Patent Publication Number: US-2011051019-A1

Title: Edge lighting control

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of electronics. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to controlling edge lighting of a display unit. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Generally, displays, e.g., television sets, are not considered as decorative items but rather functional. However, the appearance of a television set is becoming more important in light of new technologies and new uses and locations of television sets. For example, television sets are being used to display photo albums. Unfortunately, the mechanical bezel around the television set is typically not decorative. 
     Some have developed clear bezels with clear decorative edges to improve the appearance of television sets. However, the clear bezel is still incapable of being matched with the decor of the room, e.g., paint colors, chairs, tables, etc. Accordingly, television sets with clear bezels may still look not decorative, thereby lacking harmony with their surrounding decor. 
     In one conventional system, the bezel may change color based on the content being rendered by the television set. In other words, the content being rendered is processed and the color of the bezel changes based on the signal processing of the content. Unfortunately, the bezel does not render a color when the television is turned off. Thus, the conventional system that changes the color of the bezel is also not decorative when the television set is turned off. Moreover, the color rendered by the bezel or color operation itself are neither user selectable nor user controllable. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, a need has arisen to control the edge lighting of a display, e.g., television set, to decoratively match the television set with the exiting decor of a room. Moreover, a need has arisen to enable a user to control the edge lighting operation of a television set. For example, it is advantageous to enable a user to control the color of the light output by the bezel despite the television set being turned off. It will become apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the detailed description of the present invention that the embodiments of the present invention remedy the above mentioned needs and provide the above referenced advantages. 
     According to one embodiment, a television set comprises an edge lighting bezel that surrounds a display, a processor, and a memory component. The display is operable to render images. The operation of the edge lighting bezel is user controllable. The processor is operable to process data for controlling the operation of the edge lighting bezel responsive to a user input. It is appreciated that the memory component may store instructions and data operable to control the operation of the edge lighting bezel when processed by the processor. 
     In one embodiment, the default mode of operation is that bezel lighting is turned off. The user interface with the television, via on-screen menu selections, to activate bezel lighting operations. It is appreciated that the edge lighting bezel may be disabled in default mode in order to conform with Energy Star Compliance requirements. It is appreciated that the edge lighting bezel may remain or be turned on even when the television set is turned off. 
     The operation of the edge lighting bezel may include controlling the color pattern of the light output, selecting the animation of the light output, selecting dimming of the light output, altering the light output responsive to detecting motion, controlling the timing of the light output of the edge lighting bezel, turning on/off the edge lighting bezel based on an event, etc. It is appreciated that the operation of the edge lighting bezel is user controllable and user selectable. For example, a user may interact with on-screen graphical user interfaces (GUIs) via a remote control to program to alter the operation of the edge lighting bezel. 
     In one embodiment, the edge lighting bezel may comprise a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in a ring that surround the display. The LED ring is operable to emit light responsive to a user input. The edge lighting bezel may further include a light pipe or other light diffusive materials surrounding the LED ring to transmit light emitted from the LED. 
     Accordingly, the operation of edge lighting of a television set may be controlled by a user. The operation of the edge lighting of the television set may be altered responsive to user preferences, e.g., based on the room decor. As such, a television set becomes not only functional but rather decorative and enhances the user experience by improving the room decor. Edge lighting also improves product differentiation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows an exemplary television set in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows an exemplary on-screen graphical user interface for controlling edge lighting of a television set in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows an exemplary flow diagram for controlling edge lighting of a television set in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows an exemplary television set in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with these embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the invention. 
     Notation and Nomenclature 
     Some portions of the detailed descriptions which follow are presented in terms of procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing, and other symbolic representations of operations on data bits that can be performed on television set memory. These descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. A procedure, television set executed step, logic block, process, etc., is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps or instructions leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. 
     Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated in a computer system. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like. 
     It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the present invention, discussions utilizing terms such as “processing” or “creating” or “transferring” or “executing” or “determining” or “instructing” or “issuing” or “altering” or “clearing” or “accessing” or “aggregating” or “obtaining” or “selecting” or “calculating” or “measuring” or “querying” or “receiving” or “sending” or “providing” or “storing” or “displaying” or “rendering” or “scanning” or “detecting” or “prompting” or “dimming” or “changing” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a television set, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the television set&#39;s registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the television set memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices. 
