Patent ID: 12198692

BEST MODE

Hereinafter, embodiments relating to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The suffixes “module” and “unit” for components used in the description below are assigned or mixed in consideration of easiness in writing the specification and do not have distinctive meanings or roles by themselves.

A display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, for example, as an artificial display device that adds a computer supporting function to a broadcast receiving function, can have an easy-to-use interface such as a writing input device, a touch screen, or a spatial remote control device as an Internet function is added while fulfilling the broadcast receiving function. Then, with the support of a wired or wireless Internet function, it is possible to perform an e-mail, web browsing, banking, or game function in access to Internet and computers. In order to perform such various functions, standardized general purpose OS can be used.

Accordingly, since various applications are freely added or deleted on a general purpose OS kernel, a display device described herein, for example, can perform various user-friendly functions. The display device, in more detail, can be a network TV, Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HBBTV), smart TV, light-emitting diode (LED) TV, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) TV, and so on and in some cases, can be applied to a smartphone.

FIG.1is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.1, a display device100can include a broadcast reception unit130, an external device interface unit135, a storage unit140, a user interface unit150, a control unit170, a wireless communication unit173, a display unit180, an audio output unit185, and a power supply unit190.

The broadcast reception unit130can include a tuner131, a demodulation unit132, and a network interface unit133.

The tuner131can select a specific broadcast channel according to a channel selection command. The tuner131can receive broadcast signals for the selected specific broadcast channel.

The demodulation unit132can divide the received broadcast signals into video signals, audio signals, and broadcast program-related data signals, and can restore the divided video signals, audio signals, and data signals into the form capable of being output.

The external device interface unit135can receive an application or an application list in an adjacent external device, and can transmit the application or the application list to the control unit170or the storage unit140.

The external device interface unit135can provide a connection path between the display device100and the external device. The external device interface unit135can receive at least one an image or audio output from the external device that is wirelessly or wiredly connected to the display device100, and can transmit the image and/or the audio to the control unit170. The external device interface unit135can include a plurality of external input terminals. The plurality of external input terminals can include an RGB terminal, at least one High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) terminal, and a component terminal.

An image signal of the external device input through the external device interface unit135can be output through the display180. A voice signal of the external device input through the external device interface unit135can be output through the audio output interface185.

An external device connectable to the external device interface unit135can be one of a set-top box, a Blu-ray player, a DVD player, a game console, a sound bar, a smartphone, a PC, a USB memory, and a home theater system, but this is just exemplary.

The network interface unit133can provide an interface for connecting the display device100to a wired/wireless network including an Internet network. The network interface unit133can transmit or receive data to or from another user or another electronic device through an accessed network or another network linked to the accessed network.

In addition, some content data stored in the display device100can be transmitted to a user or an electronic device, which is selected from other users or other electronic devices preregistered in the display device100.

The network interface unit133can access a predetermined webpage through an accessed network or another network linked to the accessed network. That is, the network interface unit133can transmit or receive data to or from a corresponding server by accessing a predetermined webpage through the network.

The network interface unit133can receive content or data provided from a content provider or a network operator. That is, the network interface unit133can receive content, such as movies, advertisements, games, VODs, and broadcast signals, which are provided from the content provider or the network operator, and information relating thereto through the network.

In addition, the network interface unit133can receive firmware update information and update files provided from the network operator, and can transmit data to the Internet or content provider or the network operator.

The network interface unit133can select and receive a desired application among applications open to the air, through the network.

The storage unit140can store signal-processed image, voice, or data signals stored by a program in order for each signal processing and control in the control unit170.

In addition, the storage unit140can perform a function for temporarily storing image, voice, or data signals output from the external device interface unit135or the network interface unit133, and can store information on a predetermined image through a channel memory function.

The storage unit140can store an application or an application list input from the external device interface unit135or the network interface unit133.

The display device100can play content files (e.g., video files, still image files, music files, document files, application files, etc.) stored in the storage unit140, and can provide the content files to a user.

The user input interface unit150can transmit signals input by a user to the control unit170, or can transmit signals from the control unit170to a user. For example, the user input interface unit150can receive or process control signals such as power on/off, channel selection, and screen setting from the remote control device200or transmit control signals from the control unit170to the remote control device200according to various communication methods such as Bluetooth, Ultra Wideband (WB), ZigBee, Radio Frequency (RF), and IR communication methods.

In addition, the user input interface unit150can transmit, to the control unit170, control signals input from local keys (not shown) such as a power key, a channel key, a volume key, and a setting key.

