Patent Publication Number: US-2010118195-A1

Title: Remote control device and operating method thereof, and image display apparatus controlled by remote control device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0112958, filed on Nov. 13, 2008, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present invention relate to a remote control device, a method for operating the remote control device and an image display apparatus controlled by the remote control device. More particularly, apparatuses and methods consistent with the present invention relate to a remote control device capable of being physically separated into two or more parts, a method for operating the remote control device and an image display apparatus controlled by the remote control device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     With the development of technologies, televisions (TVs) have been able to receive various image signals using broadcast transmitters, digital versatile disks (DVDs), optical disc drives (ODDs) and storage media. However, when several users use a TV, only a single user having a remote controller is able to control the TV, and it is thus impossible to display on a single screen all images which they desire to view, which may cause inconvenience to users. 
     Therefore, when a plurality of users desire to view different images, they generally compromise with each other to select a single image. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention overcome the above disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also, the present invention is not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may not overcome any of the problems described above. 
     The present invention provides a remote control device capable of being physically separated into two or more parts, a method for operating the remote control device, and an image display apparatus controlled by the remote control device. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote control device comprising a first remote controller, and a second remote controller which is capable of being connected to or separated from the first remote controller. The first remote controller and the second remote controller may function as a single unit if the first remote controller and the second remote controller are connected, and the first remote controller and the second remote controller may function as individual units if the first remote controller and the second remote controller are separated. 
     The remote control device may further comprise a first control unit which changes an operating mode of an apparatus to be controlled if the first remote controller and the second remote controller are connected or separated, the first control unit being disposed in at least one of the first remote controller and the second remote controller. 
     The apparatus to be controlled may be a display apparatus which displays an image on a screen. 
     The first control unit may control the apparatus to be operated in a normal mode if the first remote controller and the second remote controller are connected, and the first control unit may control the apparatus to be operated in a competition mode if the first remote controller and the second remote controller are separated. The normal mode may be a mode to change an image in response to manipulation of the remote control device, and the competition mode may be a mode in which the apparatus divides the screen into a plurality of areas, changes a plurality of partial images displayed on the plurality of areas according to individual control signals of the first remote controller and second remote controller, and displays on a full screen an image having partial images which occupy a large number of areas of the screen after a predetermined time elapses. 
     Each of the first remote controller and the second remote controller may comprise a connector which connects the first remote controller and the second remote controller, a transmitter which transmits a remote control signal, a pointer display unit which displays a pointer on a screen of an apparatus to be controlled, and a key pad which comprises one or more remote control keys. 
     Each of the first remote controller and the second remote controller may comprise a connector which connects the first remote controller and the second remote controller, a first sensor which senses a posture of the first remote controller and the second remote controller, a transmitter which transmits a remote control signal to display a pointer on a screen of an apparatus to be controlled and to move the pointer according to the posture sensed by the first sensor, and a key pad which comprises one or more remote control keys. 
     Each of the first remote controller and the second remote controller may comprise a second sensor which senses vibration of the first remote controller and the second remote controller, a counter which counts the number of vibration sensed by the second sensor, and a second control unit which enables a selection of the plurality of areas of the screen according to the number of vibration counted by the counter. 
     Each of the first remote controller and the second remote controller may comprise a connector which connects the first remote controller and the second remote controller, and a second control unit which controls an apparatus to be controlled. The second control unit of the first remote controller may perform the same function as the second control unit of the second remote controller. 
     Each of the first remote controller and the second remote controller may further comprise a pointer display unit which displays a pointer on a screen of the apparatus. Both the second control unit of the first remote controller and the second control unit of the second remote controller may generate a signal to display the pointer. 
     At least one of the first remote controller and the second remote controller may further comprise a key pad which comprises one or more remote control keys. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remote control device comprising a plurality of remote controllers which are capable of being connected or separated. The plurality of remote controllers may function as a single unit if the plurality of remote controllers are connected, and the plurality of remote controllers may function as individual units if the plurality of remote controllers are separated. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image display apparatus comprising a signal receiver which receives a remote control signal from a remote control device comprising a plurality of remote controllers which are capable of being connected or separated; a display unit which displays an image on a screen; a control unit which, if the plurality of remote controllers are separated, controls the display unit to divide the screen into a plurality of areas, to change a plurality of partial images displayed on the plurality of areas according to individual control signals of the plurality of remote controllers, and to display on a full screen an image having partial images which occupy a large number of areas of the screen after a predetermined time elapses. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for operating a remote control device comprising a plurality of remote controllers which are capable of being connected or separated, the method comprising connecting or separating the plurality of remote controllers, and changing an operating mode of an apparatus to be controlled, according to whether the plurality of remote controllers are connected or separated. 
