Abstract:
A color setting apparatus and method for a system for reproducing multimedia data are provided. The apparatus includes a color setting controller for displaying a closed curve band divided into at least two equal-sized sections each containing a different color, and a setting band having at least two sections for indicating change of a set value of each of the colors on a screen, and for changing the set value of a selected color and displaying the changed color according to the changed set value on the screen. The color setting controller increases or decreases the size of the section for indicating change of the set value according to the set value.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) from an application entitled “COLOR SETTING APPARATUS AND METHOD,” filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on 27 Jan. 2006 and assigned Serial No. 10-2006-0008948, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a color setting apparatus and method for reproducing multimedia data. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Development of multimedia technology has resulted in the introduction of various kinds of multimedia data and the development of image reproduction systems for reproducing, i.e., playing back or presenting, multimedia data. 
     Representative image reproduction systems for reproducing multimedia data include a digital television, a digital camera, a digital camcorder, a mobile terminal, and so on. 
     An image reproduction system can reproduce various types of multimedia data in various environments, and the user can often set a color in which the multimedia data is to be played back based on what is suitable within the ambient environment. 
     For example, when the image reproduction system reproduces multimedia data in an environment where the screen of the image reproduction system is brighter than the ambient light, color of the multimedia data to be played back on the screen of the image reproduction system can be set to faithfully represent what is intended. 
     If, on the other hand, the image reproduction system plays back multimedia data in an environment where ambient light is brighter than the screen, color of the multimedia data reproduced cannot be faithfully represented and the multimedia data are, as a result, difficult to see. 
     To resolve this problem, the image reproduction system provides a color setting function for adjusting the color of the screen in dependence upon the ambient environment. 
     The image reproduction system displays settable colors on the screen, which the user can set or adjust by means of the color setting function. 
     For example, the image reproduction system may display on-screen, e.g., in bar graph form, a set value (e.g., brightness of color) which is adjustable, and then displays the color corresponding to the adjusted set value while the user sets or adjusts the set value. 
     The set value displayed in bar graph form has a maximum value and a minimum value for a certain color, and the set value of the currently selected color is displayed together with the bar graph. 
     However, far more colors can actually be used for reproduction of the multimedia data than can be adjusted using the color setting function. 
     For example, when the image reproduction system employs a 24-bit RGB color space for reproduction of the multimedia data, 16,777,216 (=2 8 (R)×2 8 (G)×2 8 (B)) colors are usable in reproducing the multimedia data on the display. 
     However, since the image reproduction system provides the color setting function for only a limited number of colors, the user may not be able to adjust a desired color. Typically, the colors which can be changed by the color setting function are arranged on-screen so that the set value of the color selected from the arrangement can then be adjusted or changed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It would desirable to, instead, display, for user selection, the settable colors, and to provide for selection and then change of the set value of the selected color. 
     It would be further desirable, from the standpoint of user convenience, to avoid having to repeat the entire procedure for each color whose setting is to be adjusted. 
     The present invention provides a color setting apparatus and method in which selection of a color to be set and adjustment of its set value can be performed simultaneously. 
     In a first aspect of the present invention, a color setting apparatus includes a color setting controller for displaying a closed curve band divided into at least two equal-sized sections each containing a different color, and a setting band having at least two sections for indicating change of a set value of each of the colors on a screen, and for changing the set value of a selected color and displaying the changed color according to the changed set value on the screen. 
     The color setting controller may, according to the set value desired, increase or decrease the size of the section for indicating change of the set value. 
     The setting band may be arranged within the closed curve band. 
     In a second aspect, a color setting apparatus for a system for reproducing multimedia data includes: a display for displaying a closed curve band divided into at least two equal-sized sections each containing a different color, a setting band having at least two sections for indicating change of a set value of each of the colors, and a reference point for color selection on a screen; and a color setting controller for rotating the closed curve band and the setting band in a requested direction in response to a request for rotating the closed curve band and the setting band, changing the size of a portion of the setting band corresponding to a color located at the reference point in response to a color change request, and displaying the result. 
     The color setting apparatus may further comprise a key pad which has at least one rotation key for rotating the closed curve band and the setting band and at least one change key for changing the size of a portion of the setting band corresponding to a color requested to be changed. 
