Patent Description:
Devices and methods consistent with what is disclosed herein relate to an electronic device and a method for controlling thereof, and more particularly, to an electronic device including a photodiode and a method for controlling thereof.

Recently, with the development of electronic technology, various electronic devices such as a TV, a computer, a notebook, etc. have been developed and such electronic devices are being used while being connected to various external devices for satisfying the detailed demands of consumers. For example, display devices such as a TV, etc. are being used while being connected to a set-top box, a Blue ray player, etc..

As an electronic device is used in connection with various external devices, a need for the electronic device to efficiently receive and process a signal transmitted from external devices arises.

For this purpose, optical communication where a light signal is received and transmitted through light fibers is recently used. However, there arises a problem of redundant power consumption since an electronic device should be in a standby state while providing power to all of the components for receiving and processing an optical signal to receive the optical signal from an external device and process the optical signal.

Accordingly, a demand for an electronic device for reducing redundant power consumption in a standby mode for receiving an optical signal arises.

<CIT> discloses a photo-detecting semiconductor device which has a first photodetector element and a second photodetector element placed adjacent to each other and isolated from each other.

<CIT> discloses a device which includes a power driver configured to manage power supply to one or more components in system on chip hardware.

<CIT> discloses a digital video signal interface module comprises a laser driver and a laser diode receiving digital video signals.

An aspect of the exemplary embodiments relates to providing an electronic device for reducing power consumption in a standby mode and a method for controlling thereof.

According to an exemplary embodiment, an electronic device is provided according claim <NUM>. Optional features are set out in claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for controlling an electronic device is provided according to claim <NUM>.

According to the above-described various exemplary embodiments, redundant power consumption may be reduced in a standby mode for receiving an optical signal.

The terms used in the present disclosure and the claims are general terms selected in consideration of the functions of the various example embodiments of the present disclosure. However, such terms may be varied depending on an intention of those skilled in the art, a legal or technical interpretation, an emergence of a new technology, and the like. Also, there may be some terms arbitrarily selected by an applicant. Such terms may be construed according to meanings defined in the present specification, and may also be construed based on general contents of the present specification and a typical technical concept in the art unless the terms are not specifically defined.

In describing example embodiments, detailed description of relevant known functions or components may be omitted if it would obscure the description of the subject matter.

Furthermore, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, we note that the present invention may be embodied in different other forms and should not be construed as being limited only to the embodiments set forth herein.

Referring to the attached drawings, the EMI shielding structures according to exemplary embodiments will be described in detail below.

<FIG> is a view provided to explain an electronic system according to an exemplary embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, an electronic system <NUM> may include an electronic device <NUM> and an external device <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> may be connected to the external device <NUM>.

For example, the electronic device <NUM> may be connected to the external device <NUM> through a cable. The cable may be an optical cable formed of a bunch of optical fibers consisting of inner glass (core) having a large refractive index and outer glass (cladding) having a small refractive index. Therefore, the electronic device <NUM> and the external device <NUM> may simultaneously transmit and receive a large amount of data without interruption due to an external wavelength compared to telecommunication where an electronic signal is received and transmitted by using a copper wire.

In addition, the optical cable may be a transparent optical cable formed of transparent materials. An outer cover of the optical cable may be embodied with a transparent material, for example, a transparent plastic material. In addition, the inside of the outer cover may be coated with an inner cover material for reducing an interference effect caused by natural light. Therefore, the electronic device <NUM> and the external device <NUM> may be connected to each other without destroying visual aesthetic sense unlike conventional opaque cables.

The external device <NUM> may be a Jack Pack device where an audio and video jack (A/V Jack) is manufactured in a Pack type. When the electronic device <NUM> is embodied in a ceiling hanger type to be installed from the ceiling or a wall-mounted type to be fixed at the wall as a PDP-TV, the jack pack device may be separately manufactured from the PDP-TV to eliminate difficulty of A/V cable connection due to the A/V jack being located on a rear surface of the device. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The external device <NUM> may be various types of devices connected to the electronic device <NUM> through a cable for transmitting and receiving various kinds of data, for example, a set-top box, a Blu-Ray Player, etc..