     Edge Lighting Control 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a television set  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The television set  100  comprises a display  110  for rendering images, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs)  120  surrounding the display  110 , and a light pipe  130  that surrounds the plurality of LEDs  120 . It is noted that the bezel of the television set, as referred to herein, includes the plurality of LEDs  120  and the light pipe  130 . It is appreciated that the edge lighting control described herein with respect to a television set is exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present invention. For example, the edge lighting control may be used with any display having lighted bezel, e.g., a smart phone, a computer monitor, etc. 
     The display  110  is operable to render content, e.g., still images, frame images, animation, etc. It is appreciated that displaying content may be accompanied with the rendition of sound via speakers (not shown). 
     The plurality of LEDs  120  may include red, green, and blue (RGB) LEDs thereby operable to produce any color. According to one embodiment, the plurality of LEDs  120  may be disposed in a ring of LEDs that surround the display  110 . It is appreciated that the plurality of LEDs  120  is user controllable and user selectable as described herein. For example, the user may select the color of the light output, its brightness, its timing, etc. The output color from the plurality of LEDs  120  is user controllable and not necessarily dependent on the content being rendered by the display  110 . However, it is appreciated that the plurality of LEDs  120  may be controlled to output light that is content dependent as well. In one exemplary embodiment, a user may select the color of the light output based on user preferences and the decor of the room, thereby enhancing user viewing experience. Controlling the operation of the plurality of LEDs  120  in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is described in more detail with respect to  FIG. 2  below. 
     The output color from the plurality of LEDs  120  is transmitted using the light pipe  130 . The light pipe  130  is used to convey light without leakage from a source to a remote position of the display  110 . For example, the light pipe  130  may comprise a fiber optic. The light pipe  130  is operable to drive the light out of the edge of the bezel without creating a hot spot along the edges. It is appreciated that diffusive material may be used to display the output color in a well known fashin instead of using the light pipe  130 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary on-screen graphical user interface (GUI)  200  for controlling edge lighting of a television set in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The GUI  200  may be rendered by the display  110  of the television set  100 . User interaction with the GUI  200  is operable to control and define the operation of the plurality of LEDs  120  in various user selectable modes. 
     According to one embodiment, the GUI  200  includes a plurality of selectable icons, e.g., color  210 , bezel setup  220 , dim properties  230 , animation  240 , motion sensor  250 , and other properties  260 . A user may navigate the selectable icons of the GUI  200  using a remote control  280  or other means, e.g., touch screen, keyboard, mouse, etc. As a result, the operation of the plurality of LEDs  120  may be controlled, e.g., programmed, in accordance with user preferences using the GUI  200 . It is appreciated that the selectable icons and their corresponding functionalities are exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments. For example, additional selectable icons may be presented to provide a user with more options to control the operation of the bezel lighting. 
     It is appreciated that a selection of a selectable icon of the GUI  200  may provide the display and/or interaction of additional selectable items using a pop up window, a drop down menu, etc. According to one embodiment, selecting the color  210  icon displays a color wheel to the user. As such, a desired color for the output light may be selected. It is appreciated that more than one color may be selected for animation purposes. For example, a series of colors may be selected such that the output light changes color based on the selected sequence. 
     Selection of the bezel setup  220  icon may provide a plurality of further menu options to the user, e.g., “always on,” “always off,” “on when TV is off,” “on when motion detector is on,” and “on at night.” Selection of “always on” option maintains a light output from the bezel whether the television is on or off. On the other hand, selection of “always off” disables the light output from the bezel. It is appreciated that in one embodiment of the present invention the default mode may be “always off” in order to save power and maintain the Energy Star Compliant rating of the television set. 
     It is appreciated that the bezel lighting may be turned on only when the television is off. Accordingly, the light output does not distract the user when content is being rendered by the display  110 . Moreover, turning on the bezel lighting when the television set is off may be desirable in order to match the color of the light output with the color of the surrounding decor, thereby improving the room decor and the user experience, thereby turning the television set into a decorative item. 
     According to one embodiment, the bezel lighting may be turned on when motion is detected. For example, a motion detector within the television set  100  may be used to detect motion nearby and turn on the light output of the bezel responsive thereto. It is appreciated that in one embodiment, the light output may be turned on based on the time of day, e.g., night-time, day-time, time elapsed from a given event, etc. 
     Selection of the dim properties  230  icon of  FIG. 2  may provide additional selectable menu options. For example, the user may select to dim the light output when the television set is on, or dim the light output at night, or to disable the dimming capability all together. 
