Patent ID: 12250430

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Certain exemplary embodiments are described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following description, analogous drawing reference numerals are used for analogous elements, even in different drawings. The matters defined in the description, such as detailed construction and elements, are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments. However, exemplary embodiments can be practiced without those specifically defined matters. Also, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the application with unnecessary detail.

Referring toFIG.1, an exemplary system includes a media processing apparatus100and a plurality of terminal devices200-1,200-2, . . . ,200-n.

The terminal devices200-1,200-2, . . . ,200-ninFIG.1may be various kinds of devices which may output video or audio, such as television, PC, monitor, electronic frame, notebook computer, audio player, or speaker.

The media processing apparatus100represents an apparatus which may output a media signal from various sources. Specifically, the media processing apparatus100may be a DVD player, a Blu-ray disk player, a VCR, an audio player, or an MP3 player which reads out data from various types of storage media and reproduces a media signal, or a set-top box which receives and processes a broadcast signal.

The media signal means a signal which includes at least one of a video signal and an audio signal, such as a television broadcast signal, a DVD reproduction signal, a Blu-ray disk reproduction signal, an audio signal, a VCR reproduction signal, and photo image data.

A communication interface between each of the plurality of terminal devices200-1,200-2, . . . ,200-nand the media processing apparatus100is an interface including a video channel, an audio channel, and a data channel.

The video channel and the audio channel are interfaces to transmit/receive a video signal and an audio signal respectively, and the data channel is an interface to transmit/receive various data such as a control signal, a synchronization signal, USB data and an Ethernet signal.

Specifically, the communication interface between each of the plurality of terminal devices200-1,200-2, . . . ,200-nand the media processing apparatus100may be realized as an S-link interface.

The S-link interface is an interface which extends the function of High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI). The HDMI is a standard to make it more convenient to use AV by transmitting a video/audio signal together with a control signal while maintaining compatibility with a DVI. The S-link interface has characteristics similar to those of the HDMI.

Each of the first terminal device200-1and the second terminal device200-2is connected to the media processing apparatus100, and thus the user of the first terminal device200-1and the second terminal device200-2may control the operation of the medial processing apparatus100to receive a media signal. In this case, the user who starts using the device first or who has priority may have the control rights. The user who does not have the control rights may be allowed only to output a media signal provided by the media processing apparatus100or may not use the media processing apparatus100at all.

As an example, the user of the first terminal device200-1may input a control signal for the media processing apparatus100. If the media processing apparatus100is a DVD player, the user may input a reproduction command by selecting a reproduction button.

In this case, the user using the first terminal device200-1and the media processing apparatus100may input a control signal by manipulating a key provided on each of the main body of the first terminal device200-1or the media processing apparatus100or a remote controller.

If the first terminal device200-1, not the media processing apparatus100, is manipulated by a remote controller or a key formed on the main body of the first terminal device, the first terminal device200-1transmits the control signal input through a data channel connected to the media processing apparatus100. In this case, the control signal itself may be forwarded, or the control signal may be converted into a control command in a format corresponding to the media processing apparatus100and then transmitted. Such a control command will be regarded as a control command in the description below.

The media processing apparatus100performs operation corresponding to the received control command, and if a media signal is generated as a result, transmits the generated media signal to the first terminal device200-1using at least one of a video channel and an audio channel. Specifically, if the media signal is a moving image, both a video channel and an audio channel may be used, if the media signal is composed of an audio signal, only an audio channel may be used, and if the media signal is composed of a video signal, such as a photo to be displayed on an electronic frame, only a video channel may be used.

Generally, the terminal device which transmits a control signal to use the media processing apparatus100among the plurality of terminal devices200-1,200-2, . . . ,200-nhas control rights, but this is not always the case.

If a user sets priority of the plurality of terminal devices200-1,200-2, . . . ,200-nin advance, the control rights may be given to the terminal devices based on the set priority. The terminal device having a lower priority may have the controlling power only when the terminal device having a higher priority is turned off or its connection with the media processing apparatus is cut off.