The external device <NUM> may transmit an optical signal to the electronic device <NUM> through an optical cable.

Specifically, when the external device <NUM> is embodied as the jack pack device, the external device <NUM> may convert a signal received from another external device (not shown) connected thereto into an optical signal and transmit the optical signal to the electronic device <NUM> through the optical cable.

The electronic device <NUM> may be various types of display devices such as a TV, a computer, a notebook, etc. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, but it should be understood that the electronic device <NUM> may be various types of devices that are connected to the external device <NUM> through a cable and transmit and receive various kinds of data.

The electronic device <NUM> may receive and process the optical signal transmitted from the external device <NUM> through the optical cable.

To this end, the electronic device <NUM> may include a signal conversion unit, an amplifier and a processor. The detailed description of how the electronic device <NUM> receives and processes an optical signal will be made with reference to drawings below.

<FIG> is a block diagram provided to explain configuration of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a signal conversion unit <NUM>, an amplifier <NUM> and processor <NUM>.

The signal conversion unit <NUM> may convert an optical signal received from the external device <NUM> into an electric signal. The signal conversion unit <NUM> may include at least one photodiode.

The at least one photodiode included in the signal conversion unit <NUM> may convert an optical signal into an electric signal by using a phenomenon of generating an electromotive force when a PN junction unit of a semiconductor is irradiated with light. To this end, a light extraction property which serves as an optical sensor to a PN semiconductor may be added to the photodiode. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, but the photodiode may have a structure that uses a photovoltaic effect of a Schottky diode of metal-semiconductor contact in replace of PN junction, or a pin photodiode structure where an i layer is interposed between a P layer and an N layer.

In addition, the signal conversion unit <NUM> may transmit the converted electric signal to the processor <NUM>. For this, the signal conversion unit <NUM> may be connected to the processor <NUM> on a printed circuit board (PCB) through a PCB pattern. The PCB pattern may refer to a portion formed of a conductive material so that a current may flow through on the PCB.

In addition, the signal conversion unit <NUM> may transmit the converted electric signal to the amplifier <NUM>. For this, the signal conversion unit <NUM> may be connected to the amplifier <NUM> on the PCB through the PCB pattern.

The amplifier <NUM> may be connected to the signal conversion unit <NUM>, and in response to the electric signal being received from the signal conversion unit <NUM>, amplify the received electric signal.

To this end, the amplifier <NUM> may be embodied as a Trans-Impedance Amplifier (TIA).

The trans-impedance amplifier may refer to an amplifier which converts a current signal, which is provided as an input, into a voltage signal by using a convey impedance, amplifies the voltage signal and outputs the amplified voltage signal. Specifically, when the signal conversion unit <NUM> converts an optical signal into a current signal and transmits the current signal, the trans-impedance amplifier may convert the current signal into the voltage signal and amplify the voltage signal. Accordingly, the trans-impedance amplifier may convert an output current signal output from the signal conversion unit <NUM> into the voltage signal and amplify an amplitude of the voltage signal.

Meanwhile, as shown in <FIG>, the amplifier <NUM> may be connected to a second power source <NUM> in the electronic device <NUM>. The second power source <NUM> may supply a voltage required for driving the amplifier <NUM>, the amplifier <NUM> may not amplify and output a signal output from the signal conversion unit <NUM> when the second power source <NUM> is turned off.

The processor <NUM> may control overall operations of the electronic device <NUM>.

To this end, the processor <NUM> may include a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Random Access Memory (RAM), and a Read Only Memory (ROM) and perform calculations and data processing related to controlling other constituents included in the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may be embodied as a Micro Controller Unit (MCU).