     In one embodiment, selection of the animation  240  icon may enable a user to configure the bezel to output light animation in a variety fashion. For example, selecting the animation  240  icon enables the bezel colors to be rotated over time, e.g., from white to black, in a round-robin fashion. It is appreciated that the animation colors are user selectable, e.g., by using the color wheel. Similarly, the bezel brightness may be controlled over time, e.g., rotating from brightest to dimmest, in a round-robin fashion. 
     According to one embodiment, the light output from the bezel may be configured, e.g., light sequencing, light colors, light brightness, timing or any combination thereof. As such, sequencing the on/off state of the plurality of LEDs  120 , their respective colors and their brightness over time appears as an animation. In other words, any combination of LED colors with a different or the same brightness may be turned on/off to appear as an animation. For example, different colors of light output may snake around the display  110 . In one embodiment, the same color of light may snake around the display  110 . Other embodiments may employ different brightness values as the light output snakes around the display  110 . In one exemplary embodiment, the light output is turned on sequentially and kept on until the last LED is turned on before the first LED that was turned on changes color, brightness, or turned off, etc. Accordingly, a sequence of specific LEDs may be selected, their colors may be configured, their brightness may be adjusted and their timing may be altered based on user preferences. 
     Selection of the motion sensor  250  icon of  FIG. 2  may provide a user with additional options. For example, the motion sensor may always be turned on/off. In one exemplary embodiment, the motion sensor may be turned on when the television set  100  is off and/or during night-time. In other words, the timing of when the motion sensor is enabled may be controlled by the user. For example, the user may enable the motion sensor at night-time such that the light output is turned on when the user walks into the room, thereby eliminating the need to turn on any additional light. 
     Selection of the “other properties”  260  icon may provide additional options, e.g., timing, sequencing of the plurality of LEDs  120  and their colors along with their brightness, etc. In one exemplary embodiment, other properties icon  260  provides the user with the option to turn on specific colors, brightness values, etc. based on, or independent of, the content being rendered by the display  110 . 
     It is appreciated that the user may further control the operation of the bezel lighting using the remote control  280  without using the GUI  200 . For example, selecting an “on” button  282  on the remote control may turn on the bezel light without interacting with the GUI  200 . Accordingly, it is appreciated that programming and controlling the operation of the bezel using the particular GUI  200  shown in  FIG. 2  is exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It is appreciated that the GUI  200  may be rendered on a display  281  of the remote control  280 . For example, the display  281  may comprise soft buttons for marking user selection in order to control the operation of the bezel lighting. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an exemplary flow diagram  300  for controlling edge lighting of a television set in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. At step  310 , a plurality of user selectable options is displayed to the user on screen. For example, the GUI  200  may include the user selectable options that are displayed to the user via the display  110 , as discussed with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . At step  320 , one or more user selections are received. For example, the user may navigate the GUI  200  and make one or more user selections using navigation buttons on the remote control  280 . It is appreciated that user selectable options may be presented on the remote control instead of the GUI  200  displayed by the television set, e.g., an on/off button  282  to power the edge lighting bezel, soft buttons  281  displayed on the remote control  280 , use of a small display  281  on the remote control  280 , etc. 
     At step  330 , the operation of the edge lighting bezel may be altered in response to the received user input. For example, the user input is operable to control the operation of the edge lighting bezel surrounding the display. For example, the user input may dim the light output, select a color pattern for the light output, turn on the light output responsive to detecting a motion, turn on the light output responsive to an event, e.g., time, disable the light output, turn on the light output when the television set is off, etc. 
     At step  340 , a color pattern of light that is responsive to the user input is rendered by the bezel. For example, the edge lighting bezel outputs a green light responsive to a user selection of green light to be output and turns on the edge lighting bezel in that fashion. It is appreciated that the edge lighting bezel may be disabled in its default mode in order to maintain Star compliance ratings. 
     Accordingly, the operation of the edge lighting of the television set may be altered responsive to user preferences and the room decor. As such, the television set becomes not only functional but rather decorative and enhances the user experience by improving the room decor. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates components of an exemplary computer controlled television set  400  that may serve as a platform for embodiments of the present invention. Although specific components are disclosed in system  400  it should be appreciated that such components are exemplary. That is, embodiments of the present invention are well suited to having various other components or variations of the components recited in system  400 . The exemplary television set  400  implements the process for controlling edge lighting as shown in  FIGS. 1-3  and includes a processor  403  for processing information and a tuner  414  for tuning the television set  400  to detect channels and signals associated therewith. It is appreciated that the tuner  414  may also convert the detected channel signals into a suitable form that is appropriate for processing by the processor  403 . 