     The changing may comprise controlling the apparatus to be operated in a normal mode if the plurality of remote controllers are connected, and controlling the plurality of remote controllers to function as individual units if the plurality of remote controllers are separated. The normal mode may be a mode to change an image in response to manipulation of the remote control device. 
     The apparatus to be controlled may be a display apparatus which displays an image on a screen. 
     The controlling the plurality of remote controllers may comprise the apparatus dividing the screen into a plurality of areas, and changing a plurality of partial images displayed on the plurality of areas according to individual control signals of the plurality of remote controllers; and displaying on a full screen an image having partial images which occupy a large number of areas of the screen after a predetermined time elapses. 
     The changing may comprise transmitting a remote control signal to display a pointer on the plurality of areas of the screen, and changing a partial image displayed on an area indicated by the pointer among the plurality of areas of the screen. 
     The method may further comprise counting the number of vibration of the plurality of remote controllers, and enabling a selection of the plurality of areas of the screen according to the counted number of vibration. 
     The plurality of partial images may be obtained by dividing each of a plurality of images for competition according to the number of the plurality of areas of the screen, and may be changed to another plurality of partial images of one of the plurality of images for competition whenever the plurality of remote controllers point, and the changed partial images are displayed. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for operating a remote control device comprising a plurality of remote controllers which are capable of being connected or separated, the method comprising connecting or separating the plurality of remote controllers, and controlling the plurality of remote controllers to function as individual units to perform the same function if the plurality of remote controllers are separated. 
     The controlling may comprise controlling the plurality of remote controllers to generate a signal to display a pointer. 
     In an exemplary embodiment there is a remote control system including: a first remote control comprising a first housing; and a second remote control a second housing, wherein the first housing is configured to be physically attached to the second housing in a first mode and the first housing is not physically attached to the second housing in a second mode, and wherein in the first mode, the first and the second remote controls are operated as a single remote and in the second mode the first and the second remotes are separately operated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and/or other aspects of the present invention will be more apparent by describing certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  exemplarily illustrates a first remote controller and second remote controller of a remote control device which are connected according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  exemplarily illustrates the first remote controller and second remote controller of the remote control device of  FIG. 1  which are separated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a system comprising a first remote controller and an image display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a system comprising a first remote controller and an image display apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5A to 5F  exemplarily illustrate various forms of a remote control device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6 to 10  exemplarily illustrate screens of an image display apparatus to explain a competition mode when a first remote controller and second remote controller of a remote control device are separated according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart explaining a method for operating a remote control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart explaining a method for operating a plurality of remote controllers of a remote control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart explaining a method for controlling a competition mode of an image display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     In the following description, the same drawing reference numerals are used for the same 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. Thus, it is apparent that the exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be carried out 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. Expression such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modifies the entire list of elements and does not modify each element of the list. 
       FIG. 1  exemplarily illustrates a remote control device  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The remote control device  100  of  FIG. 1  comprises a first remote controller  110  and a second remote controller  120 , which are connected to each other. Alternatively, the first remote controller  110  and second remote controller  120  may be separated to perform their respective functions. 
       FIG. 2  exemplarily illustrates the first remote controller  110  and second remote controller  120  which are separated. The first remote controller  110  comprises a connector  111  which enables connection between the first remote controller  110  and the second remote controller  120 , a transmitter  112  which transmits a remote control signal, and a key pad  113 . The second remote controller  120  also comprises a connector  121 , a transmitter  122  and a key pad  123  which are configured in substantially the same manner as those of the first remote controller  110 . Thus, the second remote controller  120  may perform substantially the same function as the first remote controller  110 . The first and second remote controllers  110  and  120  will be described later in detail with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a system comprising the first remote controller  110  and an image display apparatus  200 . In  FIG. 3 , the first remote controller  110  comprises a control unit  114 , a sensor  115  and a counter  116  in addition to the connector  111 , the transmitter  112  and the key pad  113  described above. Although not shown in  FIG. 3 , the second remote controller  120  may be configured in substantially the same manner as the first remote controller  110 . 
