displaying an advertisement message for a specified application on a first region of a display screen in response to receiving the advertisement message for the specified application from the display apparatus. 
     The advertisement message that is displayed on the first region of the display screen may include information of the specified application. 
     The method may further include generating a graphic user interface (GUI) for downloading the specified application in response to receiving a selection input of the first region of the display screen. 
     The method may further include transmitting a download command signal for the specified application to the display apparatus in response to receiving the download command for the specified application input through the GUI. 
     According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there is provided an external device that remotely controls a display apparatus including: a communication unit that communicates with the display apparatus; a display unit; and a control unit that controls the display unit to display an application control screen of an application in response to receiving from the display apparatus a generation signal that instructs the external device to generate the application control screen for controlling of the application, and controls the communication unit to transmit an application control input to the display apparatus in response to receiving the application control input through the application control screen. 
     The application control screen is received from the display apparatus or is pre-stored during manufacturing of the display apparatus. 
     The control unit may control the display unit to display an advertisement message for a specified application on a first region of a display screen in response to receiving the advertisement message for the specified application from the display apparatus through the communication unit. 
     The advertisement message that is displayed on the first region of the display screen may include information of the specified application. 
     The external device according to the aspect of the present disclosure may further include a GUI generation unit, wherein the control unit controls the GUI generation unit and the display unit to generate and display a GUI for downloading the specified application in response to receiving a selection input of the first region of the display screen. 
     The control unit may control the communication unit to transmit a download command signal for the specified application to the display apparatus in response to receiving the download command for the specified application input through the GUI. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects will be more apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a diagram illustrating an application providing system according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG.  3    is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an external device according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIGS.  4 A to  4 C  are diagrams illustrating an application dedicated operation screen according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  are diagrams illustrating a display screen for advertising and downloading a specified application according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG.  6    is a flowchart illustrating a method for executing an application of a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG.  7    is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing an application control screen of an external device according to an exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG.  8    is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing an application of an application providing system according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG.  1    is a diagram illustrating an application providing system according to an exemplary embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , an application providing system  10  includes a server  100 , a display apparatus  200 , and an external device  300  that remotely controls the display apparatus. 
     The server  100  provides diverse applications through service providers. Specifically, if an application download request is received from an electronic apparatus, such as the external display apparatus  200 , the server  100  provides an application to the external display apparatus  200 . 
     In this case, the server  100  may receive application data and application control screen data, which is designed to have the corresponding application dedicated configuration and includes an application dedicated control command or an image. 
     The display apparatus  200  performs a general display apparatus function of receiving and displaying an image that is transmitted from a broadcasting station or an external source device. In addition, the display apparatus  200  may download and execute diverse application data and application control screen data corresponding to the application, which are transmitted from the external server  100 . 
     In this case, if an application execution command is input to the display apparatus  200 , the display apparatus  200  displays an application execution screen, and transmits a generation signal for generating an application control screen that corresponds to the executed application to the external device  300 . In particular, if the application control screen data is previously transmitted to the external device  300 , the generation signal may include a command for generating the application control screen using the application control screen data transmitted to the external device  300 . However, if the application control screen data is not previously transmitted to the external device  300 , the generation signal may include the application control screen data that corresponds to the application and a command for generating the application control screen. 
     Further, if a user command is input from the external device  300  using the application control screen, the display apparatus  100  receives the user command from the external device  300 , and operates the application according to the received user command. 
     Further, if an advertisement message for a specified application is transmitted from the external server  100 , the display apparatus  200  transmits the advertisement message for the specified application to the external device  300 . 
     Further, if a download command signal for the specified application is input from the external device  300 , the display apparatus  200  transmits a download request signal for the specified application to the external server  100 . Then, the display apparatus  200  may download the specified application from the external server  100 . 
     In this case, the specified application may be a newly uploaded application, an application recommended by a service provider, an application for a category designated by a user, or an application related to a currently executed application on the display apparatus. 
