KR20070038734A - Apparatus for automatic controlling of power in tv and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention automatically detects the movement of a viewer (user) through a motion sensor (motion sensor) during the power saving function, and automatically turns off the power of the television when no movement is detected for a predetermined time, thereby automatically saving power to the television. And a method thereof. The present invention periodically checks whether the power saving function is selected when the television is operated, and when the power saving function is selected, drives the motion detection means to detect the user's movement and not detect the user's movement. If not, check the time (elapsed time) when the motion is not detected and compare the preset time to automatically control the elapsed time and the power of the television, and automatically control the power of the television according to the result. This is possible.

Television, power saving, motion sensor, automatic power control

Description

Power supply automatic control apparatus and method of television {APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC CONTROLLING OF POWER IN TV AND METHOD THEREOF}

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an automatic power supply control apparatus for a television according to the present invention.

2 is a mounting example of the motion sensor in the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for automatically controlling power of a television according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

120... Power Save Function Selection Unit

130... Motion detection means

140... Micom

150... Power control unit

The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically controlling a power supply of a television (TV) and a method thereof, and more particularly, when a power saving function detects a viewer's movement through a motion sensor (motion sensor), when the movement is not detected for a predetermined time or more, The present invention relates to an automatic power supply control apparatus for a television, and a method for controlling power saving by turning off the television.

In general, the spread of personal computers (PCs), TVs, VCRs, DVDs, and other electronic products has become popular due to the development of technology and the improvement of living standards. Especially, TVs, offices, The usage range of schools, etc., is expanding.

When a user watches TV at night and sleeps while the TV is not turned off, the TV operates continuously unless power is turned off by an external input. In the case of LCD TVs, LCD panels and power have a life time. If the TV is operated for a long time without the user watching, the LCD panel or power is unnecessary. There is a problem of reducing the time. In addition, LCD TVs that consume a lot of power consume unnecessary power.

Therefore, the conventional method proposed to solve the shortcomings occurring in such a general TV is a power saving method.

In the conventional automatic on / off function, when the user sets the on time and the off time by the time setting function, the internal microcomputer continuously checks whether the on time or the off time is reached, and the on time In this case, the TV is automatically turned on, and when the off time comes, the TV is automatically turned off.

However, such a conventional power saving method is not efficient because the power is automatically turned off and enters a power saving mode only when a set off time is taken into account without considering a situation such as a user's sleep, moving, or moving while watching TV.

For example, suppose the user sets the off time so that the user turns off the power 30 minutes after the current time at night, and the user enters the sleep state 5 minutes after the off time is set. The efficiency is reduced because it turns off after more minutes. Also, if the user sets the off time to turn off the power after 30 minutes from the current time, the TV will not operate until the set time is reached even if the user is away for a long time without turning off the TV while watching the TV. It is inefficient because it is turned off automatically.

On the other hand, if the user turns off the TV after watching the TV set to the power-off time after the power-off time is set, the user turns on the TV again and sets the power-off time again. In this case, the power on / off method based on the time concept is inefficient.

Accordingly, the present invention is proposed to solve the inefficient power saving method of the conventional TV (particularly, LCD TV),

An object of the present invention, when the power saving function of the motion sensor (motion sensor) to detect the movement of the viewer if no movement for more than a certain time automatically turns off the power of the television power control device of the television to achieve power saving And a method thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic power supply control apparatus for a television and a method for providing convenience to a user by automatically controlling the power of the television by determining whether the user uses the power saving function. have.

One embodiment of the "automatic power control device for television" according to the present invention for achieving the above object,

Power saving function selection unit for generating a selection signal for the power saving function in response to a user's operation of the power saving function selection switch, motion detection means for detecting a user's movement, and motion detection when the power saving function signal is generated by the power saving function selection unit It retrieves the motion information obtained from the means, and automatically generates a power control signal for powering off when the user's motion is not detected for a predetermined time, and automatically supplies the main power of the TV in response to the power control signal output from the microcomputer. It characterized in that it comprises a power control unit to turn off.

In particular, the motion detection means is characterized in that the motion sensor for detecting the user's movement using the ultrasonic pulse.

In addition, an embodiment of the "automatic power control method of the TV" according to the present invention for achieving the above object,

In the television automatic control method comprising a power saving function selection unit, a motion detection unit, a microcomputer, a power control unit,

Periodically checking whether the power saving function is selected when the television operates, detecting a user's movement by driving a motion detecting means when the power saving function is selected, and detecting the movement of the user if the user's movement is not detected. And checking the non-use time (elapsed time) and comparing the preset time to automatically control the elapsed time and the power of the television, and automatically controlling the power of the television according to the result. It is done.

