KR20030003604A - Electronic image displayer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An electronic album is provided to display a plurality of image files in diverse methods, to offer easy appreciation, and to download or upload the image file through a communication network. CONSTITUTION: A display part(36) displays the image file. A display housing surrounds the display part(36). A communication interface(35) transmits/receives the image file with an external device. A memory(34) stores the image file received through the communication interface(35). A key input part(32) receives user's input by installing to one side of the display housing. A controller(31) browses the image file based on the user's input from the key input part(32). A supporter supports the display housing.

Description

Electronic album device {Electronic image displayer}

The present invention relates to an electronic album device capable of displaying an image file.

As data compression technology and communication technology are developed, transmission of digital image files through the Internet is frequently performed. In addition, the spread of digital cameras is increasing day by day, the digital image data obtained by the digital camera can be transferred to the PC hard drive and displayed on the monitor.

However, PCs are often used to access the Internet, search for information, play games, or perform office tasks, so that image files cannot always be displayed. In other words, to display an image file, you must stop the work you were doing. In addition to desktops, laptops are also cumbersome to carry. Portable notebooks have been developed and sold, but the smaller they are, the more expensive they are, so they are not suitable for simply storing and displaying image files.

On the other hand, desktop photo frames that can display their favorite pictures, such as family photos in a frame is widely used. However, desktop picture frames can generally only show one picture. Therefore, if you want to see another picture, there is a need to replace the conventional picture with a new picture.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic album device that is portable and can be displayed in various ways in a variety of ways, and can be placed to facilitate viewing when necessary.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic album device capable of downloading or uploading an image file through a communication network.

1A, 1B and 1C are external views of an electronic album device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a functional block diagram of the electronic album device of FIGS. 1A and 1B;

3 to 9 are reference diagrams for explaining the operation of the electronic album device;

10A to 10I are exemplary views for explaining a sliding method.

* Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

1: base 2: main body

3: display housing 11: selection key

12,13: arrow keys 14: cancel key

15: power key 16: insertion hole

17: base portion 18: coupling portion

The object is, according to the present invention, a display unit for displaying an image file; A display housing surrounding the display unit; Communication interface unit for transmitting and receiving image files with the external device; A memory unit for storing the image file received through the communication interface unit; A key input unit provided at one side of the display housing to receive a user input; A controller configured to control browsing of the image file based on a user input received through the key input unit; And it is achieved by the electronic album device characterized in that it comprises a support for supporting the display housing.

The electronic album apparatus further includes an external memory slot in which an external memory is detachably mounted, and an insertion hole for inserting the external memory is provided at one side of the display housing, and the controller receives the user through the key input unit. It is preferable to control to browse an image file stored in an external memory mounted in the external memory slot based on the input.

The support portion, the support portion seated on the ground; And a coupling part for coupling the support part to the display housing such that the display part rotates left and right by a predetermined angle about a virtual reference line existing on the display screen.

The controller may display a menu screen on the display unit in response to a call through the key input unit, and perform the specific function according to a menu selected through the key input unit. It is effective to control the communication interface unit.

The menu screen includes a power saving mode menu, and the controller controls the image not to be displayed on the display for a predetermined time when the power saving mode menu is selected, or the menu screen includes a sleep menu, and the control unit At least one image file stored in an external memory mounted in the memory unit or an external memory slot during the automatic operation time may be displayed on the display unit in a predetermined order.

The automatic operation time is set by a user input through the key input unit for the menu screen.

The control unit may display at least one image file stored in the memory unit or an external memory mounted in an external memory slot in the display unit in a predetermined order, or a user input for instructing to delete the predetermined image file through the key input unit. It is particularly preferable to delete the target image file from the external memory mounted in the memory unit or the external memory slot only when the image protection function is set by checking whether the image protection function is set.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1A, 1B, and 1C are external views of an electronic album device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 1A is a front perspective view in a state in which the main body 2 is folded so as to be seated on a pedestal 1 serving as a support, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view in a state in which the main body 2 is spaced apart from the pedestal 1. 1c is a rear perspective view of the main body 2 in a folded state so as to be seated on a pedestal 1 serving as a support part.

1A, 1B and 1C, the main body 2 includes a display housing 3 surrounding a rectangular display portion 36. One side of the display housing 3 is provided with a plurality of function keys as a key input unit 32 for receiving a user input. The key includes a selection key 11, direction keys 12 and 13, a cancel key 14, and a power key 15. The select key 11 is used to call a menu screen and to select a menu. The direction keys 12 and 13 are used to move the cursor displayed on the display screen of the display unit 36. The cancel key 14 is used to return to the mode immediately before the current mode. The other side of the display housing 3 is provided with an insertion opening 16 into which an external memory such as a smart card can be inserted. Here, the display unit 36 is implemented as a TFT LCD according to the present embodiment, but may be implemented as other display devices such as other PDPs.