The processor <NUM> may receive the electric signal from the signal conversion unit <NUM>.

The second power source <NUM> may not be supplied to the amplifier <NUM>. That is, the amplifier <NUM> may not amplify the electric signal output from the signal conversion unit <NUM> and output the electric signal to the processor <NUM>.

As such, the electronic device <NUM> may not supply power to the amplifier <NUM> in a standby mode for receiving an optical signal, thereby reducing redundant power consumption.

The processor <NUM> may control the second power source <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> to supply power to the amplifier <NUM> when receiving an electric signal from the signal conversion unit <NUM>.

Specifically, the processor <NUM>, in response to an electric signal being received from the signal conversion unit <NUM>, may determine that an optical signal is received from the external device <NUM>. Accordingly, the processor <NUM> may control the second power source <NUM> to apply power to the amplifier <NUM> for performing signal processing of the optical signal received from the external device <NUM> when it is determined that the optical signal is received from the external device <NUM>.

When a driving voltage by the second power source <NUM> is applied to the amplifier <NUM>, the amplifier <NUM> may amplify the electric signal output from the signal conversion unit <NUM> and output the amplified electric signal to the processor <NUM>. Thus, a current signal may be converted into a voltage signal, and the voltage signal may be transmitted to the processor <NUM> with an amplitude being amplified.

Accordingly, the processor <NUM> may perform a function of the electronic device <NUM> by using the amplified electric signal.

For example, when the electronic device <NUM> further includes a display (not shown), the processor <NUM> may output an image on the display by using the amplified electric signal.

Specifically, when the amplified electric signal is related to an image, the processor <NUM> may control an image processing unit (not shown) to perform image processing such as frame rate conversion, resolution conversion of image contents, and the like, and when the amplified electric signal is related to a voice, the processor <NUM> may control an audio processing unit (not shown) to perform audio processing such as decoding, scaling, noise filtering of voice contents, etc..

The detailed description of the case where the signal conversion unit <NUM> includes a first photodiode and a second photodiode and the case where the signal conversion unit <NUM> includes a single photodiode will be made below.

Hereinafter, the repeated description of <FIG> will be omitted.

<FIG> is a block diagram provided to explain configuration of an electronic device for comparison with the claimed invention when a signal conversion unit includes a first photodiode and a second photodiode according to an exemplary embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a first photodiode <NUM>, a second photodiode <NUM>, an amplifier <NUM> and a processor <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, which is also provided for comparison with the claimed invention, the first photodiode <NUM> may be connected to a first power source <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. Accordingly, the first photodiode <NUM> may convert an optical signal received from the external device <NUM> into an electric signal by using power supplied from the first power source <NUM>.

In addition, the first photodiode <NUM> may transmit the converted electric signal to the processor <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the second photodiode <NUM> may be connected to the second power source <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. Accordingly, the second photodiode <NUM> may convert the optical signal received from the external device <NUM> into the electric signal by using power supplied from the second power source <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>.

In addition, the second photodiode <NUM> may transmit the converted electric signal to the amplifier <NUM> when the amplifier <NUM> in an off state starts to be driven.

The amplifier <NUM> may be connected to the second photodiode <NUM> and in response to an electric signal being received from the second photodiode <NUM>, amplify the received electric signal.

The processor <NUM> may receive an electric signal from the first photodiode <NUM>. Specifically, the first photodiode <NUM>, in response to the optical signal being received from the external device <NUM>, may convert the optical signal into the electric signal and output the converted electric signal to the processor <NUM>. Accordingly, the processor <NUM> may receive the electric signal from the first photodiode <NUM>.

The second power source <NUM> may not be supplied to the amplifier <NUM>. That is, the amplifier <NUM> may not amplify the electric signal output from the second photodiode <NUM> and output the electric signal to the processor <NUM>.

When the processor <NUM> receives an electric signal, the processor <NUM> may control the second power source <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> to supply power to the amplifier <NUM>.