Image signals that are image-processed by the control unit170can be input to the display180and displayed as images corresponding to the image signals. In addition, image signals that are image-processed by the control unit170can be input to an external output device through the external device interface unit135.

Voice signals processed by the control unit170can be output to the audio output interface185. In addition, voice signals processed by the control unit170can be input to the external output device through the external device interface unit135.

Additionally, the control unit170can control overall operations of the display device100.

In addition, the control unit170can control the display device100by a user command or an internal program input through the user input interface unit150, and can access the network to download a desired application or application list into the display device100.

The control unit170can output channel information selected by a user together with the processed image or voice signals through the display180or the audio output interface185.

In addition, the control unit170can output image signals or voice signals of an external device such as a camera or a camcorder, which are input through the external device interface unit135, through the display180or the audio output interface185, according to an external device image playback command received through the user input interface unit150.

Moreover, the control unit170can control the display180to display images, and can control the display180to display broadcast images input through the tuner131, external input images input through the external device interface unit135, images input through the network interface, or images stored in the storage unit140. In this case, an image displayed on the display180can be a still image or video and also can be a 2D image or a 3D image.

Additionally, the control unit170can play content stored in the display device100, received broadcast content, and external input content input from the outside, and the content can be in various formats such as broadcast images, external input images, audio files, still images, accessed web screens, and document files.

Moreover, the wireless communication unit173can perform wired or wireless communication with an external device. The wireless communication unit173can perform short-range communication with an external device. For this, the wireless communication unit173can support short-range communication by using at least one of Bluetooth™, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, Near Field Communication (NFC), Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, and Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB) technologies. The wireless communication unit173can support wireless communication between the display device100and a wireless communication system, between the display device100and another display device100, or between networks including the display device100and another display device100(or an external server) through wireless area networks. The wireless area networks can be wireless personal area networks.

Herein, the other display device100can be a mobile terminal such as a wearable device (for example, a smart watch, a smart glass, and a head mounted display (HMD)) or a smartphone, which is capable of exchanging data (or inter-working) with the display device100. The wireless communication unit173can detect (or recognize) a wearable device capable of communication around the display device100. Furthermore, if the detected wearable device is a device authenticated to communicate with the display device100, the control unit170can transmit at least part of data processed in the display device100to the wearable device through the wireless communication unit173. Therefore, a user of the wearable device can use the data processed by the display device100through the wearable device.

The display unit180can convert image signals, data signals, or on-screen display (OSD) signals, which are processed in the control unit170, or images signals or data signals, which are received in the external device interface unit135, into R, G, and B signals to generate driving signals.

Furthermore, the display device100shown inFIG.1is just one embodiment of the present disclosure and thus, some of the components shown can be integrated, added, or omitted according to the specification of the actually implemented display device100.

That is, if necessary, two or more components can be integrated into one component, or one component can be divided into two or more components. Additionally, a function performed by each block is to describe an embodiment of the present disclosure and its specific operation or device does not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, unlikeFIG.1, the display device100can receive images through the network interface unit133or the external device interface unit135and play them without including the tuner131and the demodulation unit132.

For example, the display device100can be divided into an image processing device such as a set-top box for receiving broadcast signals or contents according to various network services and a content playback device for playing contents input from the image processing device.

In this case, an operating method of a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure described below can be performed by one of the display device described with reference toFIG.1, an image processing device such as the separated set-top box, and a content playback device including the display unit180and the audio output unit185.

A remote control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS.2and3.

FIG.2is a block diagram illustrating a remote control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure andFIG.3is a view illustrating an actual configuration of a remote control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

First, referring toFIG.2, a remote control device200can include a fingerprint recognition unit210, a wireless communication unit220, a user input interface230, a sensor unit240, an output interface unit250, a power supply unit260, a storage270, a control unit280, and a voice acquisition unit290.

Referring toFIG.2, the wireless communication unit220transmits/receives signals to/from an arbitrary any one of display devices according to the above-mentioned embodiments of the present disclosure.

The remote control device200can include a radio frequency (RF) module221capable of transmitting or receiving signals to or from the display device100according to an RF communication standard, and an IR module223capable of transmitting or receiving signals to or from the display device100according to an IR communication standard. In addition, the remote control device200can include a Bluetooth module225capable of transmitting or receiving signals to or from the display device100according to a Bluetooth communication standard. In addition, the remote control device200can include an NFC module227capable of transmitting or receiving signals to or from the display device100according to an NFC communication standard, and a wireless LAN (WLAN) module229capable of transmitting or receiving signals to or from the display device100according to a WLAN communication standard.

In addition, the remote control device200can transmit signals containing information on the movement of the remote control device200to the display device100through the wireless communication unit220.