If the first terminal device200-1has the control rights, and another terminal device, for example, the second terminal device200-2receives a control signal from a user, the second terminal device200-2transmits a control command to the media processing apparatus100.

Subsequently, the media processing apparatus100recognizes the existence of the first terminal device200-1which is in use, and transmits an alarm message to the first terminal device200-1. The alarm message may be transmitted via a data channel, a video channel or an audio channel according to an exemplary embodiment.

If the media processing apparatus100is transmitting a video signal to the first terminal device200-1, the media processing apparatus100renders the alarm message and multiplexes the rendered image, that is, the alarm message, with the video signal. Subsequently, the media processing apparatus100transmits the video signal including the alarm message to the first terminal device200-1. The first terminal device200-1may provide the alarm message by performing scaling on the video signal transmitted from the media processing apparatus100and outputting it on the screen. The alarm message may include a message to inform that there is an attempt by another user to use the media processing apparatus100, a message to ask whether or not to allow another user to view a media signal, and a message to ask whether or not to transfer control rights to another user. The message may be provided as a text in various fonts or an image.

The media processing apparatus100may generate an alarm message as an audio message, multiplex it with an audio signal, and provides it to the first terminal device200-1via an audio channel. Such an alarm message may be output through a speaker.

In addition, the media processing apparatus100may provide an alarm message to the first terminal device200-1via a data channel. That is, the media processing apparatus100may provide a command to display the alarm message or data regarding the alarm message to the first terminal apparatus200-1. Accordingly, the first terminal device200-1may convert the alarm message into an On Screen Display (OSD), a rendering image, or an audio message and output it.

The media processing apparatus100may include information regarding the second terminal device200-2in an alarming message. Accordingly, the first terminal device200-1may also be provided with information regarding which device attempts to use the media processing apparatus100.

FIG.2is a view illustrating an example of a message displayed on the first terminal device200-1according to an exemplary embodiment. InFIG.2, the first terminal device200-1and the second terminal device200-2are televisions, and the media processing apparatus100is a Blu-ray Disk Player (BDP). As illustrated inFIG.2, the second terminal device200-2may inform the first terminal device200-1, that is, TV1, that it attempts to access the media processing apparatus, that is, the BDP, and display an alarm message10on the first terminal device200-1which asks whether to transfer control rights to the second terminal device200-2.

The user of the first terminal device200-1may select ‘Yes’ or ‘NO’ by manipulating a remote controller or a key formed on the main body. If the user selects ‘Yes’, a message to allow the transfer of the control rights is generated and transmitted to the media processing apparatus100. Accordingly, the media processing apparatus100grants the second terminal device200-2the control rights. Once the control rights are transferred, the media processing apparatus100performs operation according to a control signal transmitted from the second terminal device200-2.

If the user does not select ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, or selects ‘No’, the first terminal device200-1may perceive it as a refusal to transfer the control rights and transmit a message informing of the refusal of the transfer of the control rights to the media processing apparatus100. If the message informing the refusal of the transfer of the control rights is received or no message is received for a predetermined period of time after the alarm message is transmitted to the first terminal device200-1, the media processing apparatus100may perceive it as a refusal to transfer the control rights and transmit an error message to the second terminal device200-2. The error message may include information that the second terminal device200-2does not have the control rights and information about which terminal currently possesses the control rights. Such an error message may be transmitted to the second terminal device200-2via a data channel connected to the second terminal device200-2. The second terminal device200-2may transmit the received error message in a form of a video message or an audio message and output it.

FIG.2illustrates an alarm message which asks whether to transfer the control rights according to an exemplary embodiment, but the media processing apparatus100may output an alarm message which asks whether to continue to provide a media signal to the first terminal device200-1. If a selection signal for providing the media signal is received from a user using the first terminal device200-1, the media processing apparatus100may provide the same signal as the one provided to the first terminal device200-1to the second terminal device200-2. However, if the first terminal device200-1sends no response or expresses refusal to use the media processing apparatus100, no signal may be transmitted to the second terminal device200-2.