     The external device  300  is a device for remotely controlling the display apparatus  200 . In particular, the external device  300  may be provided with a display unit that can display the application control screen that corresponds to the application transmitted from the display device  100 . In this case, the external device  300  may be a portable device such as a tablet PC, a smart phone, or the like. 
     If an application control screen generation signal that corresponds to the application is received from the display apparatus  200 , the external device  300  displays the application control screen. Further, if the user command is input through the application control screen, the external device  300  transmits the user command to the display apparatus  200 . 
     Further, if the advertisement message for the specified application is received from the display apparatus  200 , the external device  300  displays the advertisement message on a first region of the display screen. 
     Further, if a user selects the first region on which the advertisement message is displayed, the external device  300  generates a GUI menu for asking whether to download the specified application that corresponds to the advertisement message. If the download command for the specified application is received through the GUI menu, the external device  300  transmits the download command signal for the specified application to the display apparatus  200 . 
     As described above, the application dedicated operation screens that are optimized for diverse application can be provided to the user through the application providing system  10 , and the applications can be downloaded without installing and entering into application stores. 
     Hereinafter, with reference to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the display apparatus  200  and the external device  300  that controls the display apparatus  200  will be described in more detail. 
       FIG.  2    is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the display apparatus  200  according to an exemplary embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the display apparatus  200  includes an image input unit  210 , an image processing unit  220 , a display unit  230 , a communication unit  240 , a storage unit  250 , and a control unit  260 . The term “unit” as used herein means a hardware component, such as a processor or circuit, and/or a software component that is executed by a hardware component such as a processor. 
     The image input unit  210  receives image data from a broadcasting station or a source device (for example, a DVD player, a set top box, or the like) by wire or wirelessly. 
     The image processing unit  220  performs signal processing with respect to image data received through the image input unit  210 . Specifically, the image processing unit  220  performs signal processing tasks, such as decoding, scaling, and the like, with respect to the image data, to display the image data. 
     The display unit  230  receives the image signal processed through the image processing unit  220  and outputs the received image signal. 
     The communication unit  240  performs communication with the external server  100  and the external device  300  that serves as a remote controller. In this case, the communication unit  240  may perform the communication with the external server  100  through a network, such as the Internet, and may perform the communication with the external device  300  through a Bluetooth module, an infrared (IR) module, or a radio frequency (RF) module. 
     The storage unit  250  stores various kinds of data for controlling the display apparatus  200 . The storage unit  250  also stores plural applications that are received from the external server  100  through the communication unit  240 . 
     The control unit  260  controls the whole operation of the display apparatus  200  according to a user command and the data stored in the storage unit  250 . In particular, the control unit  260  may control the display apparatus  200  so that the external device  300  for controlling the display apparatus  200  can execute the application control screen that corresponds to the application. 
     Specifically, if the application data and the application control screen data that corresponds to the application are received through the communication unit  260 , the control unit  260  installs the received application, and transmits to the external device  300  the application control screen data that corresponds to the application. However, this is merely exemplary, and if the application execution command is input, the application control screen data that corresponds to the application may be transmitted to the external device  300  together with an application control screen generation command. 
     Further, if the application execution command is input, the control unit  260  controls the display unit  230  to display the application execution screen, and transmits an application control screen generation signal to the external device  300  to display the application control screen that corresponds to the executed application. 
     In this case, the application control screen generation signal may include meta data (for example, a title, a producer, the date of production, a version, and the like) for the executed application and a command for executing the application operation command that corresponds to the application. Further, if the application control screen data that corresponds to the application is not previously transmitted, the generation signal may include the application control screen data. 
     Further, the application control screen that is generated by the application control screen generation signal may be designed to have the application dedicated configuration, and may include an application dedicated control command that suits the application characteristics. For example, if the executed application is a driving game application, the application control screen may be a driving gate application dedicated operation screen that includes control commands and images, such as a handle, a gear, and the like, as illustrated on the right side of  FIG.  4 A . Further, if the executed application is a chatting/messaging application, the application control screen may be a chatting application dedicated operation screen that includes a keyboard type image, as illustrated in the right side of  FIG.  4 B . Further, if the executed application is a recording application, the application control screen may be a recording application dedicated operation screen that includes a microphone type image, as illustrated on the right side of  FIG.  4 C . However, the above-described application control screens are merely exemplary, and diverse application dedicated operation screens may be provided. For example, in the case of an application that requires numeral input, an operation screen for inputting numerals may be generated. 