Moreover, the remote control device200can receive signals transmitted from the display device100through the RF module221and if necessary, can transmit a command for power on/off, channel change, and volume change to the display device100through the IR module223.

The user input interface230can be configured with a keypad, a button, a touch pad, or a touch screen. A user can operate the user input interface230to input a command relating to the display device100to the remote control device200. If the user input interface230includes a hard key button, a user can input a command relating to the display device100to the remote control device200through the push operation of the hard key button. This will be described with reference toFIG.3.

Referring toFIG.3, the remote control device200can include a plurality of buttons. The plurality of buttons can include a fingerprint recognition button212, a power button231, a home button232, a live button233, an external input button234, a volume control button235, a voice recognition button236, a channel change button237, an OK button238, and a back button239.

The fingerprint recognition button212can be a button for recognizing a user's fingerprint. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fingerprint recognition button212can perform a push operation and receive a push operation and a fingerprint recognition operation. The power button231can be a button for turning on/off the power of the display device100. The home button232can be a button for moving to the home screen of the display device100. The live button233can be a button for displaying live broadcast programs. The external input button234can be a button for receiving an external input connected to the display device100. The volume control button235can be a button for controlling a volume output from the display device100. The voice recognition button236can be a button for receiving user's voice and recognizing the received voice. The channel change button237can be a button for receiving broadcast signals of a specific broadcast channel. The OK button238can be a button for selecting a specific function, and the back button239can be a button for returning to a previous screen.

FIG.2is described again.

If the user input interface230includes a touch screen, a user can touch a soft key of the touch screen to input a command relating to the display device100to the remote control device200. In addition, the user input interface230can include various kinds of input interfaces operable by a user, for example, a scroll key and a jog key, and this embodiment does not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

The sensor unit240can include a gyro sensor241or an acceleration sensor243. The gyro sensor241can sense information on the movement of the remote control device200.

For example, the gyro sensor241can sense information on an operation of the remote control device200on the basis of x, y, and z axes and the acceleration sensor243can sense information on a movement speed of the remote control device200. Moreover, the remote control device200can further include a distance measurement sensor that senses a distance with respect to the display180of the display device100.

The output interface unit250can output image or voice signals in response to the operation of the user input interface unit253, or can output image or voice signals corresponding to signals transmitted from the display device100. A user can recognize whether the user input interface unit253is operated or the display device100is controlled through the output interface unit250.

For example, the output unit250can include an LED module251for flashing, a vibration module253for generating vibration, a sound output module255for outputting sound, or a display module257for outputting an image, if the user input unit235is manipulated or signals are transmitted/received to/from the display device100through the wireless communication unit225.

Additionally, the power supply unit260supplies power to the remote control device200and if the remote control device200does not move for a predetermined time, stops the power supply, so that power waste can be reduced. The power supply unit260can resume the supply of power if a predetermined key provided at the remote control device200is operated.

The storage270can store various kinds of programs and application data required to control or operate the remote control device200. If the remote control device200transmits/receives signals wirelessly through the display device100and the RF module221, the remote control device200and the display device100transmits/receives signals through a predetermined frequency band.

The control unit280of the remote control device200can store, in the storage unit270, information on a frequency band for transmitting/receiving signals to/from the display device100paired with the remote control device200and refer to it.

The control unit280controls general matters relating to the control of the remote control device200. The control unit280can transmit a signal corresponding to a predetermined key operation of the user input interface unit253or a signal corresponding to the movement of the remote control device200sensed by the sensor unit240to the display device100through the wireless communication unit225.

In addition, the voice acquisition unit290of the remote control device200can acquire voice.

The voice acquisition unit290can include at least one microphone and acquire voice through the microphone.

Next,FIG.4is described.

FIG.4is a view illustrating an example of utilizing a remote control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.4(a)illustrates that a pointer205corresponding to the remote control device200is displayed on the display unit180.

A user can move or rotate the remote control device200vertically or horizontally. The pointer205displayed on the display unit180of the display device100corresponds to a movement of the remote control device200. Since the corresponding pointer205is moved and displayed according to a movement on a 3D space as show in the drawing, the remote control device200can be referred to as a spatial remote control device.

FIG.4(b)illustrates that if a user moves the remote control device200, the pointer205displayed on the display unit180of the display device100is moved to the left according to the movement of the remote control device200.

Information on a movement of the remote control device200detected through a sensor of the remote control device200is transmitted to the display device100. The display device100can calculate the coordinates of the pointer205from the information on the movement of the remote control device200. The display device100can display the pointer205to match the calculated coordinates.