The pedestal 1 supports the main body 2 so that the main body 2 stands on a desk or the like so that the image file displayed on the display unit 36 can be easily viewed. Furthermore, when the main body 2 is not erected, it has a structure that is folded for easy carrying and storage. To this end, the pedestal 1 hinges the support 17 and the display housing 3 so as to rotate left and right by a predetermined angle about the base 1a mounted on the ground and the virtual reference line existing on the display screen. It has a coupling portion 18 for coupling. Here, the coupling method of the coupling unit 18 may be implemented in other ways besides the hinge coupling.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the electronic album apparatus of FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C.

Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic album apparatus includes a control unit 31, a key input unit 32, an external memory slot 33, a memory unit 34, a communication interface unit 35, and a speaker unit 37.

As described above, the key input unit 32 receives a user input through the plurality of function keys 11, 12, 13, and 14 and transmits the user input to the control unit 31. The external memory slot 33 is mounted to be detachable from the external memory input through the aforementioned insertion hole 16. Various types of external memory, such as a smart card, can be installed. In particular, a smart card in which an image file obtained through a digital camera is stored may be mounted and displayed.

The main body 2 surrounded by the display housing 3 includes a control unit 31, a memory unit 34, a communication interface unit 35, and a speaker unit 37.

The communication interface unit 35 transmits and receives an image file with an external device such as a PC. It is also possible to connect to a communication network such as the Internet via a PC to receive an image file from a specific server system and to receive the received image file through the communication interface 35 again. In addition, since the communication interface 35 includes a communication module that can directly connect to a communication network such as the Internet, it is possible to receive a predetermined image file directly from the server system without going through a PC. For example, the communication interface unit 35 includes a modem, and the control unit 31 can connect to the Internet by mounting a web browser capable of connecting to the Internet. Similarly, image files can be uploaded via a PC or communication network. The communication protocol for downloading and uploading may be variously determined according to the communication network, characteristics of the image file, and the like.

The controller 31 stores the image file received from the communication interface 35 in the memory 34. In this case, the controller 31 may re-encode and store the received image file in a predetermined manner if necessary. Furthermore, when sound is attached to the image file, DSP (Digital Sigal Processing) required for storing or reproducing is performed so that the sound data and the image data are output to the speaker unit 37 and the display unit 36, respectively. In addition, the control unit 31 displays a menu screen on the display unit 36 in response to a call through the key input unit 32, and based on a user input received through the key input unit 32, the memory unit 34 or an external device. The image file stored in the external memory mounted in the memory slot 33 is browsed. More specifically, at least one image file is sequentially displayed on the display unit 36 in the order selected by the user or by default. In addition, the protection function is set or released on the predetermined image file. In addition, the display unit 36 is turned off so that the image file is not displayed for a predetermined time or the image file is displayed on the display unit 36 only for the predetermined time. In addition, according to the user's selection, the predetermined image file is deleted from the external memory mounted in the memory unit 34 or the external memory slot 33.

As described later, the speaker unit 37 transmits a sound informing the alarm time when the alarm time is set. Also, if a sound is attached to the image file, the sound is transmitted.

For example, the memory unit 34 may be a flash memory and / or DRAM, the communication interface unit 35 may be a USB communication interface unit connectable to a PC, and the control unit 31 may be implemented as a Strong ARM processor.

Referring to the operation of the electronic album device according to the above configuration as follows.

First, the power control method will be described.

When power is supplied to the electronic album device, the control unit 31 is turned off after the initialization. At this time, when the user presses the power key 15, the image files stored in the memory unit 34 or the external memory are displayed on the display screen in the specified order. When the power is first applied, two image files stored by default by the manufacturer are displayed. On the other hand, if the power key 15 is pressed for a few seconds (set to 2 seconds in this embodiment), the power is turned off to switch to the power saving mode.

Next, the user interface through the display screen will be described. However, the description order of the user interface follows the user input through the key input unit 32 after the menu screen is called.

<Menu Screen Call>

An image file designated as a background screen is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 36. When the selection key 11 is pressed, a menu screen on which various menu icons are arranged is displayed as shown in FIG. 3, and a cursor is positioned on a predetermined menu icon. . The menu icons are composed of all 6 functions. However, the number of menu icons, the display order, and the display method may be variously changed.