     In a third aspect, a color setting apparatus includes: a display for displaying a closed curve band divided into at least two equal-sized sections each containing a different color, a setting band having at least two sections for indicating change of a set value of each of the colors, and a pointer which is movable on the closed curve band for color selection on a screen; and a color setting controller for moving a location of the pointer to a requested location on the closed curve band in response to a location change request of the pointer, changing the size of a section of the setting band corresponding to the color on the closed curve band at which the pointer is located in response to a color change request, and then displaying the result. 
     The color setting apparatus may further comprise a key pad which has at least one location change key for changing a location of the pointer on the closed curve band and at least one setting band section change key for changing the size of the section of the setting band corresponding to a color requested to be changed. 
     In a fourth aspect, a color setting method for a system for reproducing, i.e., replaying, multimedia data, includes: (a) displaying a closed curve band divided into at least two equal-sized sections each containing a different color, and a setting band having at least two sections for indicating change of a set value of each of the colors on a screen; and (b) changing the set value of the selected color and displaying the changed color according to the changed set value. 
     Step (b) may comprise increasing or decreasing the size of the section for indicating change of the set value according to the set value and displaying the result. 
     In a fifth aspect, a color setting method for a system for reproducing multimedia data, includes: displaying a closed curve band divided into at least two equal-sized sections each containing a different color, a setting band having at least two sections for indicating change of a set value of each of the colors, and a reference point for color selection on a screen; rotating the closed curve band and the setting band in a requested direction in response to a request for rotating the closed curve band and the setting band; and changing the size of a portion of the setting band corresponding to a color located at the reference point in response to a color change request and then displaying the result. 
     In a sixth aspect, a color setting method for a system for reproducing multimedia data involves: displaying a closed curve band divided into at least two equal-sized sections each containing a different color, a setting band having at least two sections for indicating change of a set value of each of the colors, and a pointer which is movable on the closed curve band for color selection on a screen; moving a location of the pointer to a requested location on the closed curve band in response to a location change request of the pointer; and changing the size of a section of the setting band corresponding to the color on the closed curve band at which the pointer is located in response to a color change request and then displaying the result. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete appreciation of the present invention, and many of the attendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent as the present invention becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference symbols indicate the same or similar components, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a color setting apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating a color setting method of the color setting apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
       As shown in  FIG. 3A , the color setting interface comprises a color circle  301  having at least one changeable color, the different cross-hatchings and other designs in sectors of the circle denoting respective colors. The color setting interface further includes a setting circle  302  arranged in the color circle  301  to indicate change of the color contained in the color circle according to the set value, and left and right arrows  304   a .  304   b  indicating left and right movement directions of the color circle. The setting circle  302  centers on a color setting reference point  306  of the screen of the display  120 . 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating a color setting apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are flowcharts illustrating a color setting method of the color setting apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  shows a color setting interface screen used for color setting according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following discussion omits, for conciseness and clarity of presentation, detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein. 
       FIG. 1  shows an exemplary color setting apparatus  50  according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The color setting apparatus  50  has a key pad  100 , a controller  110 , a display  120 , and a storage unit  130 . 
     The key pad  100  has at least one key, generates a key selection signal when a key is selected, and provides it to the controller  110 . 
     Right, left, up and down directional keys, and an end key for terminating a current operation of the color setting apparatus  50 , may be provided. 
     The controller  110  displays, through the display  120 , a color setting interface  300  used for reproduction of the multimedia data at a color setting request. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3A , the color setting interface  300  comprises a color circle  301  having at least one changeable color, the different cross-hatchings and other designs in sectors of the circle denoting respective colors. The color setting interface  300  further includes a setting circle  302  arranged in the color circle  301  to indicate change of the color contained in the color circle according to the set value, and left and right arrows  304   a .  304   b  indicating left and right movement directions of the color circle. The setting circle  302  centers on a color setting reference point  306  of the screen of the display  120 . 
     As seen from  FIG. 3A , the color circle  301  has four changeable colors. The setting circle  302  shows the initial set values of the four colors, and indicates a change of the corresponding color according to the set value of each of the four colors. 
     As an example,  FIGS. 3A ,  3 D show, by way of illustrative and non-limitative example, the color setting interface  300  displayed on the screen of the display  120 . 
       FIG. 3A  shows four colors, but the number of colors is not so limited. 
     The controller  110  changes and then displays the set value of the color located at the color setting reference point  306 . This is done in response to a key selection signal corresponding to actuation of the up-down directional key on the key pad  100  in a state in which the color setting interface is displayed as shown in  FIG. 3A . 