FIG.4(c)illustrates that while a specific button in the remote control device200is pressed, a user moves the remote control device200away from the display unit180. Thus, a selected region in the display180corresponding to the pointer205can be zoomed in and displayed in an enlarged size.

On the other hand, if a user moves the remote control device200close to the display unit180, a selection area in the display unit180corresponding to the pointer205can be zoomed out and displayed in a reduced size.

On the other hand, if the remote control device200is moved away from the display unit180, a selection area can be zoomed out and if the remote control device200is moved closer to the display unit180, a selection area can be zoomed in.

Additionally, if a specific button in the remote control device200is pressed, recognition of a vertical or horizontal movement can be excluded. That is, if the remote control device200is moved away from or closer to the display unit180, the up, down, left, or right movement cannot be recognized and only the back and forth movement can be recognized. While a specific button in the remote control device200is not pressed, only the pointer205is moved according to the up, down, left or right movement of the remote control device200.

Moreover, the moving speed or moving direction of the pointer205can correspond to the moving speed or moving direction of the remote control device200.

Furthermore, a pointer in this specification means an object displayed on the display unit180in response to an operation of the remote control device200. Therefore, in addition to the arrow form displayed as the pointer205in the drawing, various forms of objects are possible. For example, the above concept includes a point, a cursor, a prompt, and a thick outline. Then, the pointer205can be displayed in correspondence to one point of a horizontal axis and a vertical axis on the display unit180and also can be displayed in correspondence to a plurality of points such as a line and a surface.

FIG.5is a view for describing an artificial intelligence (AI) system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

An AI system5can include a display device100, an AI server10, an IoT server20, and a plurality of home appliances51to55.

The display device100can wirelessly communicate with the AI server10.

The display device100may transmit voice data corresponding to the voice command uttered by the user to the AI server10.

The AI server10may obtain the intention of the voice command based on the voice data received from the display device100.

The AI server10may identify one or more home appliances associated with the obtained intention.

The AI server10may request state information of one or more home appliances identified through the AI server to the IoT server20.

State information of one or more home appliances may be received from the IoT server20through the AI server.

The AI server10may obtain recommended operation information of one or more home appliances based on the obtained intention of the voice command and the received state information of one or more home appliances.

The AI server10may transmit, to the display device100, intention analysis information of a voice command, state information of one or more home appliances, and recommended operation information of one or more home appliances.

The display device100may output the received intention analysis information, state information of one or more home appliances, and recommended operation information of one or more home appliances.

The display device100may transmit a request for a recommended operation to the AI server10.

The AI server10may transmit a control command to the IoT server20to perform an operation corresponding to the recommended operation information.

The IoT server20may transmit a control command to the corresponding home appliance.

The IoT server20may periodically transmit identification information and state information of one or more home appliances to the AI server10. The home appliance may be any one of a washing machine51, a robot cleaner52, a refrigerator53, an air purifier54, and an air conditioner55.

FIG.6is a block diagram for describing the configuration of the AI server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.6, the AI server10can refer to a device that learns an artificial neural network by using a machine learning algorithm or uses a learned artificial neural network. The AI server10can be configured with a plurality of servers to perform distributed processing, and can be defined as a 5G network. In this case, the AI server10can be included as a part of the display device100to perform at least a part of AI processing together.

The AI server10can include a communication unit61, a memory63, a learning processor64, and a processor66.

The communication unit61may transmit or receive data to or from an external device such as the display device100.

The memory63can include a model storage unit63-1. The model storage unit63-1may store a model (or an artificial neural network63-2) that is being learned or is learned through the learning processor64.

The learning processor64can learn the artificial neural network63-2by using training data. The learning model can be used while being mounted on the AI server10of the artificial neural network, or can be used while being mounted on the external device such as the display device100.

The learning model can be implemented as hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. When all or part of the learning model is implemented as software, one or more instructions constituting the learning model can be stored in the memory63.

The processor660can infer a result value for new input data by using the learning model and generate a response or a control command based on the inferred result value.

FIG.7is a ladder diagram for an operating method of an AI system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The control unit170of the display device100receives a voice command uttered by the user (S701).

In an embodiment, the control unit170may receive a voice command through a microphone provided in the user input interface unit150.

In another embodiment, the control unit170may receive a voice command received by the remote control device200.

The control unit170may convert a voice signal corresponding to a voice command into voice data.

The control unit170of the display device100transmits voice data corresponding to the received voice command to the AI server10through the network interface unit133(S703).

The processor66of the AI server10obtains the intention of the voice command based on the voice data received from the display device100(S705).

The processor66may convert voice data into text data using a speech-to-text (STT) engine.