     The exemplary television set  400  also includes a main memory  405 , such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor  403 . Main memory  405  also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processor  403 . The exemplary television set  400  further includes a read only memory (ROM)  407  or other static storage device for storing static information and instructions for processor  403 . A non-volatile storage device  409 , such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, may be provided for storing information and instructions and may store the persistent internal queue. According to one embodiment, the instructions for implementing the bezel lighting operations may be stored on any one of the memory components (e.g., RAM, ROM, non-volatile storage device and etc.). The exemplary television set  400  may comprise a display screen  411  for displaying content. 
     The display screen  411  further includes a plurality of light emitting diodes  432  surrounding the display. The light emitting diodes  432  operate substantially similar to that of  FIG. 1 , as presented above. The light emitting diodes  432  are surrounded by the light pipe  431  that operates substantially similar to that of  FIG. 1 , as presented above. It is appreciated that a user controls the operation of the light emitting diodes  432  by programming the processor  403 . 
     The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing instructions to processor  403  for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device  409 . Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory  405 . Transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires. Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave and infrared data communications. 
     Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer or a television set can read. 
     The exemplary television set  400  may also include a power detector  413 . The power detector  413  may be used to determine whether the television set is in a fully power mode, e.g., on, or at a lower power mode, e.g., standby, off, etc. The system  400  may further include content receiver  402 , display controller  404 , command receiver  408 , audio controller  416 , transmitter  420 , cable or satellite connection  422 , internet or LAN connection  424 , and wireless antenna  426 . The exemplary television set  400  may also include a speaker  406  for rendering audio outputs. 
     Content receiver  402  receives content for system  400 . Receiver  402  may receive signals including content from a variety of sources including, but not limited to, computers, computer networks, portable devices, set-top boxes, over the air broadcasts, cable broadcasts, satellite broadcasts, Digital versatile Discs (DVDs), Blue-ray discs, Digital Video Broadcasting—Handheld (DVB-H), Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB), Digital Video Broadcasting Satellite services to Handhelds (DVB-SH), Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), Digital Video Broadcasting IP Datacasting (DVB-IPDC), Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), etc. Content receiver  402  may receive content (e.g., electronic programming guide information and other content) via cable or satellite connection  422 , internet connection  424 , and wireless antenna  426  (e.g., via 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth, Z wave, Digital Broadcast, etc.). 
     Display controller  404  controls display screen  411  of system  400 . Display controller  404  may control a variety of display screens associated with system  400 , including but not limited to, CRTs, LCDs, plasma displays, projection based, and Digital Light Processing (DLP) displays. 
     Command receiver  408  receives commands. Command receiver  408  may receive commands via a variety of receivers including, but not limited to, infrared receivers and radio frequency receivers. The commands may have been issued via a remote control. In one embodiment, command receiver  408  includes an infrared (IR) receiver  410  and a radio frequency (RF) receiver  412 . 
     The processor  403  processes commands received by system  400  via command receiver  408 . The commands received are processed and executed by system  400 . For example, control codes (e.g., increase volume, change channel, launch an application, launch web browser, etc.) may be received via an infrared receiver  410  or radio frequency receiver  412 , decoded, and sent to the processor  403 . Moreover, the received command may include user preferences, e.g., user selection using the GUI described in  FIG. 2 , for setting up the operation of the bezel around the display screen  411 . 
     Audio controller  416  controls audio output for system  400  including a variety of outputs including, but not limited to, 2, 2.1, 3.1, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, and 8.1 channel audio. The audio content may be received via content receiver  402 . It is appreciated that audio controller  316  may output to audio equipment integrated within system  400 . 
     Transmitter  420  may send signals to a control device (e.g., remote control). The signals may include, but are not limited to, acknowledgments, EPGs (e.g., for download to a remote control) encrypted information, and information based on on-screen selections. 
     In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. Thus, the sole and exclusive indicator of what is, and is intended by the applicants to be, the invention is the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction. Hence, no limitation, element, property, feature, advantage or attribute that is not expressly recited in a claim should limit the scope of such claim in any way. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.