     In that state, it is preferably the key selection signal corresponding to the up directional key which serves as a signal for reducing the magnitude of the set value of the color located at the color setting reference point  306 ; conversely, the key selection signal corresponding to the down directional key serves as a signal for increasing the magnitude of the set value of the color located at the color setting reference point  306 . The roles of the up and down keys may, however, be reversed in this regard. 
       FIGS. 3A ,  3 B collectively demonstrate, operationally, a transition in the color setting interface  300 . For example, when the controller  110  decreases a magnitude of the set value for a color  308   a  by keypad  100  operation, the sector  308   b  shrinks in size correspondingly to arrive at sector  308   d . As this occurs, the color  308   a  located at the color setting reference point  306  is changed to a color  308   c  corresponding to the decreased magnitude of the set value. 
     The controller  110  rotates the color circle  301  and the setting circle  302  in a direction corresponding to each directional key, as a key selection signal corresponding to the right-left directional keys is input from the key pad  100  in a state in which the color setting interface of  FIG. 3B  is displayed. 
     The controller  110  changes and then displays the set value of the color located at the color setting reference point  306  according to the key selection signal corresponding to the up-down directional key input from the key pad  100 . The change in set value is preferably concurrent with the respective change in color, and they preferably occur continuously. These changes occur in a state in which the color circle  301  and the setting circle  302  have been rotated in a direction corresponding to which of the right-left directional keys is actuated. The up-down adjustment may be held inoperative until the rotating achieves one of the designated, here four, orientations. 
     The key selection signal corresponding to the left directional key may cause rotation of the color circle  301  and the setting circle  302  counterclockwise, and the key selection signal corresponding to the right directional key may cause rotation of the color circle  301  and the setting circle  302  clockwise. 
     That is, the controller  110  rotates the color circle  301  and the setting circle  302  counterclockwise by a predetermined angle as the key selection signal corresponding to the left directional key is input from the key pad  100  in a state in which the color setting interface of  FIG. 3B  is displayed, as shown in  FIG. 3C . 
     Conversely, the controller  110  increases a magnitude of the set value of the color  310   a  located at the color setting reference point  306  by a predetermined amount as the key selection signal corresponding to the down directional key is input from the key pad  100  in a state in which the color setting interface of  FIG. 3C  is displayed. The predetermined amount may be, for example, proportional to the amount of time the down directional key is pressed, or may correspond to the number of discrete key actuations. The magnitude change is evidenced by the expansion in sector size, as seen by comparing sectors  310   b ,  310   d  in  FIGS. 3C ,  3 D, respectively. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3D , the color located at the color setting reference point  306  is consequently changed to a color  310   c  corresponding to expanded magnitude of the set value. 
     The storage  130  stores at least one color set value selected by the user. 
       FIG. 2  describes a color setting method of the color setting apparatus  50  according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
     The color setting apparatus  50  checks whether or not a certain key is selected in a state in which the color setting interface  300  used to reproduce the multimedia data is displayed at a color setting request (S 200 ). 
     The color setting apparatus checks, when a certain key is selected, whether or not the selected key is the directional key (S 202 ). 
     A check is made as to whether or not the selected key is the end key, if the selected key is not the directional key (S 204 ). 
     If the selected key is not the end key, an operation is performed (S 206 ); otherwise, if the selected key is the end key, the current operation is finished. 
     If the selected key is determined to be the directional key (S 202 ), query is made as to whether the selected key is the right-left directional key (S 208 ). 
     If the selected key is the left directional key (S 210 ), the color circle and the setting circle are rotated counterclockwise (S 212 ). 
     When the selected key is not the left directional key, the color circle and the setting circle are rotated clockwise (S 214 ). 
     If the selected key is determined not to be the right-left directional key, query is made as to whether the selected key is the up directional key (S 216 ). 
     If it is the up directional key, the set value of the color located at the color setting reference point is decreased by a predetermined magnitude (S 218 ). In addition, the size of the corresponding sector or portion of the setting circle is likewise decreased (S 220 ). 
     When the selected key is determined not to be the up directional key in step S 216 , the set value of the color located at the color setting reference point is increased by a predetermined magnitude (S 222 ), and the sector of the setting circle is likewise expanded in size (S 224 ). 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary color setting apparatus  60  according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     As in the first embodiment, the color setting apparatus  60  comprises a key pad  400 , a controller  410 , a display  420 , and a storage unit  430 . The key pad  400  has at least one key, generates a key selection signal when a key is selected, and provides the key selection signal to the controller  410 . Among the keys are right, left, up and down directional keys. 