The processor66may analyze the intention of the converted text data using a natural language processing (NLP) engine and may obtain the intention of the voice command according to the intention analysis result.

The processor66of the AI server10identifies one or more home appliances associated with the obtained intention (S707).

The processor66may identify one or more home appliances associated with the obtained intention among a plurality of home appliances51to55provided in the house.

The AI server10may receive information about a plurality of home appliances51to55provided in the house from the IoT server20and store the information in the memory63.

The information of each home appliance may include at least one of a name of the home appliance, a model name of the home appliance, and a general function and a special function of the home appliance.

The processor66may identify the home appliance matching the obtained intention.

For example, when the obtained intention is to request the weather, the processor66may identify one or more home appliances capable of providing information about the weather among the plurality of home appliances51to55.

Specifically, when the obtained intention is to request the weather, the processor66may obtain the air purifier54capable of providing a state of fine dust in the house as a device associated with the intention.

As another example, when the obtained intention is to request cleaning, the processor66obtains the robot cleaner52capable of performing cleaning among the plurality of home appliances51to55as a device associated with the intention.

The processor66of the AI server10requests the IoT server20for state information of one or more home appliances identified through the communication unit61(S709).

In an embodiment, the state information of the home appliance may include one or more of operation information of the home appliance and measurement information measured by the home appliance.

The operation information of the home appliance may include one or more of whether the home appliance is turned on/off, an operating time of the home appliance, a current operation mode of the home appliance, and operation modes supported by the home appliance.

The measurement information of the home appliance may be sensing information measured through a sensor provided in the home appliance. For example, the air purifier54may include a dust sensor and measure the concentration of fine dust in the house.

The air conditioner55may include a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor and may measure the temperature in the house through the temperature sensor and the humidity in the house through the humidity sensor.

The processor66of the AI server10receives state information of one or more home appliances from the IoT server20through the communication unit61(S711).

The processor66of the AI server10obtains the recommended operation information of one or more home appliances based on the obtained intention of the voice command and the received state information of one or more home appliances (S713).

The recommended operation information of the home appliance may be information for recommending the operation of the home appliance.

The processor66may generate recommended operation information for recommending the operation of one or more identified home appliances according to the intention of the voice command.

When it is determined that a change in the environment in the house is necessary based on the state information, the processor66may generate recommended operation information for recommending the operation of one or more home appliances for the change of the environment. The environmental change may be any one or more of a change in air quality states, a change in temperature, and a change in humidity in the house.

The processor66of the AI server10transmits, to the display device100through the communication unit61, intention analysis information of a voice command, state information of one or more home appliances, and recommended operation information of one or more home appliances (S715).

The control unit170of the display device100outputs the received intention analysis information, state information of one or more home appliances, and recommended operation information of one or more home appliances (S717).

The control unit170may output the intention analysis information, the state information, and the recommended operation information as audio through the audio output unit185.

As another example, the control unit170may display intention analysis information, state information, and recommended operation information through the display unit180.

As the recommended operation information is output, the user may receive a guide for controlling the operation of the home appliance by reflecting not only external information but also state information of the home appliance. Accordingly, simultaneous control of home appliances optimized for individuals may be performed, thereby providing an improved user experience.

The control unit170of the display device100transmits a request for a recommended operation to the AI server10through the network interface unit133(S719).

The control unit170may receive a request for a recommended operation from the remote control device200.

The control unit170may receive a request command for the operation of the usage recommendation through the microphone provided in the user input interface unit150.

The processor66of the AI server10transmits a control command to the IoT server20to perform an operation corresponding to the recommended operation information through the communication unit61(S721).

The control command may include commands for controlling each of two or more home appliances. For example, the control command may include a first command for controlling the operation of the first home appliance and a second command for controlling the operation of the second home appliance.

The IoT server20may transmit an operation command for controlling the operation of the corresponding home appliance to the corresponding home appliance according to the received control command. The corresponding home appliance may perform a specific function according to an operation command received from the IoT server20.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user can conveniently control the operation of the home appliance without a manipulation for separately controlling the operation of the home appliance.

Meanwhile, the AI server10may automatically transmit a control command for performing an operation corresponding to the usage recommended information to the lot server20without a request for the operation of the usage recommendation.

In other words, steps S719to S721ofFIG.7may be omitted.

Accordingly, the user can feel the effect of being automatically capable of controlling the home appliance without a request for the operation of the usage recommendation.