Specifically, the processor <NUM>, in response to the electric signal being received from the first photodiode <NUM>, may determine that the optical signal is received from the external device <NUM>. Accordingly, the processor <NUM> may control the second power source <NUM> to apply the power to the amplifier <NUM> for performing signal processing of the optical signal received from the external device <NUM> when it is determined that the optical signal is received from the external device <NUM>.

As such, the first photodiode <NUM> may serve as a signal detect in outputting the electric signal to the processor <NUM> to render the processor <NUM> to detect the optical signal received from the external device <NUM>.

When the driving voltage by the second power source <NUM> is applied to the amplifier <NUM>, the amplifier <NUM> may amplify the electric signal output from the second photodiode <NUM> and output the amplified electric signal to the processor <NUM>. Thus, a current signal may be converted into a voltage signal and the voltage signal may be transmitted to the processor <NUM> with an amplitude being amplified.

Accordingly, the processor <NUM> may perform a function of the electronic device <NUM> by using the amplified electronic signal.

<FIG> is a view provided to explain a method for receiving, transmitting and processing an optical signal according to an exemplary embodiment.

The external device <NUM> may transmit the optical signal to the electronic device <NUM> through the optical cable.

To this end, the external device <NUM> may include a first laser diode <NUM>, a second laser diode <NUM>, a Laser Diode Driver (LDD) <NUM> and a Micro Controller Unit (MCU) <NUM>. The first and second laser diodes <NUM> and <NUM> may be embodied as Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL).

First, the external device <NUM> may receive an electric signal from another external device (not shown) connected thereto.

In addition, when detecting an electric signal, the MCU <NUM> may control a power source <NUM> connected to the first laser diode <NUM> and a laser diode driver <NUM> and supply power to the first laser diode <NUM> and the laser diode driver <NUM>. Accordingly, the first laser diode <NUM> may convert the received electric signal into an optical signal and transmit the optical signal to the electronic device <NUM> through an optical cable, and the laser diode driver <NUM> may control the second laser diode <NUM>. Specifically, the laser diode driver <NUM> may control the second laser diode <NUM> to convert the received electric signal into the optical signal. Accordingly, the second laser diode <NUM> may convert an electric signal into an optical signal and transmit the optical signal to the electronic device <NUM> through an optical cable.

Meanwhile, the first and second laser diodes <NUM> and <NUM>, the laser diode driver <NUM> and the MCU <NUM> may transmit and receive signals by using Inter Integrated Circuit (12C) communication. The 12C communication may refer to communication where a Serial Clock (SCL) signal is used as a synchronization signal and data is exchanged through Serial Data (SDA).

The electronic device <NUM> may convert an optical signal received through an optical cable into an electric signal and process the electric signal.

To this end, as described above, the electronic device <NUM> may include the first photodiode <NUM>, the second photodiode <NUM>, the amplifier <NUM> and the processor <NUM>. The first photodiode <NUM> may be connected to the first power source <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> and supplied with a driving voltage. Accordingly, by using the applied voltage, the first photodiode <NUM> may receive an optical signal through an optical cable, convert the optical signal into an electric signal, and transmit the electric signal to the processor <NUM>.

Meanwhile, since the amplifier <NUM> is not supplied with the driving voltage by the second power source <NUM>, the amplifier <NUM> may not be driven. Accordingly, the electric signal converted by the second photodiode <NUM> may not pass through the amplifier <NUM>.

When the electric signal is transmitted from the first photodiode <NUM> to the processor <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may detect an electric signal, control the second power source <NUM> connected to the amplifier <NUM> accordingly, and control to apply a driving voltage to the amplifier <NUM>.

In addition, when the driving voltage by the second power source <NUM> is applied to the amplifier <NUM> and the amplifier <NUM> is driven accordingly, the electric signal output from the second photodiode <NUM> may flow through the amplifier <NUM>. Accordingly, the processor <NUM> may receive the electric signal amplified by passing through the amplifier <NUM> from the amplifier <NUM>.