In another exemplary embodiment, a media signal may be provided to the second terminal device200-2without permission from the first terminal device200-1. However, as long as the first terminal device200-1possesses the control rights, the second terminal device200-2may not control the operation of the media processing apparatus100.

The media processing apparatus100may transfer control rights to the second terminal device200-2, if there is an event which cancels the control rights of the first terminal device200-1.

Such an event may be set in various occasions. For example, the media processing apparatus100transfers control rights to the second terminal device200-2if one of the following events occurs: the first event in which the first terminal device200-1is turned off, the second event in which the connection between the first terminal device200-1and the media processing apparatus100is cut off, and the third event in which the first terminal device200-1terminates the use of the media processing apparatus.

The media processing apparatus100may determine whether the first event or the second event occurs by periodically monitoring the state of the first terminal device200-1. That is, the media processing apparatus100may periodically transmit a query to the first terminal device200-1through a data channel and determine that the first event or the second event occurs if no corresponding acknowledgement is received.

The media processing apparatus100may determine whether or not the third event occurs by determining whether a certain kind of control signal is received from the first terminal device200-1. That is, if a command to stop reproducing a media signal or a command to turn off the media processing apparatus100is received, it is determined that the media processing apparatus100will no longer be in use, and the control rights may be transferred to the second terminal device200-2.

In the above exemplary description, control rights transfer only between the first terminal device200-1and the second terminal device200-2and the media processing apparatus100is explained. However, if there are other terminal devices, control rights may be transferred in an analogous way to other terminal devices. If more than three terminal devices transmit a control signal to the media processing apparatus100, the media processing apparatus100may grant priority based on the order of access, that is, the order of transmitting the control signal. Accordingly, if the first terminal device200-1loses its control rights, the media processing apparatus100transfers the control rights to the terminal device having the next priority, and so on.

If more than two subsequent terminal devices attempt to access the media processing apparatus100, the media processing apparatus100may transmit an alarm message including information on each terminal device to the first terminal device200-1. Accordingly, the first terminal device200-1may select a terminal which will receive control rights from among a plurality of terminal devices. The information regarding the selected terminal device may be transmitted to the media processing apparatus100via a data channel, and the media processing apparatus100may transfer control rights to the terminal device according to the received information.

On the other hand, if there is a terminal device which operates in a master mode from among a plurality of terminal devices200-1,200-2, . . . ,200-n, the terminal device may be set to have control rights. The master mode represents a mode where a password or an ID of a user or an administrator may be set and registered, and thus the master mode has absolute authority regardless of an access order. If there is a terminal device which operates in the master mode, other terminal devices may user the media processing apparatus only under the control of the terminal mode in the master mode.

For instance, suppose that the second terminal device200-2operates in the master mode in the system illustrated inFIG.1. In this case, even if the first terminal device200-1has control rights, the control rights are immediately transferred to the second terminal device200-2if the second terminal device200-2inputs a certain selection signal, or simply, the second terminal device200-2is turned on. Whether to transfer the control rights is determined by the media processing apparatus100. Once authentication information necessary to acknowledge a terminal device as the terminal device in the master mode is received from the second terminal device200-2, the media processing apparatus100checks whether the received authentication information is consistent with pre-registered authentication information. Upon confirming that the received authentication information is consistent with the pre-registered authentication information, the second terminal device200-2is recognized as the terminal device in the master mode, and other terminal devices operate only according to the control signal input by the second terminal device200-2. In this case, a message informing of the appearance of the terminal device which operates in the master mode may be provided to other terminal devices. The authentication information includes an ID or a password pre-registered by a user, or any information which may identify the user.

In order to support the master mode, the media processing apparatus100may store authentication information and user interface (UI) information for setting the master mode. Every time that a control signal is transmitted from each terminal device, the media processing apparatus100may ask a user whether or not to enter the master mode by providing UI information inquiring whether or not to set a master mode to the terminal device which transmits the control signal.