1.Browse icon: browsing function such as searching, protecting, and deleting image files

2.Set Slide: Set the order of the image files displayed on the display screen and the display method of the display screen.

3.Download icon (DownLoad): Download / upload function of image file to / from PC connected via communication interface 35

4.Sleep icon (Set Sleep): Automatic time setting function

5.Set icon: set alarm

6.Set icon: set time

<Browsing icon>

When the user places the cursor on the browsing icon using the arrow keys 12 and 13 on the menu screen and then presses the selection key 11, the menu screen disappears and the mode is switched to the search mode. As shown in FIG. 4A, when the direction keys 12 and 13 are pressed in the search mode, the image file can be searched. At this time, the controller 31 checks whether the protection function is set in the target image file, and if the protection function is set, displays it on the display screen.

As shown in FIG. 4B, when the select key 11 is pressed again during the search, the controller 31 displays a sub menu screen for setting or deleting a protection function on the currently displayed image file. When the cursor is moved over the desired menu using the direction keys 12 and 13 and the selection key 11 is pressed, the controller 31 sets a protection function for the target image file or deletes the target image file. Pressing the cancel key 14 while the sub menu screen is displayed may return to the search mode. In addition, if the protection function is set in the currently displayed image file, the control unit 31 displays only a menu for releasing the protection function on the auxiliary menu screen.

<Slide icon>

Referring to FIG. 5, as shown in screen 51, when the user places the cursor on the slide icon using the arrow keys 12 and 13 on the menu screen and then presses the select key 11, the menu screen initially displayed as shown in screen 52 is displayed. The cursor changes together with other menu screens. The user moves the cursor with the direction keys 12 and 13 and selects a desired menu icon with the selection key 11. The newly displayed menu icons are as follows.

2-1. Power saving mode icon (Econo Mode: (ON / OFF)): Performs a power saving function simultaneously with a slide function. If you press the select key (11) while the cursor is located, it is displayed alternately ON / OFF. The control unit 31 turns off the display unit 36 for a predetermined time (30 seconds in this embodiment) until the next image file is displayed after the image file is displayed on the display screen for a designated time and waits in the power saving mode. Meanwhile, the controller 31 displays the plurality of image files stored in advance in the memory 34 on the display 36 in an arbitrary manner.

2-2. Duration icon (Duration: (3/5/10/15/30 minutes)): Press the Select key (11) while the cursor is positioned to select 3-> 5-> 10-> 15-> 30-> 3-> Are selected in order. This is used to select how long an image file lasts on the display screen.

2-3. 1/12. 2/12. 3/12: The total number of image files (/ after the number) and the order in which they are displayed on the display screen (/ before the number).

2-4. Changing the display order: If the selection key 11 is pressed while the cursor is positioned as shown in screen 54, the controller 31 displays <> on the cursor as shown in screen 55 to select an order. The user selects the desired order using the direction keys 12 and 13, and then presses the selection key 11 again to set the display order as selected by the user, and pressing the cancel key 14 restores the previous setting.

<Download icon>

Referring to FIG. 6, when the cursor is positioned on the download icon using the direction keys 12 and 13 and then the selection key 11 is pressed, the controller 31 changes the display screen to the screen 62. In addition, the communication interface 35 prepares for transmission and reception of an image file with a PC. When the communication interface 35 is connected to the PC, the control unit 31 turns off the display screen, and when the communication interface 35 is disconnected from the PC, turns on the display screen to display the image file.

<Sleep icon>

Referring to FIG. 7, when the user places the cursor on the sleep icon as shown in screen 71 by using the arrow keys 12 and 13 and then presses the select key 11, the menu screen changes as shown in screen 72 and the cursor appears. On the new menu screen, a menu for setting an off time, that is, an automatic operation time, from an on time of the electronic album apparatus is displayed. At this time, if the on time and the off time are set to be the same, the sleep function does not operate.

The user selects the time display method using the direction keys 12 and 13 and presses the selection key 11 to change to the change mode. In the change mode, select the desired time setting using the direction keys 12 and 13 again, and then press the select key 11 to complete the time setting. After all settings are completed, the completed setting cannot be canceled by pressing the cancel key 14, and a new setting must be made if the setting is to be changed.

<Alarm icon>

Referring to FIG. 8, when the user places the cursor on the alarm icon as shown in screen 81 by using the arrow keys 12 and 13 and presses the select key 11, the setting menu is displayed on the screen as shown in screen 82 and the cursor appears. . The on / off setting of the alarm changes each time the select key 11 is pressed while the cursor is positioned. The alarm time is set in the same way as the time setting via the sleep icon.