As such, when an electric signal is not detected by the first photodiode <NUM>, the second power source <NUM> provided to the amplifier <NUM> may be turned off, thereby reducing redundant power consumption in a standby mode of the electronic device <NUM>.

The first and second photodiodes <NUM> and <NUM>, the amplifier <NUM> and the processor <NUM> may transmit and receive signals by using the PCB pattern as described above.

In addition, above-described <FIG> illustrates that the electronic device <NUM> may include the first power source <NUM> and the second power source <NUM> as additional components, but it is for convenience of explanation. It should be understood that power may be supplied to the first photodiode <NUM> and the amplifier <NUM> through a single power source.

<FIG> is a block diagram provided to explain configuration of an electronic device when a signal conversion unit includes a single photodiode according to an embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> includes a photodiode <NUM>', an amplifier <NUM>' and a processor <NUM>'.

The photodiode <NUM>' includes a plurality of pins.

Specifically, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the photodiode <NUM>' includes a first pin <NUM>' connected to the processor <NUM>', a second pin <NUM>' connected to the amplifier <NUM>' and a third pint <NUM>' connected to a first power source <NUM>'. The first power source <NUM>' may be disposed in the electronic device <NUM>, connected to the third pin <NUM>' of the photodiode <NUM>', and supply a driving voltage to the photodiode <NUM>'. Specifically, the first power source <NUM>' supplies a driving voltage required for converting an optical signal which the third pin <NUM>' of the photodiode <NUM>' receives from the external device <NUM> into an electric signal and transmitting the converted electric signal to the amplifier <NUM>' and the processor <NUM>'.

First, the photodiode <NUM>' converts the optical signal received from the external device <NUM> into an electric signal. The description how an optical signal is converted into an electric signal by the photodiode <NUM>' will be omitted to avoid repetition.

In addition, the photodiode <NUM>' transmits the converted electric signal from the first pin <NUM>' to the processor <NUM>'. For this, the first pin <NUM>' of the photodiode <NUM>' is connected to the processor <NUM>' on the PCB through the PCB pattern.

In addition, the photodiode <NUM>', in response to the amplifier <NUM>' operating, transmits the converted electric signal from the second pin <NUM>' to the amplifier <NUM>'. For this, the second pin <NUM>' of the photodiode <NUM>' is connected to the amplifier <NUM>' on the PCB through the PCB pattern.

Meanwhile, the amplifier <NUM>' may be connected to a second power source <NUM>'. The second power source <NUM>' may be disposed in the electronic device <NUM>, connected to the amplifier <NUM>' and supply a voltage required for driving the amplifier <NUM>'. Accordingly, when a driving voltage is provided from the second power source <NUM>' to the amplifier <NUM>', the amplifier <NUM>' may be driven and the converted electric signal may be transmitted from the second pin <NUM>' to the amplifier <NUM>'.

In addition, the third pin <NUM>' of the photodiode <NUM>' may be connected to the first power source <NUM>' of the electronic device <NUM>. Accordingly, the photodiode <NUM>' may maintain a standby state for receiving the optical signal transmitted from the external device <NUM>, in response to an optical signal being received, convert the optical signal into an electric signal and transmit electric signals to the processor <NUM>' and the amplifier <NUM>'.

As such, the photodiode <NUM>' may have a customized PD structure where the first pin <NUM>' and the second pin <NUM>' which operate as output pins for transmitting the electric signals to the processor <NUM>' and the amplifier <NUM>', and a third pin connected to the fist power source <NUM>' for receiving a driving voltage are included.

Accordingly, the optical signal received from the external device <NUM> is be converted into an electric signal and the electric signal may be detected and processed only with a single photodiode <NUM>', thereby reducing a size of the PCB and minimizing circuit configuration.