FIGS.8to11are diagrams for explaining a process of identifying one or more home appliances matching the intention of a voice command, and controlling the operation of the identified home appliance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In particular,FIGS.8and9are embodiments in which one home appliance matching the intention of a voice command is identified, andFIGS.10and11are views explaining an embodiment in which a plurality of home appliances matching the intention of a voice command are identified.

First,FIGS.8and9will be described.

Users can utter the voice command <How's the weather today?>.

The display device100may receive a voice command uttered by a user, pre-process the received voice command, and transmit the pre-processed voice data to the AI server10.

The AI server10may convert the received voice data into text data and determine the intention of the converted text data.

The AI server10may receive external weather information from a weather server (not illustrated) according to the identified intention.

In addition, the AI server10may identify a weather-related home appliance among a plurality of home appliances51to55provided in the house. Specifically, the AI server10may extract a keyword representing the weather. The keyword representing the weather may include temperature, humidity, air state, and air quality state.

The AI server10may determine a home appliance capable of providing information on one or more of temperature, humidity, air state, and air quality state indicating weather among the plurality of home appliances51to55.

As another example, the AI server10may determine a home appliance capable of controlling one or more of temperature, humidity, air state, and air quality state indicating weather among a plurality of home appliances51to55.

As another example, while providing information about one or more of temperature, humidity, air state, and air quality state indicating the weather among the plurality of home appliances51to55, home appliances capable of controlling one or more of temperature, humidity, air state, and air quality state indicating the weather can be determined.

For example, the AI server10may identify the air purifier54that can control the air quality state.

The AI server10may receive the indoor air quality state from the air purifier54.

The air quality state may include a good state, a normal state, and a bad state classified according to the indoor fine dust concentration measured by the air purifier54.

The AI server10may receive the current operating state and air quality state from the air purifier54.

The AI server10may generate intention analysis information according to the intention of the voice command, the air quality state received from the air purifier54, and recommended operation information of the air purifier54and transmit it to the display device100.

Referring toFIG.9, the display device100may display information900received from the AI server10in text form through the display unit180.

The information900may include intention analysis information910according to intention analysis of a voice command called <how's the weather today?>, air quality state information930measured by the air purifier54related to the intention, and the recommended operation information950that recommends turning on the operation of the air purifier54.

When the user utters the voice command <Ok>, the display device100may determine that the user agrees to the recommended operation information950.

The display device100may transmit the user's consent determination to the AI server10.

The AI server10may transmit a control command to turn on the operation of the air purifier54to the IoT server20according to the user's consent determination. The IoT server20may transmit an operation command for turning on the operation of the air purifier54to the air purifier54according to the received control command.

The air purifier54may turn on the operation thereof according to the operation command received from the IoT server20.

As such, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as the home appliance matching the intention of the voice command is automatically controlled, the user may receive an improved user experience.

Referring toFIG.10, the AI server10may identify two home appliances that match the intention of the voice command uttered by the user, <How's the weather today?>.

The AI server10may identify the air purifier54associated with the air quality state and the air conditioner55associated with temperature/humidity among a plurality of home appliances.

In other words, the AI server10may determine the air purifier54and the air conditioner55as the home appliance associated with the weather among the plurality of home appliances.

The display device100may display the information1000received from the AI server10through the display unit180.

The information1000may include weather information1010received from an external server, air quality state information1030measured by the air purifier54, indoor temperature information1050measured by the air conditioner55, and the recommended operation information1070for guiding the operation of the air purifier54and the air conditioner55.

In a case where the user utters the voice command <Ok>, the display device100may determine that the user agrees to the recommended operation information1070.

The display device100may transmit the user's consent determination to the AI server10.

The AI server10may transmit a control command to turn on the operation of the air purifier54and to set the operation mode of the air conditioner55to the cooling mode to the IoT server20according to the user's consent determination. The IoT server20may transmit an operation command to turn on the operation of the air purifier54to the air purifier54according to the received control command and may transmit an operation command to set the operation mode of the air conditioner55to the cooling mode to the air conditioner55.

The air purifier54may turn on the ventilation mode according to the operation command received from the IoT server20.

The air conditioner55may switch the operation mode thereof to the cooling mode according to the operation command received from the IoT server20.

As such, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as a plurality of home appliances matching the intention of the voice command are automatically controlled, the user may receive an improved user experience.

FIG.11is a view for explaining a case where the first air purifier54-1and the second air purifier54-2are disposed in the living room and the main room, respectively.

Referring toFIG.11, the AI server10may identify two air purifiers that match the intention of a voice command uttered by the user, <How's the weather today?>.

In other words, the AI server10may identify the first air purifier54-1and the second air purifier54-2associated with an air quality state that matches the intention of the voice command.

The display device100may display the information1100received from the AI server10through the display unit180.