FIG.3is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the media processing apparatus100according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG.3, the media processing apparatus100comprises an interface unit110, a processor120, a control unit130, and a storage unit140.FIG.3illustrates only the minimum number of elements necessary to explain the technical feature of an exemplary embodiment, and thus other elements may be further included depending on the apparatus type of the media processing apparatus100.

For instance, if the media processing apparatus100is realized as a broadcast reception apparatus such as a set-top box, the media processing apparatus100may further include a turner, demodulator, and equalizer. The control unit130may control the turner to select a broadcast signal in a desired frequency bandwidth. The selected broadcast signal may be demodulated and equalized by the demodulator and the equalizer respectively, and then processed to become a media signal in a format corresponding to each terminal device by the processor120.

Alternatively, if the media processing apparatus is realized as a media reproducing apparatus which reproduces data stored in a storage medium such as a DVD player, Blu-ray disk player, or a VCR, the media processing apparatus100may further comprise a mounting unit which mounts the storage medium and a reader which reads out data recorded in the mounted storage medium. The data may be converted to a media signal in a format corresponding to each terminal device.

The operation and configuration of the above exemplary elements have been explained above, and thus no further description will be provided.

The interface unit110is connected to each terminal device200-1,200-2, . . . ,200-n(depicted inFIG.1) via a communication interface including a video channel, an audio channel, and a data channel.

The processor120performs operation according to a control signal received from the terminal device having control rights from among a plurality of terminal devices. Specifically, the processor may perform signal conversion under the control of the control unit130which receives a control signal. For instance, if a media reproduction signal is input, the media signal is generated by detecting data from an external broadcast station or a connected storage medium.

The control unit130transfers control rights according to the order of access attempts by each terminal device. That is, if there is an access attempt from at least one of the second terminal device from among a plurality of terminal devices, the first terminal device, which currently has the control rights, is notified of the access attempt. Such notification may be delivered using various kinds of alarm message as explained above. On the other hand, a message informing that the first terminal device has the control rights may be transmitted to the second terminal device that requests access.

Subsequently, if a message allowing control rights transfer is received from the first terminal device, the control unit130transfers the control rights to the second terminal device. That is, operation is then performed according to the control signal input from the second terminal device.

However, if a message refusing to transfer control rights is received from the first terminal device, or no message is received from the first terminal device for a predetermined period of time, the control unit130does not transfer control rights to the second terminal device. In this case, the control unit130may transmit an error message to the second terminal device.

If the first terminal device does not transfer control rights, the control unit130may periodically monitor whether an event for forfeiting the control rights of the first terminal device occurs. If power is turned off or connection is cut off while the first terminal device does not transfer the control rights, or a specific command to terminate control is transmitted from the first terminal device, the control unit130transfers the control rights to the second terminal device. In this case, a message informing that the control rights have been transferred to the second terminal device may be transmitted to the second terminal device so that a user knows that the media processing apparatus100is now controllable by the second terminal device.

If there is an access attempt from the third terminal device which is set to be in a master mode, or the second terminal device which has attempted to access but was denied, is set to be in the master mode, the control rights are immediately transferred to the third terminal device or the second terminal device that is set to be in the master mode. In this case, a message informing that the control rights are no longer available may be transmitted to the first terminal device.

The storage unit140may store various kinds of data. Specifically, the storage unit140may store rendering data to visualize various messages, authentication information pre-registered to set a master mode, and information regarding priority given to each terminal device.FIG.3illustrates only one storage unit140, but the number, the type, and the location of the storage unit140may vary according to an exemplary embodiment.

If a plurality of terminal devices attempt to access the media processing apparatus100, the control unit130may set priority of the terminal devices based on the order of access attempts and store data regarding the priority in the storage unit140. Accordingly, if an event where the first terminal device loses the control rights occurs, the control rights are transferred to the next terminal device based on the priority stored in the storage unit140.

FIG.4is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a terminal device according to an exemplary embodiment. Each terminal device200-1,200-2, . . . ,200-nillustrated in the system ofFIG.1may have an analogous configuration as that of the exemplary terminal device200illustrated inFIG.4.