The step of automatically controlling the power of the television is characterized in that the power of the television is automatically turned off when the elapsed time is equal to the set time or the elapsed time passes the set time.

In addition, the set time is characterized in that the time is set in order to eliminate the inconvenience that occurs when the user frequently turns off while watching the television after watching the television again frequent power off.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention according to the technical spirit as described above will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an automatic power supply control apparatus for a television according to the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, a digital broadcast signal is transmitted along with video and audio data, and the transmitted broadcast signal is received through the tuner 10, and the received signal is demodulated by a demodulator 20. Digital TV adopts different modulation and demodulation method according to the standard. In particular, in North America, "VSB" is used, and in Europe, "QAM / OFDM" is used. In the present invention, the VSB demodulator 20 is illustrated. The demodulated signal is provided in the form of a transport stream (also called a "TP stream"), which is separated and separated into video information, audio information, and data information in the demultiplexer 30 ("TP DeMux"), respectively. The information is decoded as defined in the specification. For example, in the case of North American digital TV, the image decoder 40 decodes according to the MPEG-2 (MPEG-2) standard, and the audio decoder 50 decodes according to the AC-3 standard, and extracts data information. The unit 60 extracts the desired data information according to the Program & System Information Protocol (PSIP) standard. In particular, when the EPG information is desired among the data information, the data information extracting unit 60 may be used as a means for extracting the EPG information. Each decoded information is finally provided to the user (viewer), and the image information is signaled to fit the screen displayed on the display processor 80 and then provided to the user through the video display device 90, and the audio information is a speaker The data information is provided through the data display device 110 after being temporarily stored in a data base 70 that stores the data information. All processes will be controlled by the microcomputer 140, the microcomputer 140 is under the control of the user through a remote control or key input device capable of wireless communication with the digital TV in performing a specific function.

The television system thus constructed and operated is a system configuration of a general LCD television or digital television.

The present invention relates to a general television system as known in the art, comprising: a power saving function selection unit 120 for generating a selection signal for a power saving function in response to a user's operation of a power saving function selection switch, and a motion detection means for detecting a user's movement ( 130 and a power controller 150 for automatically turning off the main power of the TV in response to the power control signal.

In addition, when the power saving function signal is generated by the power saving function selection unit 120, the microcomputer 140 searches for motion information acquired from the motion detecting means 130, and automatically turns off the power if the user's motion is not detected for a predetermined time. It adds a function to generate a power supply control signal.

The motion detection unit 130 preferably uses a motion sensor that detects a user's movement using ultrasonic pulses.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an example in which the motion detecting means 130 is substantially installed in a television (TV) in the present invention. In the present invention, a motion sensor, which is a motion detecting means 130, is mounted on a lower left portion of the television. Although illustrated as one example, the position of the motion sensor can be easily changed in consideration of the design form of the television, the user's preferred position, and the like.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method for automatically controlling a power supply of a television according to the present invention.

As shown, the microcomputer 140 periodically checks whether the power saving function is selected when the television is operated (S101 to S103), and when the power saving function is selected, driving the motion detection means to detect the user's movement. (S105, S109, S111) and checking the time (elapsed time) when the movement is not detected if the user's movement is not detected (S113), and the preset time for automatically turning off the elapsed time and the power of the television. Comparing the set time, the step of automatically controlling the power of the television (S117), and the step of checking whether the power-off signal is input when the power saving function is not selected (S107).

Here, in the step (S117) of automatically controlling the power of the television, when the elapsed time is equal to the set time or the elapsed time passes the set time, the power of the television is automatically turned off. If you are away from your computer for a while and watch TV again, this is the time you set to avoid the inconvenience of frequent power-offs.

Referring to the operation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention configured and made as described above in detail.

First, when power (main power) is supplied to the television as in step S101 by the user, the channel selected by the user under the control of the microcomputer 140 is tuned so that the image is displayed through the video display device 90, and the voice is a speaker. The data is transmitted through the data 100, and the data is displayed through the data display device 110. This allows the user to watch TV (S103).

If the user turns on the power saving function through the power saving function selection unit 120 for the power saving function while watching television, the microcomputer 140 recognizes this and switches the mode to the power saving mode to perform the power saving function. .

In the related art, since the user selects a power saving function and performs a power saving function by setting a timer, inconveniences occur due to a large number of key operations by the user, and an inefficient power saving function has been performed. There is a lot of convenience since the power saving function is selected only by simple key operation, for example, power saving function on / off key (button) operation, which determines only whether to select or not.