The information1100may include weather information1110received from an external server, air quality state information1130in the living room measured by the first air purifier54-1, the air quality state information1150in the main room measured by the second air purifier54-2, and the recommended operation information1170for recommending the operation of the first air purifier54-1.

The AI server10may generate the recommended operation information1170based on the air quality state information1130measured by the first air purifier54-1placed in the living room and air quality state information measured by the second air purifier54-2placed in the main room.

The AI server10may determine the ventilation of the living room because the air quality state of the living room is in a bad state and the air quality state of the main room is in a good state. To this end, the AI server10may generate the recommended operation information1170for turning on the operation of the first air purifier54-1in order to change the air quality state of the living room.

When the user utters the voice command <Ok>, the display device100may determine that the user agrees to the recommended operation information1170.

The display device100may transmit the user's consent determination to the AI server10.

The AI server10may transmit a control command for turning on the operation of the first air purifier54-1to the IoT server20according to the user's consent determination. The IoT server20may transmit an operation command for turning on the operation of the first air purifier54-1to the first air purifier54-1according to the control command received from the AI server10.

The first air purifier54-1may turn on the ventilation mode according to the operation command received from the IoT server20.

FIG.12is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In particular, the display device100is a diagram for explaining a process of directly identifying a home appliance that matches the intention of the voice command and providing recommended operation information of the identified home appliance.

Referring toFIG.12, the control unit170of the display device100receives a voice command uttered by a user (S1201).

In an embodiment, the control unit170may receive a voice command through a microphone provided in the user input interface unit150.

In another embodiment, the control unit170may receive a voice command received by the remote control device200.

The control unit170may convert a voice signal corresponding to a voice command into voice data.

The control unit170obtains the intention of the received voice command (S1203) and identifies one or more home appliances associated with the obtained intention (S1205).

The control unit170may convert voice data into text data using a speech-to-text (STT) engine.

The control unit170may analyze the intention of the converted text data using a natural language processing (NLP) engine and obtain the intention of the voice command according to the intention analysis result.

In another embodiment, the control unit170may transmit the voice data to the AI server10and obtain the intention of the voice data from the AI server10.

The control unit170may identify one or more home appliances associated with the obtained intention among a plurality of home appliances51to55provided in the house.

The control unit170may receive, from the IoT server20, information on a plurality of home appliances51to55provided in the house and store the information in the memory63.

The information of each home appliance may include at least one of a name of the home appliance, a model name of the home appliance, and a general function and a special function of the home appliance.

The control unit170may identify the home appliance matching the obtained intention.

For example, when the obtained intention is to request the weather, the control unit170may identify one or more home appliances capable of providing information about the weather among the plurality of home appliances51to55.

Specifically, when the obtained intention is to request the weather, the control unit170may obtain the air purifier54capable of providing a state of fine dust in the house as a device associated with the intention.

As another example, when the obtained intention is to request cleaning, the control unit170may obtain the robot cleaner52capable of performing cleaning among the plurality of home appliances51to55as a device associated with the intention.

The control unit170obtains state information of one or more identified home appliances (S1207).

In an embodiment, the state information of the home appliance may include one or more of operation information of the home appliance and measurement information measured by the home appliance.

The operation information of the home appliance may include one or more of whether the home appliance is turned on/off, an operating time of the home appliance, a current operation mode of the home appliance, and operation modes supported by the home appliance.

The measurement information of the home appliance may be sensing information measured through a sensor provided in the home appliance. For example, the air purifier54may include a dust sensor and measure the concentration of fine dust in the house.

The air conditioner55may include a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor and may measure the temperature in the house through the temperature sensor and the humidity in the house through the humidity sensor.

The control unit170may request state information from one or more home appliances identified through the wireless communication unit173and receive state information from the one or more home appliances.

The control unit170generates recommended operation information of one or more home appliances based on the identified state information of one or more home appliances (S1209).

The recommended operation information of the home appliance may be information for recommending the operation of the home appliance.

When it is determined that a change in the environment in the house is necessary based on the state information, the control unit170may generate recommended operation information for recommending the operation of one or more home appliances to change the environment. The environmental change may be any one or more of a change in air quality, a change in temperature, and a change in humidity in the house.

The control unit170outputs intention analysis information according to the analysis of the intention, state information of one or more home appliances, and recommended operation information of one or more home appliances (S1211).

The control unit170may output the intention analysis information, the state information of one or more home appliances, and the recommended operation information of the one or more home appliances through the display unit180or the audio output unit185.

The control unit170receives a request for a recommended operation of one or more home appliances and transmits a control command for performing a recommended operation to one or more home appliances according to the received request (S1213).

