Patent Abstract:
A method for outputting multimedia files and broadcast contents of a selected television (TV) channels on the DPF in a picture-in-picture (PIP) output mode is provided. The method includes: starting the PIP output mode when the DPF plays multimedia files under a DPF mode; defining a PIP region on the DPF; receiving broadcasts of a selected TV channel; and outputting the multimedia files and the broadcast contents of the selected TV channel in the PIP output mode. A related DPF is also provided.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a digital photo frame (DPF) with a picture-in-picture (PIP) output function and method thereof. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     Along with rapid developments in electronic technology, DPFs have become familiar to consumers. Some types of DPFs have been designed not only to play image files, but also to broadcast television (TV) programs. 
     A great number of commercials are inserted into the TV programs. Many people dislike commercials and prefer spending the time during commercials to do other things. For example, if a commercial break begins on a DPF, a viewer might prefer to switch views on the screen to browse or edit image files rather than to endure the commercials. However, the viewer is left to guess when the commercial break is over and he or she should switch back to the TV channel, which is inconvenient and not-in-time, and may cause viewers to miss a part of their favorite TV program. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The components of the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of a DPF with a PIP output function and method thereof. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout several views. 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a DPF with a PIP output function in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the DPF of  FIG. 1  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of the DPF of  FIG. 1  outputting multimedia files and broadcast contents in a PIP output mode in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is an schematic view of the DPF of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the multimedia files and broadcast contents outputted in the PIP output mode in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a DPF  10  with a PIP output function in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     The DPF  10  includes a control panel  11 . The control panel  11  mainly includes a power button  12 , a previous button  13 , a next button  14  and a PIP button  15 . The power button  12  is configured for powering on and powering off the DPF  10 . The previous button  13  and the next button  14  are configured for selecting multimedia files for the DPF  10  to reproduce under a DPF mode of the DPF  10 . The previous button  13  and the next button  14  are further configured for changing television (TV) channels under a TV mode of the DPF  10 . The PIP button  15  is configured for activating a PIP output mode of the DPF  10 . 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the DPF  10  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     The DPF  10  includes a processor  20  connected to a TV receiving module  21 , a multimedia player module  22 , a storage  24 , and a display module  26 , which are controlled by the processor  20 . 
     The storage  24  is configured for storing multimedia files. The multimedia files may include image files, audio files, video files, and so on. When the DPF  10  is in the DPF mode, the processor  20  fetches the multimedia files from the storage  24  and transfers the multimedia files to the multimedia player module  22 . The multimedia player module  22  then reproduces image/video data of the multimedia files on the display module  26 . When the DPF  10  is in the TV mode, the TV receiving module  21  is controlled by the processor  20  to receive broadcast and transfer the contents of the broadcasts to the multimedia player module  22 . The multimedia player module  22  then reproduces image/video data of the contents of the broadcasts on the display module  26 . The multimedia player module  22  is connected to an audio output module  23  (e.g., a speaker) and the display module  26 . The audio output module  23  is configured for outputting audio data of the multimedia files and the contents of the broadcasts. 
     The DPF  10  also includes an infrared control module  25 . The infrared control module  25  is configured for receiving infrared control signals from a remote control (not shown) and converts the infrared control signals to digital serial signals. The digital serial signals are sent to the processor  20  and the processor  20  adjusts various parameters of the controllable modules according to the digital serial signals. The buttons on the control panel  11  can also be integrated with the remote control to control the operation of the DPF  10 . 
     The processor  20  includes a multimedia file reading module  201 , a TV tuning module  202 , and a PIP output module  203 . 
     The multimedia file reading module  201  is configured for fetching the multimedia files from the storage  24 . The TV tuning module  202  is configured for tuning the TV receiving module  21  to receive broadcasts over different TV channels according to user input. The PIP output module  203  is configured for outputting the multimedia files and contents of the TV broadcasts on the display module  26  in a PIP output mode via the multimedia player module  22  upon receiving a PIP signal transferred from the PIP button  15 . 