     The connector  111  of the first remote controller  110  is capable of being connected to the connector  121  of the second remote controller  120 , and may be implemented as a magnetic connector. Alternatively, the connector  111  may have a protruding portion and the connector  121  may have a groove portion, so that the protruding portion of the connector  111  may be inserted into the groove portion of the connector  121 , and thus the first remote controller  110  may be connected to the second remote controller  120 . 
     The control unit  114  comprises a first control unit  114 - 1  and a second control unit  114 - 2 . The first control unit  114 - 1  detects whether or not the first and second remote controllers  110  and  120  are connected, and changes an operating mode of an apparatus to be controlled. Here, the apparatus to be controlled may be the image display apparatus  200  which displays an image on a screen. Additionally, the image displayed on the screen may comprise an image receivable from an external source such as a broadcast channel, a digital versatile disk (DVD) player and an external storage medium and displayable on the image display apparatus  200 . 
     The first control unit  114 - 1  may be included in either the first remote controller  110  or the second remote controller  120 . 
     If it is determined that the first remote controller  110  and second remote controller  120  are connected, the first control unit  114 - 1  may control the image display apparatus  200  to be operated in a normal mode which enables a user to change a currently displayed image by manipulating the remote control device  100 , or if not, the first control unit  114 - 1  may control the image display apparatus  200  to be operated in a competition mode. 
     The normal mode enables general functions of a TV remote controller to be performed, for example a broadcast channel control function such as channel up and down or volume up and down, or a TV setting function such as sound, image and external apparatus settings. 
     The competition mode enables at least two users to determine which single display image is to be displayed by playing a game when they desire to view different images. In more detail, if the competition mode is set, the image display apparatus  200  may divide the screen into a plurality of areas, may change a plurality of partial images displayed on the plurality of areas respectively according to individual control signals of the first and second remote controllers  110  and  120 . After a predetermined time elapses, the image display apparatus  200  may display on the full screen an image having partial images which occupy a large number of areas on the screen among the plurality of partial images. 
     Additionally, upon determining that the first remote controller  110  and second remote controller  120  are connected, the first controller  114 - 1  disables a competition mode-related function of the first remote controller  110  and second remote controller  120 . If the first control unit  114 - 1  determines that the first remote controller  110  and second remote controller  120  are separated, the second control unit  114 - 2  controls operations of the first remote controller  110 . 
     The transmitter  112  of the first remote controller  110  transmits a remote control signal to the image display apparatus  200 . In more detail, the transmitter  112  transmits to the image display apparatus  200  a remote control signal to change a current operating mode of the image display apparatus  200  to the competition mode when the first remote controller  110  and second remote controller  120  are separated. After change to the competition mode, the transmitter  112  also transmits to the image display apparatus  200  a remote control signal in response to user manipulation of the first remote controller  110  or second remote controller  120 . 
     The sensor  115  comprises a first sensor  115 - 1  for sensing a posture, i.e., the orientation, of the first remote controller  110  and a second sensor  115 - 2  for sensing a motion of the first remote controller  110 . 
     The first sensor  115 - 1  senses movement of a front end of the first remote controller  110 , namely a side in which the transmitter  112  is placed, and sends the result of sensing to the second control unit  114 - 2 . The first sensor  115 - 1  may be implemented as a biaxial gyro sensor and a terrestrial magnetism sensor. 
     The second control unit  114 - 2  generates a signal for displaying a pointer on the screen of the image display apparatus  200 , and transmits to the image display apparatus  200  the signal for displaying the pointer as a remote control signal to move the pointer based on the result of sensing of the first sensor  115 - 1  via the transmitter  112 . 
     The front end of the first remote controller  110  may be moved by a user on a virtual plane (VP) in an upward or a downward direction, or to the left or right, or in a direction combining two of these directions, such as an upper-leftward direction, for instance. That is, the front end of the first remote controller  110  may be moved in any direction. The VP is in a parallel relation with the screen of the image display apparatus  200 . 
     When the front end of the first remote controller  110  is moved on the VP, a pointer P displayed on the screen of the image display apparatus  200  moves in the same direction as the front end of the first remote controller  110 . For example, if a user moves the front end of the first remote controller  110  upwards on the VP, the pointer P may move upwards, and if the user moves the front end of the first remote controller  110  to the upper-left on the VP, the pointer P may move to the upper-left. 