The request for the recommended operation may be a voice command in which the user approves the recommended operation.

The control command may include commands for controlling each of two or more home appliances. For example, the control command may include a first command for controlling the operation of the first home appliance and a second command for controlling the operation of the second home appliance.

One or more home appliances receiving the control command may perform an operation according to the control command.

FIGS.13to16are diagrams for explaining a process of providing recommended operation information of one or more home appliances associated with the intention of a voice command uttered by a user and controlling one or more home appliances according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

First, referring toFIG.13, a user may utter a voice command <How's the weather today?>.

The display device100may obtain the intention of the voice command and identify one or more home appliances associated with the obtained intention.

The intention of the voice command may be to provide weather information.

The display device100may identify a home appliance capable of providing information on temperature, humidity, air state, and air quality state indicating weather among a plurality of home appliances provided in the house.

As another example, the display device100may identify a home appliance capable of controlling a temperature, humidity, air state, and air quality state indicating weather among a plurality of home appliances provided in the house.

InFIG.14, it is assumed that the air purifier54has been identified.

The display device100may receive the indoor air quality state measured by the air purifier54from the air purifier54.

The display device100may generate recommended operation information for recommending the operation of the air purifier54based on the indoor air quality state.

Meanwhile, the display device100may receive weather information, which is intention analysis information according to intention analysis of a voice command, from an external server.

As illustrated inFIG.14, the display device100may display the information900including weather information910, indoor air quality state information930measured by the air purifier54, and the recommended operation information950of the air purifier54on the display unit180.

The display device100may receive a voice command <ok> that approves the recommended operation of the air purifier54uttered by the user.

The display device100may transmit a control command for turning on the operation of the air purifier54to the air purifier54through the wireless communication unit173according to the received voice command.

As described above, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user may receive analysis information according to the intention of the voice command uttered by the user and, at the same time, control the operation of the home appliance associated with the intention.

Next,FIG.15will be described.

InFIG.15, it is assumed that two home appliances associated with the intention of the user's voice command are identified. The two home appliances are an air purifier54and an air conditioner55.

The display device100may receive indoor air quality state information from the air purifier54and receive indoor temperature and indoor humidity from the air conditioner55.

The display device100may generate recommended operation information for guiding the operation of the air purifier54to be turned on when the air quality state is in a bad state, based on the indoor air quality state information.

In addition, when the indoor temperature is higher than the outdoor temperature, the display device100may generate recommended operation information for guiding the operation mode of the air conditioner55to be operated in the cooling mode.

The display device100may display the information1000including the weather information1010received from the external server, the air quality state information1030measured by the air purifier54, the indoor temperature information1050measured by the air conditioner55, and the recommended operation information1070for guiding the operation of the air purifier54and the air conditioner55on the display unit180.

As such, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of home appliances associated with the intention of the voice command may be identified, and operation control of the identified plurality of home appliances may be performed.

Next,FIG.16will be described.

InFIG.16, it is assumed that two air purifiers54-1and54-2associated with the intention of the user's voice command have been identified.

The display device100may receive, from the first air purifier54-1, the air quality state information in the living room measured by the first air purifier54-1and may receive, from the second air purifier54-2, the air quality state information in the main room measured by the second air purifier54-2.

The display device100may generate recommended operation information which guides to turn on the operation of the first air purifier54-1, in order to improve the air quality state in the living room in a case where the air quality state in the living room is in a bad state and the air quality state of the main room is in a good state.

The display device100may display the information1100including the weather information1110received from the external server, the air quality state information1130in the living room measured by the first air purifier54-1, the air quality state information1150in the main room measured by the second air purifier54-2, and the recommended operation information1170for recommending operation of the first air purifier54-1on the display unit180.

When the user utters the voice command <Ok>, the display device100may determine that the user agrees to the recommended operation information1170.

The display device100may transmit a control command for turning on the operation of the first air purifier54-1to the first air purifier54-1through the wireless communication unit173.

The first air purifier54-1may turn on the operation thereof according to a control command received from the display device100.

As such, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as one of the home appliances of the same type associated with the intention of the voice command is operated according to the situation in the house, the user's convenience can be greatly improved.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the above-described method can be implemented with codes readable by a processor on a medium in which a program is recorded. Examples of the medium readable by the processor include a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, and the like, and can include those implemented in the form of carrier wave (for example, transmission over Internet).

The display device described above is not limitedly applicable to the configuration and method of the above-described embodiments, and the embodiments are configured by selectively combining all or part of each of the embodiments such that various modifications can be made.