     Unlike the first embodiment, the cooler setting apparatus  60  additionally features an end key for terminating a current operation of the color setting apparatus, a pointer moving completion key, and a color setting completion key. 
     The pointer is described further below. 
     The controller  410  displays the color setting interface used for reproduction of multimedia data through the display  420  at a color setting request. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the color setting interface  600  comprises a color band  601  which contains at least one changeable color for reproduction of the multimedia data, and the sectorized setting magnitude indicator  602  which contains portions or sectors that track and indicate, according to the set value, change in the associated color of the color band  601 . In the exemplary configuration seen in  FIG. 6 , each of the four sectors corresponds to an associated segment or section  606   a ,  608   a ,  610   a ,  612   a  of the color band  601 . 
     The color setting interface  600  further comprises a pointer  604  which is movable on the color band  601  and is used to select the color. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the pointer  604  may appear on-screen as a highlighting that frames the current section  606   a ,  608   a ,  610   a ,  612   a  of the color band  601 , although the pointer may instead take another form, such as a cursor displayed as an arrow. 
     In the color setting interface of  FIG. 6 , the color band  601  contains four colors, and the sectorized setting magnitude indicator  602  contains four respective portions, although more or fewer colors/portions are within the intended scope of the invention. 
     As in the first embodiment, the compact design of the color setting interface  600  is particularly suited to the screen of the display  420 . 
     Unlike the first embodiment, however, the directional keys are implemented as multi-function keys. Depending upon the current state, they either move the pointer  604  in a particular direction or adjust upward/downward a setting value. 
     In particular, when the pointer  604  moves on the color band  601  of the color setting interface displayed as shown in  FIG. 6 , the controller  410  allows the pointer  604  to move according to the directional key selection signal input from the key pad  400 . 
     When the pointer  604  does not move on the color band  601 , the controller  410  perceives a location of the pointer  604  and increases or decreases the set value of the color at which the pointer  604  is located according to the directional key selection signal input from the key pad  400 . In a manner similar to that of the first embodiment, when the pointer  604  is located at the lower section  606   a  of the color band  601 , increase of the set value is not only visible from the change in color for that lower section, but, perhaps more conspicuously, by an expansion in size of the sectorized setting magnitude indicator  606   b.    
     More generally, the second embodiment operates as follows. The controller  410  sets the current state to a color setting state when a key selection signal corresponding to the pointer moving completion key is input from the key pad  400  in a state in which the color setting interface is displayed as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     Conversely, the controller  410  sets the current state to a pointer movable state in which the pointer is movable on the color band  601  when a key selection signal corresponding to the color setting completion key is input from the key pad  400  in a state in which the color setting interface of  FIG. 6  is displayed. 
     The controller  410  finishes the current operation as a key selection signal corresponding to the end key is input from the key pad  400  in a state in which the color setting interface of  FIG. 6  is displayed. 
     The storage unit  430  stores at least one color set value selected by the user. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the color band  601  of the color setting interface  600  contains four colors, and the pointer  604  is located on the color section  606   a  of the color band. Although four sections  606   a ,  608   a ,  610   a ,  612   a  are shown, fewer or more sections are within the intended scope of the invention. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  are flowcharts illustrating an example of a color setting method of the color setting apparatus  60  of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, a check is made as to whether a key is selected in a state in which the color setting interface  600  is displayed at a color setting request (S 500 ). 
     When a key is selected, query is made as to whether the selected key is the directional key (S 502 ). 
     If it is not the directional key, query is made on whether the selected key is the pointer moving completion key (S 504 ). 
     If the selected key is pointer moving completion key, the color setting apparatus  60  goes into the color setting state for setting the color of the color band section  606   a ,  608   a ,  610   a ,  612   a  at which the pointer is current located (S 506 ). 
     The selected key is not the pointer moving completion key, a check is made as to whether the selected key is the color setting completion key (S 508 ). 
     If it is the color setting completion key, the color setting apparatus  60  goes into the pointer movable state in which the pointer is movable on the color band  601  (S 510 ). 
     If, on the other hand, it is not the color setting completion key, the color setting apparatus  60  checks whether the selected key is the end key (S 512 ). 
     When it is not the end key, the current operation that is being invoked by the user is performed (S 514 ); however, if it is the end key, the currently performed operation finishes, i.e., halts. 
     If, to the contrary, a directional key is being selected (S 502 ), query is made on whether the current states is the pointer movable state (S 516 ). 