     Generally, according to an exemplary embodiment, under the DPF mode, the PIP output module  203  defines a PIP region on the display module  26  upon receiving the PIP signal. The TV tuning module  202  tunes the TV receiving module  21  to a selected TV channel. The PIP output module  203  outputs the multimedia files and the broadcast contents of the selected channel on the display module  26  in the PIP output mode via the multimedia player module  22 . 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart of the DPF  10  outputting the multimedia files and broadcast contents in the PIP output mode in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In step S 301 , the DPF  10  is in the DPF mode and plays the multimedia files. 
     In step S 302 , the PIP button  15  is pressed and generates a PIP signal. The PIP signal is transferred to the processor  20 . 
     In step S 303 , upon receiving the PIP signal, the PIP output module  203  defines the PIP region at a predetermined area of the display module  26 . The TV tuning module  202  tunes the TV receiving module  21  to a selected TV channel. The PIP output module  203  outputs the broadcast contents of the selected TV channel outside the PIP region and the multimedia files in the PIP region of the display module  26  via the multimedia player module  22 . The PIP output module  203  signals the multimedia player module  22  to output the audio data of the broadcast contents, and not output the audio data of the multimedia files. At this time, the previous button  13  and the next button  14  are enabled for tuning to various TV channels. 
     In step S 304 , the PIP button  15  is pressed for a second time. 
     In step S 305 , the PIP output module  203  exchanges output regions of the multimedia files and the broadcast contents of a selected TV channel. That is, the multimedia files are outputted outside the PIP region and the broadcast contents are outputted in the PIP region of the display module  26  via the multimedia player module  22 . At this time, the PIP output module  203  signals the multimedia player module  22  to output the audio data of the multimedia files, and not output the audio data of the broadcast contents. At this time, the previous button  12  and the next button  13  are enabled for controlling the playing of the multimedia files. 
     In step S 306 , the PIP button  15  is pressed for a third time. 
     In step S 307 , the PIP output module  203  signals the multimedia file reading module  201  to stop fetching the multimedia files from the storage  24 . The settings and progress of playing the multimedia files are automatically stored in the storage  24 . 
     In step S 308 , the PIP output module  203  outputs the broadcast contents on the display module  26  via the multimedia player module  22 . The broadcast contents take up the full screen of the display module  26 . The DPF  10  enters the TV mode. 
     In step S 309 , the PIP button  15  is pressed for a fourth time. 
     In step S 310 , the PIP output module  203  signals the TV tuning module  202 , and the TV tuning module  202  controls the TV receiving module  21  to stop receiving the broadcasts. 
     In step S 311 , the processor  10  fetches the stored settings and progress of playing the multimedia files from the storage  24  and resumes the play of the multimedia files. The DPF  10  enters the DPF mode. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic view of the DPF  10 , illustrating the multimedia files and broadcast contents outputted in the PIP output mode in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Firstly, at stage “A”, the PIP mode is not activated and the DPF  10  is in the DPF mode. The multimedia files are outputted using the full screen of the display module  26 . Users may view and edit the multimedia files through operating buttons on the control panel  11 . At stage “B”, the PIP button  15  is pressed for a first time and the PIP mode is activated. A rectangular PIP region  260  appears and takes up a predetermined area of the display module  26 . The broadcast contents are outputted outside the PIP region  260  and the multimedia files are outputted in the PIP region  260 . The users may operate the previous button  13  and the next button  14  to tune into a TV channel of their choice. At stage “C”, the PIP button  15  is pressed for a second time, as a result, output regions for the multimedia files and the broadcast contents of the users&#39; tuned TV channel are exchanged, and the users again may view and edit the multimedia files through operating buttons on the control panel  11 . In addition, the users can keep an eye on the broadcast contents of the users&#39; tuned TV channel, and easily know when their show begins. At stage “D”, the PIP button  15  is pressed for a third time, and the PIP mode is deactivated. The rectangular PIP region  260  disappears and the DPF  10  enters the TV mode. The broadcast contents of the users&#39; tuned TV channel are outputted through the full screen of the display module  26 . 
     By employing the PIP output function, the DPF  10  provides a PIP region for users to monitor broadcasts while using other function of the DPF  10 , and the users will not miss their shows. 
     Although the present disclosure has been specifically described preferred embodiments and method thereof, the invention is not to be construed as being limited thereto. Various changes or modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7