     Thus, the pointer P displayed on the screen of the image display apparatus  200  may be moved by the user spatially moving the first remote controller  110 . 
     The VP may not be in a perfect parallel relation with the screen of the image display apparatus  200 , and may not be a perfect plane. That is, it is practically impossible for the movement of the front end of the first remote controller  110  by the user to be on a perfect plane and in a perfect parallel relation with the screen of the image display apparatus  200 . 
     Accordingly, exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be applicable to a situation in which the front end of the first remote controller  110  moves on an imperfect plane and in an imperfect parallel relation with the screen of the image display apparatus  200 . 
     If a user presses a pointing record button using the key pad  113 , the second control unit  114 - 2  transmits information regarding movement such as a direction of movement, a distance moved, or other information, which is obtained from the sensing result transmitted from the first sensor  115 - 1 , to the image display apparatus  200  via the transmitter  112 . 
     While the key pad  113  is implemented by a single button as shown in  FIG. 2 , exemplary embodiments of the present invention are also applicable to a key pad comprising a power button, a channel button, a volume button, a selection button, or other buttons. 
     The second sensor  115 - 2  may be implemented as an acceleration sensor which senses a motion of the first remote controller  110 . The counter  116  counts the number of motions of the first remote controller  110  sensed by the second sensor  115 - 2 . A single motion may be to-and-fro, so the counter  116  counts the number of times the first remote controller  110  is moved back and forth. 
     The second control unit  114 - 2  provides the number of pointing records, i.e., the number of times the pointing record button is pressed, so that the pointer P may be moved as many times as the number of motions counted by the counter  116 . 
     The image display apparatus  200  comprises a signal receiver  210 , a control unit  220  and a display  230 . The operations of the first remote controller  110  and the competition mode of the image display apparatus  200  under the control of the second control unit  114 - 2  will be described later in detail with reference to  FIGS. 6 to 10 . 
     The signal receiver  210  receives the remote control signal from the first remote controller  110  or second remote controller  120 , and the control unit  220  then changes the current operating mode of the image display apparatus  200  to the competition mode in response to the remote control signal. 
     In the competition mode, the display unit  230  displays an initial setting window to receive a selection of channels for competition, under the control of the control unit  220 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     The channels for competition may be previously set using a picture-in-picture (PIP) function of the image display apparatus  200  prior to entering the competition mode. In this situation, there is no need to display the initial setting window. 
     If channels for competition are input or have been previously set, the control unit  220  may enable two or more users to ensure the number of pointing records using their remote controllers (namely, the first remote controller  110  or the second remote controller  120 ) for a predetermined time. Referring to  FIG. 7 , a first user and a second user may ensure the number of pointing records by moving the first remote controller  110  and the second remote controller  120 , respectively, for five seconds prior to starting a game. 
     After a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit  220  starts the game under the control of the first remote controller  110  and second remote controller  120 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . In more detail, the control unit  220  controls the display unit  230  to divide the screen into a plurality of areas. 
     The control unit  220  also controls the display unit  230  to divide each of a first image and a second image into a plurality of partial images according to the number of areas into which the screen is divided, and to display the plurality of partial images on the plurality of areas. Here, the first image is received via a channel selected by the first user using the first remote controller  110 , and the second image is received via a channel selected by the second user using the second remote controller  120 . Additionally, the number of partial images of the first image may be identical to the number of partial images of the second image, and the plurality of partial images may be displayed on the screen in a random order. 
     The control unit  220  makes a change in the plurality of partial images displayed on the plurality of areas, whenever receiving a remote control signal to display a pointer from the first remote controller  110  and second remote controller  120 . For example, if a pointer under the control of the second remote controller  120 , points at a first area on which one of the partial images of the first image is displayed, the control unit  220  may control the display unit  230  to display one of the partial images of the second image on the first area, instead. 