The amplifier <NUM>' is be connected to the second pin <NUM>' of the photodiode <NUM>' and in response to an electric signal being received from the second pin <NUM>' of the photodiode <NUM>', amplify the received electric signal.

To this end, the amplifier <NUM>' may be embodied as a Trans-Impedance Amplifier (TIA). The detailed description of the trans-impedance amplifier will be omitted to avoid repetition.

The processor <NUM>' receives an electric signal from the photodiode <NUM>'.

Specifically, the photodiode <NUM>', in response to the optical signal being received from the external device <NUM>, converts the optical signal into an electric signal and output the converted electric signal from the first pin <NUM>' to the processor <NUM>'. Accordingly, the processor <NUM>' receives an electric signal from the first pin <NUM>' of the photodiode <NUM>'.

A driving voltage by the first power source <NUM>' may not be supplied to the amplifier <NUM>'. That is, since the amplifier <NUM>' is not being driven, the amplifier <NUM>' may not amplify the electric signal output from the second pin <NUM>' of the photodiode <NUM>' and output the electric signal to the processor <NUM>'.

When the processor <NUM>' receives an electric signal, the processor <NUM>' may control the first power source <NUM>' of the electric device <NUM> to supply power to the amplifier <NUM>'.

Specifically, the processor <NUM>', in response to the electric signal being received from the first pin <NUM>' of the photodiode <NUM>', may determine that the optical signal is received from the external device <NUM>. Accordingly, the processor <NUM>', in response to the optical signal being received from the external device <NUM>, may control the first power source <NUM>' to apply power to the amplifier <NUM>' for performing signal processing of the optical signal received from the external device <NUM>.

As such, the first pin <NUM>' of the photodiode <NUM>' may serve as a signal detect pin in outputting an electric signal to the processor <NUM>' to render the processor <NUM>' to detect the optical signal received from the external device <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the driving voltage by the first power source <NUM>' is applied to the amplifier <NUM>', the amplifier <NUM>' may amplify the electric signal output from the second pin <NUM>' of the photodiode <NUM>' and output the amplified electric signal to the processor <NUM>'. Thus, a current signal may be converted into a voltage signal and the voltage signal may be transmitted to the processor <NUM>' with an amplitude being amplified.

As such, in a state where an electric signal is not received from the first pin <NUM>' and an electric signal is not detected by the processor <NUM>', the second power source <NUM>' provided to the amplifier <NUM>' may be turned off, thereby reducing redundant power consumption in a standby mode of the electronic device <NUM>.

Accordingly, the processor <NUM>' may perform a function of the electronic device <NUM> by using the amplified electric signal.

<FIG> is a view provided to explain a method for transmitting, receiving and processing an optical signal according to an exemplary embodiment.

The external device <NUM> may transmit an optical signal to the electric device <NUM> through an optical cable.

To this end, the external device <NUM> may include a laser diode <NUM> ', a Laser Diode Driver (LDD) <NUM>' and a Micro Controller Unit (MCU) <NUM>'.

Specifically, the external device <NUM> may receive an electric signal from another external device (not shown) connected thereto.

In addition, when detecting an electric signal, the MCU <NUM>' may provide a driving voltage to the laser diode driver <NUM>' by controlling a power source <NUM>' connected to the laser diode driver <NUM>'. In addition, when a driving voltage is applied to the laser diode driver <NUM>', the laser diode driver <NUM>' may control the laser diode <NUM>', for example, Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) <NUM>'. Specifically, the laser diode driver <NUM>' may control the VCSEL <NUM>' for converting the received electric signal into an optical signal. Accordingly, the VCSEL <NUM>' may convert an electric signal into an optical signal and transmit the optical signal to the electric device <NUM> through an optical cable.

Meanwhile, the laser diode <NUM>', the laser diode driver <NUM>' and the MCU <NUM> ' may transmit and receive signals by using the Inter Integrated Circuit (I2C) communication. The I2C communication may refer to communication where a Serial Clock (SCL) signal is used as a synchronization signal and data is exchanged through Serial Data (SDA).