That is, when the television operates in the viewing mode, the microcomputer 140 checks whether the power saving function is continuously turned on as in step S105. If the power saving function is not turned on as a result of this check, go to step S107 to check whether a power off signal is input, and if the power off signal is input as a result of this check, go to step S117 to automatically turn off the power. Otherwise, if no power-off signal is input, the process moves to step S101 described above and repeats the steps below.

On the other hand, if the power saving function is selected as a result of the check in step S105, the process moves to step S109 to drive the motion sensor in the motion detecting means 130, and it is checked whether the motion is detected in step S111.

In order to observe the movement of a human body, an animal or a moving object, to control various devices according to the movement, or to obtain data on the movement, an object is detected by using an optical sensor or a motion is captured by using a camera. Use the method.

Here, the method of detecting the movement of an object using the camera after analyzing the movement is accurate, but it is inconvenient to use and economical efficiency is deteriorated because various expensive equipment must be used. Therefore, in the present invention, a method of detecting a user's movement using a motion sensor using an optical sensor is applied. Since the motion sensor is a well-known sensor that is already well known for detecting the movement of the human body, its detailed description is omitted.

If the user's movement is not detected as a result of detecting the movement in the step S111 (when the user goes to sleep or the user leaves the room without watching television), the microcomputer 140 moves to the step S113 and moves the movement. This unchecked time will be examined. The time checked is called elapsed time.

In step S115, the elapsed time is compared with a preset time set for power saving of the television.

Herein, the setting time indicates a time set for eliminating inconvenience caused by frequent power-off when the user is away from the TV for a while and then watches the television again. For example, suppose that a user is watching a television, but the power saving function is turned on, and the user comes back to watch the television without being turned off for a while, but the user's movement is not detected in this case. If you turn off the television immediately, the user must come back and turn on the television again, and the inconvenience of having to turn the power saving function back on. Therefore, in such a case, the power is automatically turned off by the power saving function, the power is turned on again by the user, and the user is repeatedly turned off and then immediately returned. It is a case. As a matter of fact, everyone knows that there is no advantage in terms of power consumption when the TV is frequently turned on / off in a certain amount of time, and only the inconvenience of the user turning on the power and turning on the power saving function again. It can be seen that it occurred.

Therefore, in order to solve the inconvenience and inefficient problem of the power saving function, the user's movement is not detected unless the minimum time (for example, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes) has elapsed for a set time. If not, it will prevent the television from being turned off immediately. Although the setting time has been described as 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and the like, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be easily changed and set by the manufacturer or by the user's setting.

On the other hand, if the elapsed time is less than the set time as a result of the comparison in step S115, the process moves to step S109 to repeatedly perform the motion detection operation of the user.In contrast, if the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the set time, the process moves to step S117. By automatically turning off the main power of the television through the power control unit 150 to perform a power saving function.

According to the present invention described above, when the power saving function detects the movement of the viewer through a motion sensor (motion sensor), if the movement is not detected for a certain time, the power of the television can be automatically turned off to save power.

In addition, when the user decides only whether to use the power saving function, the power supply of the television is automatically controlled, thereby providing convenience to the user.

Claims (5)

In the power supply automatic control device of the television which automatically controls the power supply of the television for power saving, A power saving function selection unit for generating a selection signal for a power saving function in response to a user operating a power saving function selection switch; Motion detecting means for detecting a motion of the user; A microcomputer that searches for motion information acquired from the motion detection means when the power saving function signal is generated by the power saving function selection unit, and automatically generates a power control signal for powering off when the user's motion is not detected for a predetermined time; ; And a power control unit for automatically turning off the main power supply of the television in response to the power control signal output from the microcomputer. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motion detection means is a motion sensor that detects a user's motion by using ultrasonic pulses. In the television automatic control method comprising a power saving function selection unit, a motion detection unit, a microcomputer, a power control unit, Periodically checking whether a power saving function is selected when the television operates; Detecting the movement of a user by driving the movement detecting means when the power saving function is selected; Checking a time (elapsed time) when the movement of the user is not detected if the movement of the user is not detected; And comparing the elapsed time with a preset set time in order to automatically control the power of the television, and automatically controlling the power of the television according to the result. 4. The power supply of claim 3, wherein the controlling of the power of the television automatically comprises automatically turning off the television when the elapsed time is equal to the set time or when the elapsed time passes the set time. Automatic control method. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the setting time is a time set for eliminating inconvenience caused by frequent power-off when the user is away from the TV for a while and then watching the television again. How to automatically control the power of the television.

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