     After a preset game time has elapsed, the control unit  220  controls the display unit  230  to compute the number of partial images of the first image and the number of partial images of the second image, and to display on the full screen an image having partial images occupying a large number of areas of the screen between the first image and second image. In this situation, the first image is received via a channel set by the first remote controller  110 , and the second image is received via a channel set by the second remote controller  120 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the number of partial images on channel  30  set by a user of the first remote controller  110  is greater than that of partial images on channel  8  set by a user of the second remote controller  120 . Accordingly, an image corresponding to channel  30  is displayed on the full screen, and the competition mode is terminated. The users may then combine the first remote controller  110  and the second remote controller  120 , to control video and sound received via channel  30 . 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a system comprising the first remote controller  110  and the image display apparatus  200  according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 4 , the first remote controller  110  comprises a connector  111 , a transmitter  112 , a key pad  113 , a control unit  114 , a counter  116  and a pointer display unit  117 . The pointer display unit  117  of  FIG. 4  is included instead of the first sensor  115 - 1  shown in  FIG. 3 . Components other than the pointer display unit  117  in the system of  FIG. 4  perform substantially the same functions as those shown in  FIG. 3 , so no further description is herein provided. 
     The pointer display unit  117  displays a pointer on the screen of the image display apparatus  200 , and may be implemented as a laser pointer. 
     If a user selects a screen selection button when the pointer is currently displayed on the screen by the pointer display unit  117 , the second control unit  114 - 2  transmits a remote control signal to change a partial image displayed on an area of the screen pointed by the pointer to the image display apparatus  200  via the transmitter  112 . 
     While the remote control device  100  comprises two remote controllers, namely the first remote controller  110  and second remote controller  120  in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is no limitation thereto. Accordingly, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are also applicable to a remote control device having a plurality of remote controllers in various forms as shown in  FIGS. 5A to 5F . 
     Additionally, a broadcast image is received by the channel for competition in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, but there is no limitation thereto. Accordingly, a DVD image capable of being displayed on an image display apparatus, and an image stored in a storage medium may also be received by the channel for competition. 
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart explaining a method for operating a remote control device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 11 , the remote control device comprises a plurality of remote controllers which are capable of being separated or connected, and an operating mode of an apparatus to be controlled may be changed according to whether or not the plurality of remote controllers are separated (S 1100 ). The apparatus to be controlled may be an image display apparatus capable of displaying an image on a screen. 
     If it is determined that the plurality of remote controllers are separated (S 1100 :Y), the plurality of remote controllers function as individual units (S 1200 ). Alternatively, if it is determined that the plurality of remote controllers are connected (S 1100 :N), the normal mode is set to control general functions and settings of an image display apparatus (S 1300 ). 
     A method for operating the plurality of remote controllers which are separated is now described with reference to  FIG. 12 . 
     In  FIG. 12 , channels for competition are selected (S 2100 ), a remote control signal to display a pointer on a plurality of areas of a screen of the image display apparatus is transmitted to the image display apparatus  200  (S 2200 ), and a plurality of partial images appearing on the plurality of areas are changed (S 2300 ). 
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart explaining a method for controlling a competition mode of an image display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 13 , a remote control device comprising a plurality of remote controllers which are capable of being separated or connected controls the competition mode of the image display apparatus. In this situation, an operating mode of the image display apparatus may be changed according to whether or not the plurality of remote controllers are separated (S 3000 ). 
     If it is determined that the plurality of remote controllers are connected (S 3000 :N), the normal mode is set to control general functions and settings of the image display apparatus (S 3100 ). 
     If it is determined that the plurality of remote controllers are separated (S 3000 :Y), the image display apparatus receives a remote control signal to change a current operating mode to the competition mode, so that the image display apparatus is operated in the competition mode (S 3200 ). 
     If there is no preset channel for competition (S 3300 :N), a plurality of users select desired channels using their own remote controllers (S 3400 ). Alternatively, if channels for competition have been previously set using the PIP function (S 3300 :Y), these channels are automatically selected. 
     After operation S 3400 , the screen is divided into a plurality of areas, and a plurality of partial images of each image received by each channel for competition are displayed on the plurality of areas (S 3500 ). In this situation, the number of displayed partial images may be the same. 
     If one of the plurality of remote controllers points at a predetermined area, a partial image displayed on the predetermined area is changed (S 3600 ). If a preset time elapses (S 3700 :Y), the number of partial images for each image is computed (S 3800 ). 
     An image occupying a large number of areas of the screen is displayed on the full screen (S 3900 ), and the competition mode is terminated. 
     Therefore, it is possible for a user to easily enter a competition mode by physically separating the plurality of remote controllers, and to decide an image to be displayed by playing a game, which provides the user with entertainment. 
     The foregoing exemplary embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention 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.