     In addition, the application control screen may include a trademark of an application, a logo, a character, a production company, and the like, in addition to the control commands. 
     Further, if the user command is received from the external device  300  using the application control screen, the control unit  260  controls the whole display apparatus  200  according to the received user command. 
     Further, if an advertisement message for the specified application is received from the external server  100  through the communication unit  240 , the control unit  260  transmits the received advertisement message to the external device  300 . In this case, the specified application may be any one of a newly uploaded application, an application recommended by a service provider, an application for a category designated by a user, and an application related to a currently executed application on the display apparatus. 
     Further, if an advertisement region that is displayed on the external device  300  is selected, the control unit  260  receives the download command signal for the specified application that corresponds to the selected advertisement region from the external device  300 , and downloads and installs the specified application that is received from the external server  100 . 
       FIG.  3    is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the external device  200  according to an exemplary embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the external device  200  includes a communication unit  310 , a display unit  320 , a graphic user interface (GUI) generation unit  330 , and a control unit  340 . 
     The communication unit  310  performs communication with the display apparatus  200 . As described above, the communication unit  310  may use a Bluetooth module, an IR module, or an RF module in performing communication with the display apparatus  200 . 
     The display unit  320  may display the application control screen that corresponds to the application. For example, as illustrated on the right side of  FIGS.  4 A to  4 C , the display unit  320  may display an application dedicated operation screen. 
     Further, the display unit  320  may display the advertisement message for the specified application on a first region (hereinafter referred to as an “advertisement region”) of the display screen. 
     The GUI generation unit  330  may generate a GUI (Graphic User Interface) that is displayed on the display screen in a form of an OSD (On Screen Display). In this case, the GUI generation unit  330  may generate a menu window for conforming whether to download the application that corresponds to the advertisement region. 
     The control unit  340  controls the whole operation of the external device  300  according to a user command. In particular, the control unit  340  may display the application control screen that corresponds to the application executed in the display apparatus  200 . 
     Specifically, if an application control screen generation signal that corresponds to the application is received from the display apparatus  200 , the control unit  340  controls the display unit  320  to generate and display the application control screen that corresponds to the application. In this case, examples of the generated application control screen are illustrated in  FIGS.  4 A to  4 C . 
     Further, if the user command is input using the generated application control screen, the control unit  340  transmits the user command for the application to the display device  200 . 
     Further, if the advertisement message for the specified application is received from the display apparatus  200 , the control unit  340  controls the display unit  320  to display the advertisement message for the specified application on the advertisement region. For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  5 A , the control unit  340  controls the display unit  320  to display the advertisement region  510  at the end of the application control screen. 
     In this case, the advertisement message that is displayed on the advertisement region may include a title of the application, an image, and information. 
     Further, if the advertisement region illustrated in  FIG.  5 A  is selected (for example, if the advertisement region is touched) by the user, the control unit  340  controls the GUI generation unit  330  to generate a menu  520  for confirming whether to download the application that corresponds to the advertisement region, as illustrated in  FIG.  5 B . 
     Further, if the download command is input from the user through the menu  520 , the control unit  340  transmits the download command signal for the specified application to the display device  200 . 
     As described above, the user can receive the application dedicated operation screens optimized to the diverse applications through the display apparatus  200  and the external device  300 , and can download the application desired by the user without installing or entering into the application stores. 
     Hereinafter, with reference to  FIGS.  6  to  8   , a method for providing an application will be described. 
       FIG.  6    is a flowchart illustrating a method for executing an application of the display apparatus  200  according to an embodiment. 