The electronic device <NUM> may convert the optical signal received through the optical cable into an electric signal and process the electric signal.

To this end, as described above, the electronic device <NUM> includes the photodiode <NUM>', the amplifier <NUM>' and the processor <NUM>'. The photodiode <NUM>' is connected to the first power source <NUM>' of the electronic device <NUM> and receive a driving voltage. Accordingly, the photodiode <NUM>' uses the applied voltage, receives an optical signal through an optical cable, converts the optical signal into an electric signal, and transmits the electric signal from the first pin <NUM>' to the processor <NUM>'.

Meanwhile, since a driving voltage by the second power <NUM>' is not supplied to the amplifier <NUM>', the amplifier <NUM>' may not be driven. Accordingly, the electric signal converted by the photodiode <NUM>' may not pass through the amplifier <NUM>' through the second pin <NUM>' of the photodiode <NUM>'.

When an electric signal is transmitted from the first pin <NUM>' of the photodiode <NUM>' to the processor <NUM>', the processor <NUM>' may detect the electric signal, control the second power source <NUM>' connected to the amplifier <NUM>' accordingly and control to apply a driving voltage to the amplifier <NUM>'.

In addition, when a driving voltage by the second power source <NUM>' is applied to the amplifier <NUM>' and the amplifier <NUM>' is driven, the electric signal output to the second pin <NUM>' of the photodiode <NUM>' may flow through the amplifier <NUM>'. Accordingly, the processor <NUM>' may receive the electric signal amplified by flowing through the amplifier <NUM>' from the amplifier <NUM>'.

As described above, the photodiode <NUM>', the amplifier <NUM>' and the processor <NUM>' may transmit and receive signals by using the PCB pattern.

<FIG> illustrates that the electronic device <NUM> includes the first power source <NUM>' and the second power source <NUM>' as additional components, but it is the convenience of explanation. It should be understood that power may be supplied to the photodiode <NUM>' and the amplifier <NUM>' through a single power source.

<FIG> is a detailed block diagram illustrating configuration of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment may include a display unit <NUM>, interface <NUM>, a communication unit <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, a storage unit <NUM>, an image processing unit <NUM> and an audio processing unit <NUM>.

The display unit <NUM> may display various screens. Examples of the screens may include playback screens of various contents such images, videos, texts, music, etc., application execution screens including various contents, web browser screens, Graphic User Interface (GUI) screens, and the like.

In such a case, the display unit <NUM> may be embodied with Liquid Crystal Display Panel (LCD), Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEC), etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the display unit <NUM> may be embodied with a flexible display, a transparent display, etc..

The interface <NUM> may receive various user commands. The interface <NUM> may be embodied as various forms according to an embodiment example of the electronic device <NUM>. When the electronic device <NUM> is embodied as a digital TV, the interface <NUM> may be embodied as a remote controller receiver which receives a remote controller signal, a camera for detecting a user motion, a microphone for receiving a user voice, etc. In addition, when the electronic device <NUM> is embodied as a touch based-portable terminal, the interface <NUM> may be embodied as a touch screen which forms a mutual layer structure with a touch pad. In such a case, the interface <NUM> may be used as the display unit <NUM>.

Particularly, the interface <NUM> may receive the optical signal transmitted from the external device <NUM>.

Specifically, the external device <NUM> may convert the electric signal received from another external device into an optical signal and transmit the optical signal to the electronic device <NUM> when connected to another external device. In addition, the interface <NUM> may receive the optical signal transmitted from the external device <NUM> and it has been described that the interface <NUM> may be embodied as a photodiode.

The communication unit <NUM> may communicate with the external device <NUM> according to various types of communication methods. The communication unit <NUM> may include various communication chips such as a Wi-Fi chip, a Bluetooth chip, a wireless communication chip, an NFC chip, etc..