     If the current state is the pointer movable state, the pointer  604  is moved in a direction corresponding to the directional key selected (S 518 ). 
     The color setting apparatus  600  checks a current location of the pointer  604  on the color band  601  when it is not in the pointer movable state (S 520 ). 
     The color setting apparatus  600  checks whether the pointer  604  is located at an upper part of the color band  601  (S 522 ). 
     Here, when a user looking at the screen or display  420  of the color setting apparatus  60  displaying the color setting interface  600  can see that the pointer  604  is positioned in an upper part of the color band  601 , the pointer is located at the upper part of the color band. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , when the pointer  604  is located in the section of a color  610   a , it is located in the upper part of the color band  601 . 
     The color setting apparatus  60  checks whether the up direction key is selected when the pointer is located at the upper part of the color band  601  (S 524 ). 
     The color setting apparatus  60  increases and then displays the set value of the color at which the pointer  604  is located when the up directional key is selected in a state in which the pointer is located at the upper part of the color band  601  (S 526 ). This change in set value is preferably accompanied not only by continuous transition in the color displayed in the upper part of the color band  601 , but by change in size of the respective sectorized setting magnitude indicator  610   b . The same visible phenomena occur in each of the below-specified cases, and will not be further described herein below. 
     The color setting apparatus  60  checks whether the down directional key is selected when the up directional key is not selected in a state in which the pointer is located at the upper part of the color band  601  (S 528 ). 
     The color setting apparatus  60  decreases and then displays the set value of the color at which the pointer  604  is located when the down directional key is selected in a state in which the pointer is located at the upper part of the color band  601  (S 530 ). 
     The above-shown logic for increasing or decreasing a set value is extended by, in the event the pointer is not located in the upper part, checking first whether it is located in the lower part (S 532 ) and, if not located there, whether it is located in the left part (S 542 ). If the latter check and if it is not located in the left part, the right part is assumed (S 542 , “NO” branch). Accordingly, the steps S 524 -S 530  performed in the above described manner in the case of the pointer  604  being located in the upper part, are analogously performed as steps S 534 -S 540 , S 544 -S 550 , and S 552 -S 558 , correspondingly, in dependence upon where the pointer is located. In each of the four possibilities of where the pointer is located, after the respective set value adjustment routine is executed, return is made to the beginning of the process of  FIG. 5A . 
     In particular, the color setting apparatus  60 : 
     a) checks whether the pointer is located at a lower part of the color band when the pointer is determined to not be at the upper part of the color band in step S 522  (S 532 ); 
     b) checks whether the down direction key is selected when the pointer is located at the lower part of the color band (S 534 ); 
     c) increases and then displays the set value of the color at which the pointer is located when the down directional key is selected in a state in which the pointer is located at the lower part of the color band (S 536 ); 
     d) checks whether the up directional key is selected when the down directional key is not selected in a state in which the pointer is located at the lower part of the color band (S 538 ); 
     e) decreases and then displays the set value of the color at which the pointer is located when the up directional key is selected in a state in which the pointer is located at the lower part of the color band (S 540 ); 
     f) checks whether the pointer is located on the left part of the color band when the pointer is determined to not be on the lower part of the color band in step S 532  (S 542 ); 
     g) checks whether the left direction key is selected when the pointer is located on the left part of the color band (S 544 ); 
     h) increases and then displays the set value of the color at which the pointer is located when the left directional key is selected in a state in which the pointer is located on the left part of the color band (S 546 ); 
     i) checks whether the right directional key is selected when the left directional key is not selected in a state in which the pointer is located on the left part of the color band (S 548 ); 
     j) decreases and then displays the set value of the color at which the pointer is located when the right directional key is selected in a state in which the pointer is located on the left part of the color band (S 550 ). 
     k) when the pointer is not located on the left of the color bar, determines that the pointer is located on the right part of the color bar and checks whether the right directional key is selected (S 552 ); 
     l) increases and then displays the set value of the color at which the pointer  604  is located when the right direction key is selected in a state in which the pointer is located on the right part of the color bar (S 554 ); 
     m) checks whether the left directional key is selected when the right directional key is not selected in a state in which the pointer  604  is located on the right part of the color bar (S 556 ); and 
     n) decreases and then displays the set value of the color at which the pointer  604  is located when the left directional key is selected in a state in which the pointer is located on the right part of the color bar (S 558 ). 
     As described above, the color setting apparatus and method can simultaneously select a color and adjust its set value. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in from and detail may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.