     First, the display apparatus  200  determines whether an application execution command is input from a user (S 610 ). If the application execution command is input from the user (“Yes” in S 610 ), the display apparatus  200  displays the application execution screen of which the execution command is input (S 620 ). 
     Further, the display apparatus  200  transmits an application control screen generation signal to the external device  300  to generate the application control screen that corresponds to the application of which the execution command is input (S 630 ). In this case, the application control screen generation signal may include a command for generating the application control screen and meta data of the application of which the execution command is input. However, if the application control screen data that corresponds to the application is not previously transmitted to the external device  300 , the application control screen generation signal may include the application control screen data that corresponds to the application. 
     Further, if a user command is input from the external device  300  using the application control screen (“Yes” in S 640 ), the display apparatus  200  receives the user command (S 650 ), and operates the application according to the user command (S 660 ). 
       FIG.  7    is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing an application control screen of the external device  300  for controlling the display apparatus  200  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     First, the external device  300  determines whether to receive an application control screen generation signal from the display apparatus  200  (S 710 ). If the application control screen generation signal is received from the display apparatus  200  (“Yes” in S 710 ), the external device  300  displays the application control screen (S 620 ). In this case, as illustrated in  FIGS.  4 A to  4 C , the application control screen is designed to have the application dedicated configuration, and includes an application dedicated control command that suits the application characteristics. In addition, the application control screen may include a trademark of an application, a logo, a character, and a production company, in addition to the control commands. 
     Further, the external device  300  determines whether the user command is input through the application operation command (S 730 ). If the user command is input (S 730 ), the external device  300  transmits the input user command to the display apparatus  200  (S 740 ). 
       FIG.  8    is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing an application of the application providing system  10  according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     First, the server  100  transmits the application and the application control screen data to the display apparatus  200  (S 805 ). Then, the display apparatus  200  installs the application received from the server  100 , and retransmits the application control screen data to the external device  300  (S 810 ). 
     Thereafter, the display apparatus  200  determines whether the application execution command for the installed application is input (S 815 ). If the execution command in input (“Yes” in S 815 ), the display apparatus  200  displays the application execution screen (S 820 ). Then, the display apparatus  200  transmits the application control screen generation signal that corresponds to the application of which the execution command is input to the external device  300  (S 825 ). 
     If the external device  300  receives the generation signal from the display apparatus  200  (S 825 ), the external device  300  displays the application control screen that corresponds to the application of which the execution command is input (S 830 ). Then, the external device  300  receives a user command through the application control screen (S 835 ), and transmits the input user command to the display apparatus  200  (S 840 ). Then, the display apparatus  200  operates the application according to the transmitted user command (S 845 ). 
     Further, if the server  100  transmits the advertisement message for the specified application to the display apparatus  200  (S 850 ), the display apparatus  200  transmits the advertisement message for the specified application to the external device  300  (S 855 ). If the advertisement message for the specified application is transmitted from the display apparatus  200 , the external device  200  displays the advertisement message for the specified application on the advertisement region of the display screen as illustrated in  FIG.  5 A  (S 860 ). 
     Further, if the download command for the specified application is input, the external device  300  transmits the download command signal for the specified application to the display apparatus  200  (S 865 ). If the download command signal is transmitted to the display apparatus, the display apparatus  200  transmits the download request signal for the specified application to the server  100  (S 870 ), and receives the specified application from the server  100  (S 875 ). 
     According to the method for providing an application as described above, application dedicated operation screens that are optimized to diverse applications can be provided to the user, and the applications can be downloaded without installing or entering into the application stores. 
     On the other hand, in the above-described embodiments, it is exemplified that the external device  300  receives the application control screen data that corresponds to the application from the display apparatus  200 . However, this is merely exemplary, and the application control screen data may be pre-stored during the manufacturing of the display apparatus  200  or may be directly received from the server  100 . 
     Further, in the above-described exemplary embodiments, it is exemplified that the external device  300  receives the advertisement message from the display apparatus  200 . However, this is merely exemplary, and the external device  300  may receive the advertisement message directly from the server  100 . 
     While certain exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept, as defined by the appended claims.