The processor <NUM> may control overall operations of the electronic device <NUM> by using various programs stored in the storage unit <NUM>.

Specifically, the processor <NUM> may include a RAM <NUM>, a ROM <NUM>, a graphic processing unit <NUM>, a main CPU <NUM>, first to nth interfaces <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-n, and a bus <NUM>.

The RAM <NUM>, the ROM <NUM>, the graphic processing unit <NUM>, the main CPU <NUM>, the first to nth interfaces <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-n may be connected to one another through the bus <NUM>.

The first to nth interfaces <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-n may be connected to various constituents described above.

The main CPU <NUM> may access the storage unit <NUM> and perform booting by using O/ S stored in the storage unit <NUM>. In addition, the main CPU <NUM> may perform various operations by using various programs, contents, data, etc. stored in the storage unit <NUM>.

A command set for system botting, etc. may be stored in the ROM <NUM>. When a turn-on command is input and power is supplied, the main CPU <NUM> may copy the O/S stored in the storage unit <NUM> to the RAM <NUM> according to a command stored in the ROM <NUM>, execute the O/S and boots the system.

The graphic processing unit <NUM> may generate a screen including various objects such as icons, images, texts, etc. by using a calculation unit (not shown) and a rendering unit (not shown). The calculation unit (not shown) may calculate an attribute value such as a coordinate value, a shape, a size, a color, etc. of each object to be displayed according to a layout of the screen based on the received control command. The rending unit (not shown) may generate a screen with various layouts including objects based on attribute values calculated by the calculation unit (not shown). The screen generated by the rendering unit (not shown) may be displayed in a display area of the display unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flow chart provided to explain a process of receiving a signal from an external device and processing the signal by an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment.

First, a signal conversion unit may convert an optical signal received from an external device into an electric signal and output the electric signal (S910). The signal conversion unit may include a first photodiode and a second photodiode or include a signal photodiode as described above. In addition, when the electric signal is output from the signal conversion unit, power is supplied to an amplifier (S920). When the power is supplied to the amplifier, the amplifier may receive the electric signal from the signal conversion unit, amplify the received electric signal and output the amplified electric signal (S930).

Meanwhile, a non-transitory computer readable medium may be provided where a program for sequentially performing receiving an optical signal and processing the received optical signal according to the present invention is stored.

The non-transitory computer readable recording medium may not store data for a short period of time such as a register, a cache, a memory, and the like, but may store data semi-permanently and be capable of being read by a device. Specifically, a program related to receiving an optical signal and processing the received optical signal described above may be stored and provided in the non-transitory computer readable medium such as a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a hard disk, a Blu-ray disk, a universal serial bus (USB), a memory card, a ROM, etc..

While the present disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>'), comprising:
an amplifier (<NUM>');
a signal conversion unit (<NUM>') including a single photodiode and first (<NUM>'), second (<NUM>') and third pins (<NUM>'), wherein the first and second pins are electrically connected to each other and to one electrode of the single photodiode, wherein the third pin (<NUM>') is connected to another electrode of the single photodiode and to a power source (<NUM>') to receive a driving voltage, and wherein the single photodiode is configured to, in response to being irradiated with light of an optical signal from an external device, convert the optical signal into an electric signal which is output at the first pin or at the second pin; and
a processor (<NUM>') configured to receive the electric signal output from the signal conversion unit and to control to supply power to the amplifier (<NUM>') in response to the electric signal being received from the signal conversion unit,
wherein the amplifier (<NUM>'), in response to the power being supplied to the amplifier (<NUM>'), is configured to receive the electric signal output from the signal conversion unit, amplify the received electric signal and output the amplified electric signal to the processor (<NUM>'),
wherein the first pin (<NUM>') is connected to the processor (<NUM>'), and
wherein the second pin (<NUM>') is connected to the amplifier (<NUM>').