<Time icon>

Referring to FIG. 9, when the user places the cursor on the time icon as shown in screen 91 by using the arrow keys 12 and 13, and then presses the select key 11, the user changes to the time setting mode as shown in screen 92. In the time setting mode, you can select year / month / day / hour / minute 10 units / minute 1 unit / APM. Press the select key 11 to enter the change mode, select the desired time using the direction keys (12, 13) and press the select key 11 again to complete the setting.

<Slide method>

The control unit 31 reads out at least one image file from the external memory mounted in the memory unit 34 or the external memory slot 33 and displays it in the display unit in a predetermined order. The slide follows the display method as follows.

10A is an exemplary diagram illustrating a method of displaying an image file by using a scroll left method. Referring to FIG. 10A, it can be seen that a predetermined image file is scrolled to the left.

10B illustrates a method of displaying an image file in a scroll right manner. Referring to FIG. 10B, a predetermined image file is scrolled to the right.

10C illustrates a method of displaying an image file by using a scroll down method. Referring to FIG. 10C, a predetermined image file is scrolled down.

FIG. 10D illustrates a method of displaying an image file in a scroll up manner. Referring to FIG. 10D, a predetermined image file is scrolled up.

10E illustrates a method of displaying an image file in a vertical wipe out method. Referring to FIG. 10B, a predetermined image file is displayed while being unfolded from the center to the left and right in the vertical direction of the display screen.

10F illustrates a method of displaying an image file by a vertical wipe in method. Referring to FIG. 10F, a predetermined image file is displayed while being unfolded from left to right in the vertical direction of the display screen.

FIG. 10G illustrates a method of displaying an image file in a horizontal wipe out method. Referring to FIG. 10G, a predetermined image file is displayed while being unfolded from the center up and down in the horizontal direction of the display screen.

FIG. 10H illustrates a method of displaying an image file by a horizontal wipe in method. Referring to FIG. 10H, a predetermined image file is displayed while being unfolded from the top to the center in the horizontal direction of the display screen.

FIG. 10I illustrates a method of displaying an image file by a fade out & fade in method. Referring to FIG. 10I, a predetermined image file is faded out on the display screen and then displayed while the other image file fades in.

FIG. 10J illustrates a method of displaying an image file in a mosaic manner. Referring to FIG. 10J, a predetermined image file is displayed in a mosaic manner on a display screen.

In addition to the sliding method described above, various sliding methods may be employed.

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided an electronic album device which is inexpensive and portable and can download or upload an image file through a communication network. Furthermore, according to the present invention, unlike a picture frame in which only one picture can be viewed in the related art, various image files can be displayed in various ways to stand and enjoy on a desk.

Claims (9)

A display unit for displaying an image file; A display housing surrounding the display unit; Communication interface unit for transmitting and receiving image files with the external device; A memory unit for storing the image file received through the communication interface unit; A key input unit provided at one side of the display housing to receive a user input; A controller configured to control browsing of the image file based on a user input received through the key input unit; And Electronic album device comprising a support for supporting the display housing. The method of claim 1, Further comprising an external memory slot to which the external memory is detachably mounted, One side of the display housing is provided with an insertion hole for inserting the external memory, And the controller controls to browse an image file stored in an external memory mounted in the external memory slot based on a user input received through the key input unit. The method of claim 1, The support portion, Support portion seated on the ground; And And an engaging portion for coupling the support portion to the display housing such that the display portion is rotated left and right by a predetermined angle about a virtual reference line existing on a display screen. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The controller may display a menu screen on the display unit in response to a call through the key input unit, and perform the specific function according to a menu selected through the key input unit. Electronic album device characterized in that for controlling the communication interface. The method of claim 4, wherein The menu screen includes a power saving mode menu, And the controller controls the image not to be displayed on the display unit for a predetermined time when the power saving mode menu is selected. The method of claim 4, wherein The menu screen includes a sleep menu, And the control unit displays at least one image file stored in an external memory mounted in the memory unit or an external memory slot in a predetermined sequence for a predetermined automatic operation time on the display unit. The method of claim 6, And the automatic operation time is set by a user input through the key input unit for the menu screen. The method of claim 1, And the control unit displays at least one image file stored in an external memory mounted in the memory unit or an external memory slot in the display unit in a predetermined order. The method of claim 1, The controller checks whether the image protection function is set when a user input for deleting a predetermined image file is received through the key input unit, and is installed in the memory unit or the external memory slot only when the image protection function is not set. The electronic album device, characterized in that for deleting the target image file from the external memory.