Referring toFIG.4, the terminal device200comprises an interface unit210, a signal processing unit220, an output unit230, a control unit240, and an input unit250.

The interface unit210may be connected to the interface unit110of the media processing apparatus110(shown inFIG.3) via a communication interface including a video channel, an audio channel, and a data channel.

The signal processing unit220converts the media signal transmitted through the interface unit210into an appropriate output format, and the output unit230outputs the converted data on a screen or through a speaker. Accordingly, a user may view various types of media signals.

The control unit240controls the operation of each element in the terminal device200, and the input unit250receives a selection signal input from a user and transmits the signal to the control unit240.

The user of the terminal device200may input a control signal for the media processing apparatus100by manipulating a remote controller or a key formed on the main body of the terminal device200.

The input unit250transmits the input control signal to the control unit240.

The control unit240reconfigures the received control signal to a control signal in a format corresponding to the media processing apparatus100and then transmits the reconfigured signal to the interface unit210.

Accordingly, control rights of the terminal device200may be granted for the first time by the media processing apparatus100or may be transferred. If an alarm message or an error message is transmitted from the media processing apparatus100, the control unit240controls the signal processing unit220and the output unit230to output the transmitted message. In this case, if the media processing apparatus100multiplexes the message with a video signal or an audio signal itself, the message may be output while the received media signal is processed. On the other hand, if the media processing apparatus100transmits the message data through a data channel, the signal processing unit220may output the data by rendering the message data or converting the data into an audio message.

FIG.5is a flowchart provided to explain a method for controlling a media processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring toFIG.5, if there is the first terminal device having control rights (S510: Y), and a control signal is received from the first terminal device (S520: Y), operation is performed according to the control signal (S530). In this case, the first terminal device having the control rights refers to a terminal device which operates in a master mode, or a terminal device which has transmitted a control signal.

If there is an access attempt from another terminal device (S540), the first terminal device is notified (S550), and it is determined whether the first terminal device gives permission to transfer control rights to the second terminal device (S560). If the permission by the first terminal device is confirmed, the control rights are transferred to another terminal device (S570), and operation is performed according to the control signal from another terminal device from that time on.

If there is no first terminal device having control rights, the control rights are given to the terminal device who attempts to access the apparatus for the first time (S580, S590).

Accordingly, control rights may be granted and shared in a reasonable manner.

Although not illustrated inFIG.5in detail, the third terminal device which operates in a master mode may appear. In this case, the third terminal device has control rights regardless of the permission by the first terminal device. That is, if a control signal is transmitted from the third terminal device which is preset to be in a master mode, or the second terminal device is set to be in a master mode, the media processing apparatus100operates according to the control signal from the third or the second terminal device instead of the first terminal device. In this case, a message informing of the appearance of the terminal device which operates in the master mode, may be provided to the first terminal device.

FIG.6is a flowchart explaining a method for transferring control rights in the media processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG.6, if there is an access attempt from a terminal device (S610), it is determined whether there is an event for depriving control rights from the terminal device which currently has the control rights (S620). Such an event includes the case in which the first terminal device having the control rights agrees to transfer the control rights to another terminal device as illustrated for example inFIG.5. The event also includes turning the power off, cutting the connection off, and exiting the apparatus.

Subsequently, if it is determined that event for depriving control rights from the terminal device which currently has the control rights occurs, the control rights are transferred to the terminal device which newly attempts to access the apparatus (S630). In this case, a message informing the transfer of the control rights to, for example, the second terminal device200-2, may be transmitted to all terminal devices connected to the media processing apparatus100.

If the above event does not occur, the media processing apparatus100transmits an error message to the terminal device which attempts to access the apparatus (S640). In this case, the error message may include various messages such as requesting the device to be on a standby until the first terminal device ends the use of the apparatus.

According to the above various exemplary embodiments, control rights may be transferred and shared in a reasonable manner among a plurality of terminal devices.

Although a few exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.